IS THE KINGS ARMS AT RISK?

Is another Whitchurch pub at risk? Hopefully not.

The rural country town has lost several to developers in recent times, including The Railway, The Harvest Home, and The Red House, although the latter is currently subject of a Planning Appeal.

This week Red Oak Taverns, owners of the 17th-century King's Arms in Church Street have put the popular pub on the market to Let.

Tough times
Pubs have had one of the toughest times of late and many are suffering with increasing brewery costs, massive energy bill increases and and lease restrictions. It is not known why the King's Arms has been made available 'To Let', but if we are to retain these important amenities in our communities we must support them.
This is not just by visiting but also by lobbying government and councils to provide assistance and to recognise the importance of their local economic and social value. 

Popular publicans
The King's Arms is a great pub with hard-working committed publicans who provide a real community welcome and serve Whitchurch well. Numerous events have been held including Live Music, Beer Festivals, Quizzes and food promotions. Terrific people.

They posted on their social media:

'We have decided after 5 years here that it is time to hand over the pub to someone new.
We are here until the end of August and will be smashing out the summer as always.
Thank you all for your support over the past 5 years and we wish whoever follows us here the best of success.'

We also wish them all the very best and hope that whoever takes on the pub continues to maintain the excellence service and fine reputation that has been built up for this fine community pub.

Red Oak Taverns
Red Oak Taverns are an independent pub company founded in 2011. They have around 180 pubs in the UK. 
They say:

"As a pub company we will do all that we can to safeguard the future of each property as a pub. However, due to changes in local demand this is not always possible, and in such circumstances we will always explore the most suitable alternative for the community in question.

We hope Red Oak's plans of the King's Arms are that it remains a pub serving both the local people Whitchurch and those who visit the town.

But for now:
Let's all visit the pub, and raise our glasses with a vote of thanks to the publicans and staff of the King's Arms. Cheers.

SUMMER OF PUB

The annual Summer of Pub campaign, promoted by CAMRA (The Campaign for Real Ale), has been launched.

Events will be organised over the summer months by pubs, breweries and CAMRA groups – including open mic nights, ale trails, pub quizzes and tap takeovers.

Happy Pint is supporting this by listing a large number of local events over the Summer.
See: 
FREE LOCAL EVENTS CALENDAR

Events can be added by using the Contact Form on this Page.

The past few years have presented an enormous challenge for the pub and brewing industry as venues have faced skyrocketing energy and business costs.
The Summer of Pub campaign aims to support and promote pub and club-going throughout the summer and there’s plenty to celebrate.

CAMRA is encouraging its network of members to get their locals involved in the campaign and host events of their own. 

CAMRA’s national campaigns director Nick Boley said:

“I think we’re all looking forward to summer after a tough winter that has seen the pub trade, brewers, and consumers hit hard by parallel cost-of-living and cost-of-business crises.

“The Coronation bank holiday was the perfect time to start Summer of Pub celebrations with a visit to the pub, to enjoy the community spirit that only a pint of real ale or cider down the local can bring.

“I encourage everyone to head to their local and start their Summer of Pub.”

SAVING LOCAL PUBS AND AMENITIES

Communities are being encouraged to bid for new cash to save their local public houses, and other amenities.

The third round of the Government's Community Ownership Fund announced on 12th May, makes it easier for local communities to "seize back control of prized local assets" including their pubs at risk with £1 million available. In addition match funding is being reduced to as low as 10%.
It can also be used for a wide range of other community facilities.

One pub might benefit

For the first time Parish Councils can also apply to the Fund that was previously only available to charities and community groups.

 
The Fund may be of use in one local Hampshire town.
In Whitchurch, the Red House, a valued Listed Building, is closed and awaiting the outcome of an Appeal to change its use to residential property. Meanwhile it is deteriorating and has become an eyesore. 
The Fund is already supporting nearly 100 projects throughout the UK – maybe something for the Whitchurch Town Council to consider give that so many pubs have already closed which has been detrimental to the economic and social needs of the town.

Welcomed by CAMRA
The launch of the third round has been welcomed by the Campaign for Real Ale.
Chairman Nik Antona said:

“Our locals are a vital part of both our social fabric and our local economies. They deserve to be protected as community assets which is why more and more local people up and down the country are taking over their local as a community-owned pub when it is faced with closure, demolition or conversion.

“It is really encouraging to see Levelling Up Ministers announcing today that another round of funding is being made available through the Government’s Community Ownership Fund. This funding is a lifeline for local people who have come together to save their local pub and keep it at the heart of community life.

“I hope that as many communities as possible that are looking to save their local pub submit bids for funding."  

Full details are available on the government’s website:
COMMUNITY FUNDING

SURPRISE AS COMMUNITY PUB CLOSES

The sudden closure of a popular community pub in Micheldever has caused both concern over its future and sadness for its publicans.
In an announcement yesterday (10th May) Paula and Andy published a statement commencing with "With enormous sadness we have ceased to trade with immediate effect".

They cited the effect of Covid, personal illness and the cost of living crisis, saying "any one of those things would be hard to manage".

The pub has a long history, being a drovers inn dating back to 1703. It had been saved by the local community after Greene King put it up for sale in 2018. It reopened just three years ago after a Community Benefit Society was formed and many hours of hard work were spent by local people renovating the premises with the aims of creating a vibrant community hub. It was subsequently bought by two local businessmen and the tenant built up a very popular business catering for all needs. 

With its excellent food, cosy country ambience, the friendly hospitality and a lovely garden, the Half Moon and Spread Eagle had become a popular destination, making the closure even more surprising.

The Future
It is currently not known what the plans are for the pub. Hopefully it will reopen although there are are other threats lurking. Let us hope plans are made that keep it available as a pub for both Micheldever and the those who visit the area.

The publicans are wished all the best and are thanked for all the good times many have enjoyed in the pub.

Below is their full statement.

NEW GREENE KING BEERS

Cask beers have been declining in popularity and sales falling as the 'craft' keg style of beer becomes more established. 
So it is encouraging that Greene King has announced its next three limited edition cask beers and hopefully they will be available in local pubs. They make up part of the 'Fresh Cask Release' series of 18 beers available at various times throughout the year.

PAVE THE WAY is a beer brewed in collaboration with Big Hug Brewery. At 4.6% it is described as being a beer with malty caramel flavours with stone fruits, watermelon and peach. 

The beer supports the 'Only a Pavement Away' charity. 50% of Big Hug's profit will be given to the good cause. The charity was founded by members of the hospitality industry to help deal with homelessness, prison leavers and veterans who are struggling to get into work.

HOPPING SPECIAL is a new 4.2% brew created from five malts with addition of Citra and Galaxy hops to add a fruitiness to the amber beer. The name comes from the train services that were run for families mainly from London who went hop-picking in the 19th and 20th centuries before modern technology was employed. Many of these families will have travelled to hop fields in Hampshire.

St EDMUNDS is a hoppy golden ale at 4.2% brewed with cascade hops and makes a welcome return to the portfolio of cask beers.

The beers also support the Cask Project initiative as a means to try and reverse the fall in cask beer sales. Cask beer is perceived to be a drink for the older generations of drinker and needs an image makeover. It is a product we should all be proud of and enjoy.

Greene King has said:
"Our vision is to reignite the passion for cask within the industry" 

There are several Greene King pubs in the Happy Pint area so why not ask the publican to get one of these beers in.