Transport on Demand – Access to Country Pubs

An exciting new Connect Transport-on-Demand bus service has been launched centred on the Andover (Northern Test Valley area), providing flexible bus journeys in areas that have no public transport.

Importantly the service is available to anyone, including those who enjoy visiting country pubs.

As well as linking local communities and helping many by who have suffered from the cuts by local bus companies, notably by Stagecoach, this could prove to be a lifeline to many village public houses.

Modern minibuses

The pre-bookable service which uses modern well-equipped minibuses (USB, etc), operates where there are no other bus services. The minibuses do not follow a fixed routes or timetables but they do serve around 350 bus stops.

The only requirements are to register in advance, book the journey (by app, online or phone) and to pay the fare which varies from £2 to £5.50.

The service currently runs from 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday with journeys on a first come first served basis which can be booked up to three days in advance.

Local Campaign for Real Ale members are giving full support to this service.

Many pubs have been cut off from customers through the loss of local bus services. This can give them much needed support.
*see below for a list of pubs we have compiled that have a Transport-on-Demand stop nearby – within around a 5-minute walk

Details are here:

https://www.cfirst.org.uk/community-transport/connect-transport/connecttod/

PUB LIST
Public houses with Transport-on-Demand Bus Stops (within approx 5-min walk):
* = current status of pub uncertain
Always check opening times.

Andover Town Centre is served by stops at the
Bus Station, Railway Station and Memorial Hospital.

plus:

Anton Arms Andover

Andover Tap Andover

Southampton Arms Andover

Station Hotel Andover

Clatford Arms Goodworth Clatford

Royal Oak  Goodworth Clatford

Crook & Shears Upper Clatford

Poplar Farm Inn Little Ann

Eagle Abbotts Ann

George Inn Vernham Dean

George & Dragon * Hurstbourne Tarrant

White Hart Stoke

George Inn St Mary Bourne

Mayfly Fullerton

Abbots Mitre Chilbolton

White Lion * Wherwell

Plough Longparish

Cricketers Longparish

Swan Barton Stacey

Oak Smannell

Bell & Crown Hatherden

Lion Clanville

Walnut Tree Appleshaw

Welcome Stranger Kimpton

White Hart Penton Mewsey

White Horse * Thruxton

Hawk Inn Amport

Plough Inn Grateley

White Hart Over Wallop

George Inn Middle Wallop

Peat Spade Longstock

Greyhound Stockbridge

Three Cups Stockbridge

Grosvenor Stockbridge

White Hart Stockbridge

Andover pub wins 'Cider Pub of the Year 2025'

Congratulations are in order for the Andover Tap at the Lamb for having been voted as North Hampshire Cider Pub of the Year for 2025.

Applause rang out as the coveted award was made to publican Tim Abram on behalf of the local CAMRA group by long standing Andover CAMRA member Martin Bennett.

Anniversary
This year is the 50th Anniversary of the Campaign for Real Ale's commitment to supporting traditional cider within its campaigning activities. In 1975 real cider was first made available at CAMRA Beer Festivals and has remained a core part of the Campaign since.

Presentation to Tim Abram (R) by Martin Bennett (L)

(click picture to enlarge)

Traditional cider is rarely available in the north Hampshire area but the Andover Tap at the Lamb always has a wide selection on the bar to enjoy alongside its cask and craft beers.

Real Cider
Most ciders in pubs are poor imitations, created from essences, extracts and concentrates in large industrial factories then served up by the addition of gasses.
Real Cider should be fermented from the whole fruit of pressed apples, without the use of concentrates or chaptalised* juices. 

Real Cider is what can be found in the Tap; traditional, tasty, and extremely enjoyable.

The Andover Tap at the Lamb will now progress through further rounds of the National Cider Pub of the Year Competition.

* The word ‘chaptalised’ as used in the definition refers to a process where the alcohol level in a cider or perry is increased by the addition of sugar to an unnatural level for storage, before it is diluted with water to the desired alcohol content for sale.

Powder Monkey for Andover

Andover will soon be seeing the award-winning Powder Monkey Brewing opening a venue in the High Street. The forward-thinking company that is based at the Priddy Hard Explosion! museum complex in Gosport is taking the lease of the ground floor of the iconic Grade II Listed Guildhall.

Intentions are for a new eating and drinking establishment in a space where relaxation and socialising will be to the fore. 
Hours planned are 9.00am – 10.00pm Monday to Thursday, 9.00am – 11.00pm Fridays and Saturdays, and 9.00am – 9.00pm on Sundays. There will be a breakfast menu, an all day menu, and traditional Sunday roasts.
Drinks will feature "Powder Monkey beers, quality non-mainstream wines, artisan spirits and local coffee". Outside space will also be used when possible.

