The King George, Shirley
IT'S not just the smoking ban that's brought an air of change to the King George pub.
Having been taken over by new management in October last year it's reputation is rapidly changing, and for the better.
The King George is a refreshingly typical English pub, avoiding the uniform and depressingly stale feel of a chain pub.
Regulars who stopped coming to the pub because of its former reputation are slowly but surely coming back.
Situated at the end of King George's Avenue the boozer' feels like it has the potential to be at the heart of the community.
To fit with its traditional theme the pub has a dartboard and pool table and in a few weeks will serve real ale, including a guest ale of the month'.
Ringwood Best is to be a permanent feature on the bar and for the debut month it will sit next to Bombadier.
To draw the customers back the pub hosts regular events with a men's darts league on a Monday and a pool league on a Tuesday and Thursday.
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| Barman Lee Elliot |
No typical English boozer would be complete without a quiz, which is also on a Tuesday and usually brings in around 40 participants every week.
To turn things around landlady Rose Johnston has a strict attitude on behaviour. She said: "We've got a zero tolerance policy on under-age drinking, drugs, unacceptable behaviour and bad language.
"We want a community, family orientated pub with a great atmosphere. People who wouldn't want to come in here before will do now."
New barman Lee Elliot added: "It's a lot more of a mature persons pub now, it had a bad reputation before Rose and Wayne came but now it's got one of the best reputations in the area."
JAMES MADEN
The King George, corner of Oakley Road and King George's Avenue, Shirley, Southampton. Tel: 023 8036 3164.
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CommentPosted by: james, southampton on 10:10am Thu 28 Feb 08
another shirley drinking whole within the community hosting a quiz oh how fun what crap prizes.. this place will never take off good riddens to bad rubbish.
another shirley drinking whole within the community hosting a quiz oh how fun what crap prizes.. this place will never take off good riddens to bad rubbish.
Posted by: Tony, Shirley on 2:11pm Wed 26 Mar 08
I'm afraid that past bad reputations linger on. They'll still be calling it the "fighting pub" two or three years from now.
I'm afraid that past bad reputations linger on. They'll still be calling it the "fighting pub" two or three years from now.
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