A new Whitchurch Pub is questioned

Whitchurch will be a step nearer having have a new public house if a controversial housing scheme is approved. 

Genko, a property company based in Guernsey, has submitted a full planning application on green fields at Berehill on the northern edge of the small Hampshire town. Their proposals are for 115 houses, open space, workshops, pumping station and a public house, which they provisionally name The Bere Hill.

The rural town of Whitchurch is currently a target for speculative developers as the government sets ever higher housing numbers and there are already large housing schemes underway. Many believe this is over-development in a town known for its country setting and local heritage with campaigners' signs having appeared saying 'No to Genko'.

Unusual suggestion
A new public house within a housing area is an unusual suggestion in these particularly harsh times for the hospitality trade in which Whitchurch has experienced mixed fortunes.
Currently the town’s historic Red House is falling derelict, while several other pubs have closed in recent years. Proposals for new pubs in similar situations have also floundered at Augusta Park and Picket Twenty in Andover.

Pubs are flourishing
However some have flourished such as the Plough Inn at nearby Longparish which was bought by the local community and is going from strength to strength and the other pub in the same village, the Cricketers Inn, has recently re-opened to critical acclaim.

There is also a current application for a new bar and micro-brewery in nearby Overton but on the downside the Dove Inn at Micheldever is closing, although it is not expected to be permanent.

Suspicion
There is much suspicion that Genko have misread local needs and have included a pub to divert discussion away from the greater concerns surrounding the scale of their housing proposals. 

The Campaign for Real Ale's local Pub Protection Officer said:

"A great many might prefer that Genko went away and didn’t build anything at all, and that customer support went to the existing excellent pubs – the Kings Arms, White Hart, Bell, Prince Regent and the Sports & Social Club – and along the road the Watership Down and in nearby local villages." 

 

"A new pub is always welcome but whether this is a suitable location is extremely questionable".

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THE PLANNING APPLICATION
The planning application can be seen on Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council's planning portal, reference: 24/01949/FUL
https://planning.basingstoke.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SINSZICRKKT00&activeTab=summary

The Dove to close

Another local pub is closing this month as the Dove Inn shuts its doors at the end of September.

The Grade II Listed Building at Micheldever Station which recently gained planning permission for additional letting rooms is both on the market for sale and/or for a new tenant. 

Earlier this year the planners approved a new building at the rear to replace the old coach house which would provide five new letting rooms. The applicant, Lochstill Ltd, submitted the plans to complement the accommodation within the existing main building of the Inn, and to improve its commercial viability. 

Although the pub is for sale these plans are still very much 'live'. There is a lot of potential, and with a possible 3,000 house development nearby at Popham the future could change.

The Dove is currently listed for sale freehold at a guide price of £790,000 or as a premises under a lease with the agents saying:

"The business provides a tremendous opportunity for an experienced operator either looking to run a successful business themselves or alternatively, looking for a business to lease or run under management."

Let us hope a buyer comes forward or someone takes on the tenancy.

The Dove Inn closes at the end of September. 

Beer Festival in Basingstoke

A fine selection of beers along with good food and music will be available at the Basingstoke Beer Festival over the first weekend in September (Fri 6th – Sun 8th)

To be held at the Basingstoke Sports & Social Club (aka the Cricket Club) at Mays Bounty, over 30 beers will be available along with a selection of ciders.
Included are a range of styles from bitters and porters through to speciality beers.

The Festival, which is FREE to attend, opens on Friday September 6th at noon and runs through to late Sunday afternoon.

As well as the beers and ciders there is a programme live music on Saturday evening, commencing at 7.00pm, featuring RPM, Johnny Marvel's Blues Groove, Andalou and the Stoke Barehills Town Band.  

Food is being supplied by Greek Street.

It is an event not to miss.

80 pubs a month close

The number of public houses being lost through closure, change of use or demolition is sadly increasing.
A recent report based on the first quarter of 2024 has shown that 80 pubs a month are now closing, a 56% increase on the same period last year.

Gone forever 😢

PUBS AT RISK
In the north of Hampshire perhaps the town with most losses in recent years has been Whitchurch where the Town Council has been asked to take note of its own Neighbourhood Plan and to give maximum protection to its amenities as all pubs are under risk of loss. 

Other locations are also at risk with two of Kingsclere's pubs currently up for sale, one being boarded up, while in Andover several are on the market, shut behind hoardings or are on the cusp of closing.

At the minimum our Councils should be designating all their valuable assets as Assets of Community Value  – and that includes the public house.
Councils please note!

