Attractive looking large Victorian corner pub in a leafy area of Woolston. It looks like the sort of pub that should do well, but has struggled in recent years. When we arrived in Southampton two years ago it was a little run down; the landlord had tried food, but hadn't made it work. The attractive front (or corner) bar was barred to families, and the warnings against carrying weapons and drugs told their own story. The large child friendly beer garden was overgrown and neglected. The ashtrays brimming over with ash and used buts was also off putting. We used the pub, but not as much as we would have if it was better kept. It had closed in 2011, and though it reopened under a new landlord, the owners, Enterprise, were considering selling off the garden to build houses. Back in 2009, a teenager was shot outside the pub.
A review I wrote for BeerInTheEvening in 2015
"Traditional, large, corner location two bar pub with a conservatory addition. Traditional front lounge, with a games room at the side/back. Large beer garden with play equipment. Serves up to five cask ales. Three regulars and up to two guests.
Pub is in a quiet. well-to-do residential area of Woolston, and has great potential. It closed in 2011, and reopened a year later with great ambitions, and publicity regarding a revamped menu. Something happened somewhere along the line, as there is no longer any food served, and there's an air of neglect about the place. It could do with a lick of paint, and the ash trays emptied. The atmosphere is friendly enough, though the pub appears to no longer have ambitions to appeal to families. Loud music is played all day, with live bands in the evenings. Notices warn about searches for weapons. There are plus and minus points, though on the whole I don't feel the pub meets its potential."
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| Beer garden and play area |
In December 2015 there was a change of landlady who has organised for it to be freshly decorated and tidied up. She's also brought back food and reopened the front bar to families. Very promising. I've only been in once since the refurbishment, and that was just for a quick drink in the front bar, but I was impressed at how fresher it looked and at how more relaxed and friendly the place is. I can see that family using this place much more often in future.
Beers are Ringwood Best, Spitfire, Bass and London Pride.
Date: Oct 2016 Score: 5
During the pandemic, the pub turned itself into a shop, and also sold draught beer dispensed into containers. A good resource during a time when draught beer was hard to come by. But it didn't last because there is a long-long shop almost opposite.
Date: June 2020 Score: 6
Popped in on the way to the doctor. Around eight people - all men in later life. Quiet chat of conversation. Two beers on offer London Pride and Bass. I'm having the Bass. Good condition. The back bar and garden is not open. It's a likeable place. Rolls wrapped in cellophane sitting on a plate behind the bar. So traditional.
Date: Aug 2021 Score: 5
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