The Royal Oak lay empty and abanoned for seven years following the closure of the pub in 2007. After strong oposition from Swallowcliffe residents and past patrons of the pub, planning applications to convert the building into housing were declined. 

After much deliberation, three local residents took on the pub with the plan to create a thriving business, cementing The Royal Oak back into the heart of the community and creating "a pub where people leave happier than when they arrive".

The refit took over a year to complete and was not without major difficulties. The grade two listed building was in dire repair and required great care to bring it back to its former glory, however the restoration team triumphed, receiving Salisbury Civic Society's award  for outstanding work to an existing building" in 2016