Enjoying the pub

Pubs are a Social Hub
A local pub provides more than just a place for refreshments and entertainment. It can act as the social hub of a community, providing a centre for social interaction, a haven for combatting loneliness, a provider of employment for a whole range of local tradesmen and suppliers, and a generator of economic benefits for a town or village. 

It has been estimated an average public house provides around £80,000 of benefits to a community.

Pub Culture at risk
In the north Hampshire area many have already closed or are on the verge of shutting the doors. In many cases this is due to the greed of the remote pub company which owns the building, leasing it to a hardworking tenant who tries to make a go of it, but then imposes excessive and unrealistic financial conditions. In other cases it may be that a publican wishes to retire or move to another area.

 
What is certain is that our pub culture is at serious risk from a range of different pressures – and our councils can help by recognising that the value of a pub to a community is very much more than just bricks and mortar. 

Please let us save that culture that helps bind our communities together and call upon our councils to use all the powers that they hold to do so.

Whitchurch Club wins CAMRA Award.

The Whitchurch Sports and Social Club (WSSC) has been announced as the North Hampshire CAMRA Club of the Year for 2024 and was awarded their certificate last Saturday (1st June) when the organisation held its AGM at the club. 

The Social Club now joins other clubs selected in the Wessex area and will be independently judged over the next six weeks. These are in Corfe Castle, Portsmouth, Salisbury, and Cowes Isle of Wight with the Wessex winner reaching the final sixteen in the UK.

Below:
Local CAMRA Chairman Keith Sturton presents the Whitchurch Sports & Social Club with its Award.

Whitchurch Sports and Social Club is well known for one of the most comprehensive offering of amenities, and events programmes, bringing some of the 'Big Names' to the town holding regular concerts, dinner evenings and discos as well as private bookings. It takes great pride in the quality of its beers and regularly supports local independent breweries.
The premises are also the home of Whitchurch Utd Football Club and also house squash courts and both indoor and outdoor bowling facilities.

North Hampshire CAMRA has nearly 600 local members and selects its award winners by nominations and a detailed judging process that covers such topics as community focus, inclusivity and commitment to customer service. It also runs an online Beer Scoring scheme where members can record pub visits and beer quality which then feeds into its Awards as well as into the Good Beer Guide selection for the area.

It is is part of the national campaign of nearly 150,000 members and is currently planning a local Beer Festival in September in Basingstoke as well as organising a number of social events. It is also updating the online pub guide for the North Hampshire area and is campaigning where pubs are at serious risk of closure.

Below:
Whitchurch Sports & Social Club at Longmeadow, Whitchurch.
North Hampshire Club of the Year 2024

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Historic Red House is falling derelict

Further deterioration is taking place at the Red House in Whitchurch as the Grade II Listed Building within the Conservation Area becomes an increasing eyesore on the street scene following the granting of an Appeal against a Change of Use.

An eyesore was predicted
This was predicted when the owner had previously promised to invest monies in the pub business from the building of housing on the car park evaporated into thin air.
Many feel they were hoodwinked as the owner subsequently applied for conversion of the pub to residential use.

While planners and Councillors objected from both Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council and Whitchurch Town Council along with many local residents to the loss of the public house, the applicant lodged an Appeal against their decision to refuse change of use.

Following a Government Inspector's site visit in July 2023 the Appeal was regrettably allowed.

The building is now becoming derelict
To date no work has yet been undertaken and the historic building continues to rot away to the town's dismay. However there is much in the Inspector's Report that refers to the importance of the historical value of the building and to its position within the Conservation Area and the Whitchurch street scene.

The Report states:

"The overall form and main façade of the appeal building is a key building within the CA (Conservation Area), and contributes to the character and appearance of the CA."

There are also strong references that the proposed works would "secure the building's repair and renovation" and that the new use would "constitute a significant public benefit".

Effect on nearby properties – and rats
And while the owner was wishing to make more monies the effect has probably had a negative effect of the values of nearby properties. There have even been reports of rats seen in the vicinity which cannot be good for health or value.

So when will those works commence?

Duty of Councils
Whilst the pub's use may be lost through the granting of the Appeal our Councils still have a duty towards the historic building. Local planning authorities have powers they can use, including compulsory purchase to remedy deliberate neglect or damage. Will they use them?

As the applicant has not commenced any work and the site is now virtually derelict, the question to our Councillors must now be how will retention of the historic building be accomplished?
What actions will be taken on the lack of progress and to prevent more of the structure falling into the street below and the town's character and heritage further lost?

Details of what can be actioned are here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-upkeep-and-repair-of-historic-building

 

 

What action will now be taken?

