Off Topic The old farmhouse.......Update 14th April 2017

Have just got back from Town and popped round to see if the old farmhouse was open.
Sadly it is not......There is a notice outside stating because of the death of Barrie Short the pub is closed. It gives no indication as to when it is likely to be open again.
We did see a property specialist agency vehicle outside, so it is likely at a guess his wife is selling the Business.
Whether it will re-open as a pub at this moment is conjecture especially with all the building going on around it. Time will tell.
Rest in peace Barrie Short!!

 

Thanks, Beddy. Guess we have until April 1 now to decide where we will meet up before games. Any thoughts on somewhere else about the same distance from the ground?

RIP Barrie Short, indeed. Very sad all around.

 

Does anyone know the Kingsland Tavern in St. Mary's Street? Never been there but it's quite close to the ground. One I have been to a few times is the Royal Oak at the bottom of Hoglands Park, opposite the end of Chapel Road. Trouble is, anywhere close to the ground will get packed unless you get in early!

 

Kingsland Tavern is tiny. Not many tables etc. at all.

Last time I was in there was Walsall in League 1.

Royal Oak is shut isn't it?

 

No idea, I don't live in Southampton!

 

The Royal Oak has been demolished.

 

Didn't know that! Maybe those of you who live in the city could lobby the Council to have the Old Farmhouse registered as a Community Asset, so that it would be more difficult to use it as anything other than a pub.

 

Beefy's house?

 

I've gone to the Prince Of Wales for the last couple of home games. Bit of a ****hole, but a decent size with a garden too. Also as close to the ground as you can possibly get.

You want somewhere with a garden really with the Summer coming up.

 

Good shout, close to where I normally park in Radcliffe Road too!

 

Believe it or not but it is actually quite difficult to change the planning designation for a pub. Given the amount of development planned for the area this could be and probably already is a community asset and has good long term prospects as a pub.

 

Before the Old Farmhouse, I used to go to either the Hub (only because I park there) or the London (...I had no idea for a season...locals will tell you). Still like the London on Matchday (and only not midweek lol)

 

You're right up to a point Godders, but I would say the emphasis is the other way round. If the pub is registered as a Community Asset then it is more difficult to change the designation to something else. The important thing is to make sure that it is registered. I've seen far too many pubs redeveloped into something else in my area to be complacent about it!

 

It is true there was activity in and around the pub so who knows it may well open again. I have not been to that area for a few months so was astounded at the building work going on in and around that area. I thought it inappropriate to ask questions of the people outside milling around.

 

It will probably reopen under a new landlord if the figures add up.

 

I've been there on a non-matchday and I think there were six people in there. Not hopeful, I'm afraid.

Went to the Guide Dog instead for the last game. Best (and cheapest) beer in Southampton.

Vin

 

Guide Dog is an absolutely fantastic pub!

 

Agreed, easily the best boozer in the city. Problem is, unless you can get in the GD before 1.00pm for the 3 pm KO you'll be standing up.. We go to the Junction and park pre match, then walk to ST Mary's alongside the river via the boardwalk and the Guide Dog post match. Hic..

 

The Guide Dog looks like a possible one then, not too much further from SMS than the Farmhouse.

 

Yeah, a Ramblers mate of mine keeps on telling me that The Guide Dog is really good these days. Thing is, about 25 years ago I was served a pint of Wadworths 6X in there by the very surly owner/barman. It wasn't in good nick at all, and when I asked if he could take the fast diminishing head off it he said 'we serve pints and that's it in here'. I took one sip and said, 'Well you best keep it then, seeing as you can't serve it properly", and walked out. I did vow never to return. I might have to go back on that seeing as the owner has changed.