Powder Monkey
Powder Monkey commenced brewing in the old naval gunpowder store in 2021 where they also set up a visitors' centre and a tasting bar.

They have quickly become established as an exciting growing company. Last year they added the Australian brewery, Willie the Boatman, to their portfolio, while more recently they they purchased the leading independent brewery on the Isle of Wight, Goddards, a brewer more known for its range of traditional cask and bottled beers.

Award
Only last month, Powder Monkey was announced as winning the Brewery of the Year by Portsmouth & SE Hampshire Campaign for Real Ale. 
The brewery said:

"This is a credit to our team who have worked so hard and we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who was enjoyed a Powder Monkey beer this past year and all the fantastic venues helping us bring the beer to you!"

Exciting for Andover
These are exciting times for the hospitality business in Andover, with this announcement quickly following that of Loungers taking on the empty ex-Barclay's Bank premises a few yards further down the High Street.
See:
https://thehappypint.blogspot.com/2025/03/a-new-bar-for-andover.html

A new bar for Andover?

Andover could soon see a major change in its High Street with a new café/bar opening in the old Barclays Bank building.

The company Loungers UK, who are behind the popular Cosy Club and Lounges bars,  have plans to convert the empty 5 High Street building into one of their all day 'neighbourhood café bars'. 

The bars are known for their friendly relaxed atmosphere, with good food, craft beers and other drinks, and their eclectic decor of paintings, photographs, mirrors and lampshades!

Licences are being applied for which include the serving of alcohol from 10am to midnight, and the provision of outdoor pavement area seating.

This could add a new dimension to the vibrancy of the town's High Street.

5 High Street, Andover
Plans to be a new café / bar

Handpump Hijack

While supporting ALL good beer there are many people who especially enjoy a good pint of traditional beer served from a handpump that has been conditioned in the cask in the pub's cellar.

But a twist in dispense methods had appeared. There is a new kid on the block that may mislead.

Unfortunately some 'brewery conditioned' beer is being served through handpumps that may mislead some customers. Unlike cask ale, where the beer continues to brew in the cask due to the presence of yeast, brewery conditioned fresh ale has the yeast removed. The conditioning is finalised in the brewery in the same way as keg beer.

Currently Wainwright Gold, Wainwright Amber and Hobgoblin IPA are sold in this way and the only way to tell them apart from traditionally conditioned cask ales is a small sign on the bottom of the pump clip.

So, if in doubt ask "is it cask?"

Beer Festival returns to Andover

The joint beer festival by the Andover Tap at the Lamb and the local Campaign for Real Ale returns this year and will be held over the first weekend of April (Friday 4th – Sunday 6th April).

With around 20 cask and craft ales, along with a selection of traditional ciders, this friendly event caters for all. There will be traditional bitters, IPAs, porters, stouts as well as modern keg styles to enjoy over the three days. 

There will be a selection of food to purchase and music on Sunday afternoon.

Entry to the festival is free.

The festival opens on Friday April 4th April at 11.00am and runs through until early Sunday evening on the 6th.

The Andover Tap has also won the local Cider Pub of the Year Award for its selection of real traditionally produced ciders. A Presentation is to be made on the Saturday afternoon of this event.

The Boot - Another Community Pub?

Could The Boot Inn at Shipton Bellinger, north of Andover, on the Hampshire / Wiltshire border be the next local community pub?
A campaign by local villagers has got off to a good start.

The Boot, Shipton Bellinger, (Photo by Chris Talbot)

With the formation of the SNAP (Shipton Needs a Pub) campaign and of Shipton Community Pub Ltd, a community benefit society, progress towards a purchase of The Boot Inn for the village has moved up a gear.

Background
After the pub's closure in August 2022 the owners applied to Test Valley Borough Council for a change of use to residential and additional housing.  The owners also placed the pub on the market. 
TVBC rejected the application, but the owners did not give in.

A subsequent application was made and again rejected by Test Valley Borough Council on various policy grounds including that insufficient evidence had been provided to show use as a pub was unviable.
The planners also considered that the proposals "would impact the sustainability of the village", would be "cramped" and "would not be reflective of the existing character and appearance of the area". There are a number of Listed Buildings nearby including the local parish church. 

The Boot is also registered as an ACV (Asset of Community Value),  recognising its intrinsic value to the village.

Support from villagers
Last September (2024), a well-attended meeting of over 80 villagers introduced the Shipton Community Pub Ltd along with its management committee made up wholly of local residents committed to making the re-opening of The Boot Inn a reality. SNAP set out its aims as:

"Our goal is to raise the funds to purchase and reopen The Boot Inn as a thriving, inclusive community hub where residents and visitors can enjoy good company, quality real ales, and delicious food." 