Andover Tap at the Lamb receives two Awards

The Andover Tap at the Lamb has received the North Hampshire overall Pub of the Year Award along with the associated Cider Pub of the Year accolade.

At a presentation in the packed Andover pub at the weekend, owner Tim Abram received the certificates from the Chairman of the local Campaign for Real Ale Branch, Keith Sturton.

left to right:
Willow and Matt (bar staff extraordinaire);
Tim Abram, Owner of The Andover Tap at the Lamb;
Keith Sturton, local CAMRA Chairman.

Presently a team of judges is visiting the other local winners in the Region which includes entries from Dorset, the Isle of Wight, Wiltshire, and the Channel Islands as well as from the rest of Hampshire. All have been selected by an independent process not linked to any commercial concerns.

A successful pub
Along with a fine selection of cask ales, craft keg beers and real ciders from mainly local producers, regular events are held at The Tap including food nights, games sessions, quizzes, BBQs, brewery visits, and an annual cycle ride. It is also a venue for the long established Lamb Folk Sessions as well as holding occasional music events.

Gin and Beer Festival
Coming soon there is also a Gin and Beer Festival in conjunction with the next door Gin Palace over the weekend of Friday 24th May to Sunday 26th May.
This Festival will feature both beer and gin that is produced on the premises.

Can it go further?
It is hoped the Andover Tap at the Lamb may follow in the footsteps of the excellent Wonston Arms near Sutton Scotney which went on to win the prestigious National Pub of the Year in 2018.
Both pubs show that to focus on the local community, putting the customer first, and showing that providing an excellent selection of independent beers and ciders can lead to success.

The Andover Tap at the Lamb and the Gin Palace.

Tim Abram, owner of The Andover Tap at the Lamb.

A pub where friendly conversation and good company rules.

Cheers!

Support required to help Ecchinswell pub

A country village pub has applied to extend its premises to help it survive.
It makes a pleasant change to the more usual applications that call for changes of use and even demolition. 

The Royal Oak in Ecchinswell, a traditional village pub to the west of Kingsclere, has submitted plans to Basingstoke Borough Council.

Work required
The applicant says the pub was deteriorating and that the previous tenant went into liquidation in early 2023, resulting in closure of the pub.
Work is now required to bring the pub up to standard to ensure its survival, and to provide further dining capacity, kitchen space and staff accommodation. There are also plans to provide some guest accommodation and improved WC facilities which are all required to provide a viable long-term business.

Royal Oak is the village's only pub
Ecchinswell is a small village with few other facilities. The Royal Oak dates from the 17th century and is recognised as a 'notable building' within the village Conservation Area.
It is the only public house in the village, with the next nearest being in Kingsclere.

Communities lose out
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) figures show that last year 1,293 businesses closed and were lost to their communities while the Institute for Policy Research reports that pubs inject an average of £80,000 into their local communities.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Support for this application is sought
The Parish Council currently supports the application and at the time of writing this there are 9 Objections and 27 in Support.

However more comments to support a local business that could disappear would help.
Public houses maintain vitality in villages, provide social interaction, supply employment and economic benefits, combat loneliness and enhance well-being in a community, support rural tourism and provide a focal point for both local people and visitors.
Our pubs need all the help they can get.


The application can be seen here:
(To comment you will need to register)
https://planning.basingstoke.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=S6C3GECRJY900&activeTab=summary

Handpump Hijack campaign launched

A warning that consumers may be confused by the use of handpumps for keg beer has been issued by Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Handpumps mean Cask Conditioned Beer

The Carlsberg Marstons Brewing Company (CMBC) plans to serve keg beer through handpumps which beer drinkers widely understand as usually being exclusively used for cask conditioned beer.

Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has asked for investigations into whether the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations have been breached.

Trading Standards contacted
The Campaign has written to National Trading Standards and Trading Standards Scotland asking for an investigation into the products, which use a cask handpump to serve the beer, which is kegged rather than cask conditioned.

The Handpump Hijack Campaign
This is the start of the ‘Handpump Hijack’ campaign to raise awareness of misleading beer dispense, and make sure that the handpump remains a signifier of cask-conditioned beer.

Gillian Hough, National Director and Chair of CAMRA’s Real Ale, Cider and Perry Campaigns Committee, said:

“CAMRA believes that these practices come under the scope of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, as the average consumer may choose to buy the product on the basis that they believe it to be cask conditioned beer, which in this case it is not.  

 

She also says:

Handpumps are uniquely British and are synonymous with cask beer and we believe that CMBC’s attempts to hijack the handpump to serve kegged beer will only lead to consumer confusion. The impact of this pernicious misleading dispense will affect the reputation and availability of cask conditioned beer in all pubs and social clubs. 

 

We would like National Trading Standards to urgently investigate whether CMBC’s Fresh Ale concept, sold via misleading use of cask handpumps thereby presenting as a version of cask beer, is confusing to customers. "

and

CAMRA firmly believes that the traditional British handpump should continue to be used exclusively to dispense cask-conditioned beer or their traditional cider and perry equivalents. 

Local Pub of Year Winner

A local Andover pub that had been saved and re-opened only two years ago has been selected for two awards by the local Campaign for Real Ale group for north Hampshire.

 
The Andover Tap at the Lamb was voted by local members to receive the North Hampshire Pub of the Year accolade along with the associated  Cider Pub of the Year Award.
This is the first step in the National Pub of the Year competitions. 

UPDATE:

A presentation of the awards will be made at 2.00pm on Saturday 4th May.
Everyone welcome.

The Andover Tap at the Lamb

Around 250 pubs were eligible in an area that stretches across the northern reaches of Hampshire including the main centres of Andover and Basingstoke.
Hartley Wintney and Odiham are included to the east; Whitchurch, Sutton Scotney and Stockbridge are to the west, and Tadley and Kingsclere are to the north. The pubs are visited and judged by local members on a wide range of criteria.

Popular owner,
Tim Abram

The next step
The pub has now been forwarded for the Wessex Regional Award which includes entries from Dorset, the Isle of Wight, Wiltshire, and the Channel Islands as well as from the rest of Hampshire. Independent teams of judges will be visiting these over the next few months.

The Lamb Inn
The Andover Tap, owned by Tim Abram, moved into the historic Lamb Inn in Winchester Street just over two years ago along with Wessex Spirits, who run the lovely Gin Palace in the rest of the Listed Building. Previously the pub had been closed having been a canteen for an insurance company who had bought it from Wadworths.

As well as a fine selection of cask ales, craft keg beers and real ciders from mainly local producers, regular events are held including food nights, games sessions, quizzes, BBQs, brewery visits, and an annual cycle ride. It is also a venue for the long established Lamb Folk Sessions as well as holding occasional music events. Meanwhile each year an Ale and Gin Festival is held in conjunction with the Gin Palace (this years event is 24th–26th May 2024).

The pub also houses a small micro-brewery and has started to produce some special house beers under the apt name of Ewe Brew.

Conversation rules in the Andover Tap at the Lamb

A unique and welcoming pub
Tim Abram and his wonderful staff have created a unique independent and inclusive pub in the town that caters for, and welcomes everyone. It is definitely not a pub to miss and with the Gin Place next door shows the value of independent businesses in providing top quality service. 

Massive congratulations are due, along with the best of wishes as the pub moves forward towards the ultimate accolade of National Pub of the Year. Fingers are crossed.

The wonderful staff are will always give a friendly welcome
(here are Willow and Matt)

Cheers!

A Call-out for Brewdog

Amongst traditional ale drinkers Brewdog can be a bit of a 'marmite' company. There is no doubt it has had a strong influence in the growth of craft beers and the introduction of a range of exciting taste innovations but it can also be controversial.

However it is good to report a very local and positive move by the company.

Raising Funds for a local school
A recent fund raising Spring Auction by the Friends of Whitchurch Primary School (FOWPS) saw Brewdog offer two Lots - each of value £40 to be used "on anything you please - Beer, Food, Merch & Beer Schools Galore in a Brewdog Bar".

One Voucher was paired with an Overton Rugby Season Membership for one child (aged Year 6 or below) and raised £50, while the other was stand-alone and raised £33 for the Primary School.

Over £1500
In all, the Spring Auction raised over £1500 for the School. All the money raised goes directly to enriching the lives of our local school children.

So a well-done to Brewdog for helping a local worthy cause.

Brewdog, Festival Place, Basingstoke

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About FOWPS

The Friends of Whitchurch Primary School or FOWPS are a registered charity whose mission is to enrich the educational experience and enhance the well-being of all the children at school.

We bring together parents, teachers and children and raise funds and strengthen our school community. The committee is made up of volunteer parents, of which three are compulsory members and trustees. We raise money for the school through donations, sponsored events and activities.

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Famous Pub and Mural could be destroyed – Weyhill Fair

A pub that has a long history in the local pub and beer scene is at risk of being demolished and an amazing artwork mural lost if an application being placed before Test Valley Borough Council is approved.