The local MP, Caroline Nokes, also gave her support calling the pub a "beating heart of a community".

Fundraising underway
There are a number of fund raising events in the pipeline, the next being a special jumble sale on 8th February 2025 and SNAP has sent out a call for volunteers who may be able to offer any services and help.

Let's hope that this small Hampshire village can succeed in retaining its valuable public house.  

•

Photo credit:
Shipton Bellinger - The Boot Public House
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Talbot - geograph.org.uk/p/1108422

Contracts Exchanged for Community Pub

The end of 2024 has seen some excellent news with the exchange of contracts for the historic Bell Inn in Odiham as it now moves forward to re-opening as a community owned pub.

The Bell before closure

The Bell Inn, Odiham
The Bell Inn, licenced since 1509 is one of Hampshire's oldest pubs where brewing has reportedly taken place as far back as the Domesday Book. Tucked away in the historic area known as The Bury, opposite the church and the stocks, The Bell is an integral part of this tranquil corner of Odiham. 

An unfair system that closes pubs
As a traditional pub it was primarily a drinks 'wet-led' house and was owned by the national PubCo Admiral Taverns. It was tied for products to Admiral which meant little opportunity for tenants to build the business further, a harsh reality of what many feel is an unfair trading system that needs serious legal changes. This can often lead to a pub being made unviable, sometimes deliberately, in order to obtain a change of use, usually to residential.

Applications were rejected
During covid the pub closed when the publicans retired and, as sure as night follows day, it was subsequently sold to developers who claimed the pub was unviable and had plans for converting it into houses.
In late 2022 after local pressure, the developer's planning application to Hart District Council was refused and a subsequent Appeal to the Planning Inspector was also rejected.  

Local support for retaining the pub
As well as support from the planners the registration of The Bell as an ACV (Asset of Community Value) was a factor in the recognition of the premises as an important local amenity. 

With the social and economic benefits a public house provides to a community, CAMRA's local Pub Protection Officer, John Buckley, calls on all Parish and Town Councils to ensure their pubs are both registered as ACVs and also recognised in Local and Neighbourhood Plans. "Having ACVs and adopted planning policies in place are important tools in an armoury to fight change of use applications. many more pubs need to be registered but it needs local people and their councillors to be proactive in putting them in place. The Campaign for Real Ale can provide advice."

*********
Meanwhile a group of residents formed a team with the aim of purchasing the pub. Finance was obtained through a successful application to the government's Community Ownership Fund and a Share Offer was launched for local people.

On the last day of 2024 the team announced the fantastic news:

"We have exchanged contracts to purchase the Bell.
We will complete and collect the keys on Friday."

Brillant news
Now the hard work towards refurbishing and reopening starts in earnest.

•

The Bell image by Basher Eyre
license under Creative Commons

Community funding under question

In an end of year announcement that has concerned many, the government has closed its Community Ownership Fund which had been made available to allow local people and groups to take on and save community facilities. The closure is despite there still being unallocated funds.
The funding was also available to town and parish councils.

The reason given – or excuse – is pressure on government finances caused by the previous government.

Support for community amenities removed

The scheme, which was to run until the end of 2025, was created to help local groups take on assets such as community halls, leisure facilities, shops, sports grounds, swimming pools, museums, arts centres and local pubs. 

Since its 2021 commencement, 409 projects have received over £140million.

This could have a devastating effect on those working hard to save our country's public houses as well as on groups wishing to take on other community facilities. 

Current efforts

Efforts are now underway by organisations including the Campaign for Real Ale to ensure that assistance remains in other tangible ways. 

This includes discussions with officials in the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government over the current review of other support schemes. These include Assets of Community Value and the hoped for introduction of the Right to Buy to replace the current Right to Bid.

Shocking losses

The scale of long-term pub closures is shocking and the support for the struggling hospitality industry is abysmal. Communities are losing their centres of social interaction, economic benefits and local heritage on a daily basis. 
Here, Happy Pint urges all to lobby their Councils and MPs to support one of the most important cornerstones of our society – the British Pub.

**********************

The Government statement (23rd December 2024)

The Community Ownership Fund is now closed. There will be no further application windows on the COF programme. We have taken this difficult decision due to the challenging inheritance left by the previous government.

Whilst we are closing the Community Ownership Fund, this government remains committed to the communities’ sector and community empowerment.

The government will deliver on its manifesto commitment to replace the community ‘Right to Bid’ with a strengthened ‘Right to Buy’ Assets of Community Value, creating a more robust pathway to community asset ownership. And we will seek to support high streets by strengthening Business Improvement Districts which have helped to improve town and city centres across the United Kingdom for 20 years, while ensuring they operate to high standards and are accountable to their communities. 

Details:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-ownership-fund-prospectus/community-ownership-fund-round-4-prospectus

 

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The Red House – A Conspiracy Theory – or is it?

What is the longer game? 

The latest planning application raises some concerning suspicions over the building's future. A 'new' application has been submitted for the Red House in Whitchurch, a Grade II Listed Building whose closure has been the subject of much controversy. 

Red House garden in its heyday.
Now built upon with three houses.

The once successful and lively pub had been allowed to deteriorate by the owners and has been closed since 2018. After promising to reinvest proceeds into the pub from building houses on the car park the owners gained further permission to convert the pub to residential. Many believe they had been hoodwinked. 

That was mistake number one, accepting the owner's word!

Broken promises
The houses were built and a further application to change the pub to residential was submitted which was granted, but only after a lengthy Appeal.

 
But, despite a time-limit on the application set by the Appeal Inspector still no work has taken place. The building has been deteriorating further with broken windows, rotten window frames, damp, falling rendering and rodent invasion.

A TWIST – WHY ANOTHER APPLICATION?
Now in a 'twist' the owner has submitted another application which is a virtual replica of the first.
The main difference is that they are now claiming to have leased part of the pub out since March 2024 to a tenant for residential use.

This claimed residential letting could mean they would not be liable for any Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), a sum a developer pays which goes towards support for the local area. Yet the only tenants of the near derelict building anyone has seen have been rats, lots of them; so many that complaints were made to the Environmental Health Department.

But is this a red herring as the CIL would be a relatively small amount?

This raises those further suspicions.

WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT?

Come back to the Conspiracy Theory.

IS DEMOLITION NEXT?

Consider this:

• The Appeal Inspector, in allowing the Change of Use, imposed a Planning Condition that works shall begin not later than 3 years from the decision date. 
• That was over 15 months ago on 4th September 2023 and time is moving on. Meanwhile the historic building deteriorates even more.
• Anything that causes delays such as investigation into the claimed tenancy means further dilapidation and a case for demolition becomes stronger.
• THE QUESTION: Is the plan to manipulate delays that lead to further deterioration leaving the only option to demolish and thus reduce building costs rather than having to invest in keeping and renovating the historic structure and features of the Listed Building?
  
• So do the owners want objectors to challenge the CIL/habitation claim in order to deliberately create those delays?

And coming back to how the community was mislead over investment in the pub can there be any trust? Any at all?

A FRUSTRATING FARCE

What is certain is that the whole sorry caboodle is becoming a frustrating farce and it seems the councillors and planners don't have enough teeth to ensure the applicant/owner doesn't run rings around them. 

Meanwhile the pub users and local residents have lost a valuable amenity. 

It is not their fault, but that of a very weak planning system that places developers wishes above those of local people, a failure is being worsened by the actions of a developer who has lost any local trust.

The 'latest' Planning application documents (ref: 24/02820/FUL) can be viewed here:

https://planning.basingstoke.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SNVNDVCRG8N00&activeTab=summary

Pubs and Charities

The public house provides a local community many benefits but there is one that is often overlooked when they are threatened by closure – their support for local charities.

£100 million raised annually
It is reported by Pub Aid that pubs raise more than £100million each year for charity which goes back into supporting a plethora of good causes.

Whether its a quiz evening, a swear box, or a red nose fancy dress, local pubs are a major fundraising source. From meat draws to auctions and haircuts the list of opportunities for a pub is almost endless. 
There are few pubs without the charity pot on the bar where even the odd pennies of change dropped in the slot will soon add up and help a good cause. 

Attracting customers
Fundraising goes further too, as it can attract customers. In an independent survey commissioned for CAMRA and PubAid, research showed that more people would use their local pub if more charity events were held. This was especially the case for younger adults.

Many pubs raise funds for specific causes.
One favourite local pub in Andover has chooses a charity for the year and runs a number of events. The last year has seen the Andover Tap at the Lamb raise over £2300 for the Alzheimers Society, through a raft of events ranging from a hairdressing event to a cycle ride. It has now just started to raise funds for its next chosen charity, Naomi House which provides hospice care for children and young adults.

£2370 raised by The Andover Tap at the Lamb

From Coffee mornings to Quizzes
Another popular fundraising event is running coffee mornings and several local pubs excel, including the popular Anton Arms and others in Andover that raise funds for cancer support.

Pub Quizzes are also of the most popular events that raise funds for charities.