The Weyhill Fair just outside Andover has been closed since January last year after a series of licensees ran the business following its sale to Fullers Smith & Turner, a brewery now owned by global brewing company Asahi of Japan. Fullers are also closing other pubs, including the Fox at Newfound.

Pub losses
The closure had left Weyhill without a pub with the nearby Star having closed some years ago and converted into a restaurant while the next nearest, The Bell, is also long term closed.  

The success of the Weyhill Fair
When a Free House under the ownership of Dave and Jan Rayner, the Weyhill Fair had been developed into one of the most successful real ale and good food pubs in the area.
Dave and Jan had become famous for being leaders in supporting independent breweries and had introduced also a very successful annual Beer and Music Festival that continued after they retired. 
Another casualty of this application may be the loss of use of the field to the Andover Whippet Club, a long time user of the land.

Award winning, but then Fullers came along
The pub had previously been awarded the coveted Wessex Campaign for Real Ale Pub of the Year as well as winning many local accolades. It became one of the longest running entries in the national Good Beer Guide, known by many as the "Beer Drinkers Bible" and was a regular venue for CAMRA meetings.
However under Fuller's ownership it has been far less successful as is often the case under companies with less local community commitment and who may wish to cash in on residential land values at the expense of community facilities.

THE APPLICATION

Plans for nine large houses
The planning application submitted for Rivendale Developments is for complete demolishment of the pub and the subsequent building of nine three and four bed dwellings.

The Sun Inn before its name change

The application shows little regard for the pub building and there has been no detail provided on whether any independent historic assessment has been carried out.
The present building seems to be at least 18th century and pictures from the turn of the century, when it was called The Sun, show at least the frontage largely unaltered from today. 

In addition the applicant's reports on marketing the pub have a bias towards future development of the site rather than it being placed for sale 'as a pub' or indeed as any other use.
The non-viability as a public house has therefore not been adequately shown.

These concerns are amongst those being made to Test Valley Borough Council.
The Council should not allow any change of use, let alone demolition without taking these critical issues into account. As such the application should be rejected.
Objections can be lodged here:
https://view-applications.testvalley.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SAECMNQCHO800&activeTab=summary

ANOTHER MAJOR CONCERN – the famous Mural

Of major concern is the potential loss of an amazing painted mural that covers a wall of the upstairs function room. Anyone using the room would have been awestruck by its content and quality.

The mural depicts the historic Weyhill Fair that was one of the country's largest sheep fairs in medieval times when over 100,000 sheep a day were traded. The Fair was also famous for trading by hops growers, and other farmstock goods. with traders travelling from all over the south of England to attend. 

The demolishing of this pub goes far further than just loss of an eating and drinking establishment.

The famous upstairs mural that covers one wall.

Thank you to Sian Coles for kind use of the above picture
©Sian Coles Photography https://www.siancolesphotography.co.uk/
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It could be saved
The proposed demolishing of the pub could see this tremendous piece of artwork lost forever.
With today's building technology that even allows whole buildings to be moved intact it is believed it could be saved and possibly become part of the nearby Weyhill Fairground Craft Centre or another community facility. 

The Mural must be Saved!
and
The Planning Application as submitted rejected

Objections can be lodged here:

https://view-applications.testvalley.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SAECMNQCHO800&activeTab=summary

Cricketers Inn, Longparish – Closing

News broke today (23rd February) that the popular Cricketers Inn in Longparish is to close, though hopefully not for long.

They published the following:

Hello all, 

we have made the heartbreaking decision to close the Cricketers Inn, we are working hard for a solution to possibly continue next week. Thank you for all of your support, and I am really sorry we have had to close. But there may be a solution next week.

The welcoming and friendly pub has been run by local publican Mark Etherington since March 2020 and is leased from Red Oak Taverns a pub company based in Ipswich and who own 229 pubs across the UK. Red Oak bought the pub from Wadworths brewery in 2019. 

It features in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for 2024 and always serves a good range of traditional brews from its handpumps, including beers from local breweries.
In addition it has a very good reputation for its home-cooked food, its pizza oven and excellent Sunday roasts. Fish and steak dishes also feature highly.
The Cricketers Inn had been registered as an Asset of Community Value in recognition of its importance to the local community.

Recently it had suffered from the drainage issues in the area when the road to the pub had been closed by Southern Water. It also sadly lost its bus service recently when Hampshire County Council removed their support. It had been possible to visit the pub for lunch by public transport.

We hope that The Cricketers Inn will soon be back serving the both local people and visitors to this lovely part of Hampshire.