A local town and its Quizzes
The north Hampshire town of Whitchurch also excels with regular quizzes in many pub venues. 

A popular theme is to raise funds in order to run a to run a community swimming pool, while another is to provide support to Whitchurch in Bloom whose volunteers add colourful planting to the town's streets.

Bish's lockdown quizzes
are now held in the Kings Arms

Onwards from Covid
One of the town's most regular quizzes is held started online during lockdown and has now continued in the Kings Arms where 'Bish' runs numerous fundraising evenings.
Also watch out for the landlord Steve Howard's infamous Tin Foil Challenge. That really is fun!

Value to Communities – JOIN IN
The value of the Pub to charities and is all too often ignored when a pub is under threat of development.

All we can say is JOIN IN – visit your local pub and not only enjoy the hospitality of good refreshments and entertainment but also know that you can be supporting your local community.

•

"Time to save our Pub" – Half Moon & Spread Eagle

In June 2023 we reported that an entry on 'Micheldever Village' social media stated:

"I am thrilled to be able to announce that the Half Moon and Spread Eagle is back in business! It will re-open in early July".

UPDATE: So what has now happened?
It is now 16 months on and there are changes underway.
 
A call has been put out "Time to save our pub?"

In 2019 Nick Warr and Phil Penton purchased the Half Moon & Spread Eagle on behalf of the community but have endured several tough challenges to keep it operating. A survey and leaflet is now being circulated that states "Now five years later, they can no longer support the pub".

Two main options are being considered, either new investors buy the pub or the community takes ownership and runs it.

A questionnaire has been launched to assess if there is enough interest for a community purchase and if a 'Community Enterprise' should be formed. If so this would lead to the creation of a community owned company with shareholders who would have the pub managed by an elected board.
As well as ascertaining support for their being shareholders, the questionnaire also aims to seek out people who could provide services such as accountancy, PR, gardening or other volunteering activities.

The questionnaire is to be returned by the 31st October, after which there is to be a community meeting at 6.00pm on Friday 15th November in Northbrook Hall.

Let us all wish the Micheldever community well and that there is enough tangible and active support to keep this pub as an important asset to the village and wider area.

The online questionnaire is here:

https://form.jotform.com/242773127754361

The leaflet being circulated:

Microbrewery and bar approved for Overton

The plans for a new bar and microbrewery in Overton have taken a step forward as Basingstoke & Deane Development Control Committee approved the planning application this week (Wed.9th October).

Permission has now been granted for the creation a new bar, micro-brewery and kitchen at No.7 High Street, a former hair and beauty salon (Hobbs).

7 High Street, Overton

The premises consists of a two-storey building that is believed to date from the 15th/16th centuries but has undergone significant changes although much of the timber framing remains. It is registered as a Listed Grade II building.

Support was high
Councillors heard from the applicant's architect who focussed on the responses from the main consultees, including HCC Highways, Archaeology, Environmental Health, Historic Environment, Southern Water and Biodiversity. All were registering a No Objection. 

In addition he noted the high number of letters of support from local residents. 77 were in support while only 12 were opposed, with most seeing such an establishment as a welcome addition to the village high Street. Support also came from the local Campaign for Real Ale citing the wider community benefits that such an establishment can provide. 

The Parish Council 
However, Overton Parish Council had objected citing issues such as a possible increase in anti-social behaviour. In a statement that has raised some eyebrows they also stated they "wish to discourage any further opportunities to organise social drinking or beer festivals". 

The present inside

Noting that the village already has a number of pubs the Parish Council also expressed concern that:
"Creating yet another venue must run the risk of encouraging more alcohol consumption – which is not warranted in such a small village."

Concerns dealt with by owners
A few other residents expressed worries over parking and transport, potential noise and odours, all of which had been dealt with by the planners and the business owners.
During the meeting it was stressed how helpful the owners had been on considering local concerns in making adjustments to the plans, one main change being the removal of the rear outside seating area.
Planners have imposed a number of 'Conditions' which the owners must now comply with before work can commence.

Plans for the main building
The ground floor of the main building will contain comfortable seating including sofas and stools, along with the bar with 2 – 5 steel serving tanks, 5 – 7 taps, an area for preparing cocktails and space for fridge, dishwasher and sink. Upstairs is an area that can be "booked for private dining/ more intimate setting with mixture of sofas, bar stools..."

Two unisex WCs will also be upstairs and the brief included a request to the architect "To include area for makeup/hair etc." To the rear there is a long narrow stretch of land where, at the end, the micro-brewery and kitchen will be situated.

This will be a great addition to the village and we all look forward to the opening and a visit.