The grade II listed Jolly Sailor public house, Land's End Road, Old Bursledon was yesterday granted a temporary reprieve from major building works which would have resulted in the loss of a great deal of its historic interior.

Following a campaign by the pub's locals together with CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, officials at Eastleigh Borough Council have decided to ask for the plans to be re-submitted for listed building consent.

The pub's owners, Hall & Woodhouse, had (as part of major works to extend the kitchen and staff facilities) planned to rip out the two existing bars and replace them with a new single bar in another part of the building. This would have resulted in the complete destruction of the pub's character and traditional feel, as well as the loss of an old flagstone floor and real fire in the back bar. The front (riverside) room of the pub would have had its bar completely removed, destroying its atmosphere.

South Hampshire CAMRA branch chairman Ian Black said, "This is very welcome news. Support for our campaign is unprecedented, with over 500* petition signatures in less than a week, a great many from concerned locals and pub regulars. The traditional interior of the Jolly Sailor clearly has a place in the hearts of very many people and its reputation is widespread. It would be a tragedy to see it spoilt and all credit to Eastleigh Borough Council for deciding to review these plans and help protect our heritage. The campaign is not over yet but this is an important step forward."

He added: "We have no objection to the proposed expansion of the kitchen facilities or other external alterations; but the plans for the interior amount to ripping the heart out of the pub. It's part of the local heritage and, particularly given its listed building status (which includes the interior), we feel that the owners have a duty to preserve it in its current form."

Local resident Mary Foulkes said, "I have lived in the village all my life and the Jolly Sailor holds many fond memories for me. It is such a lively and popular pub with its own special character and cosy, welcoming interior. I hope Hall and Woodhouse will be able to find a way of improving the kitchen and food service facilities without destroying the traditional character of the front and back bars. The existing bars are the heart of the pub and removing them would kill off its unique atmosphere."

Background Information

The Jolly Sailor is located on the banks of the River Hamble. It was built in 1713, has been a pub since 1845 and is a Grade II Listed building. The pub is in the Good Pub Guide and has been listed in the Good Beer Guide. The pub is also located in a conservation area. The Jolly Sailor's reputation is widespread, greatly enhanced in the 1980s when it featured prominently in the highly popular BBC TV series "Howard's Way".

For Further Information

Southern Hampshire CAMRA website: https://www.shantscamra.org.uk/campaigns/jollysailor/

The website contains all campaign details and digital photos of the inside of the Jolly Sailor. Please feel free to make use of these photographs and/or the high resolution (2400x1800 pixels) versions that are also available there.

• Pat O'Neill, South Hants CAMRA: 023 8064 2246; pat@shantscamra.org.uk
• Ian Black, South Hants CAMRA: ian@shantscamra.org.uk
• Mary Foulkes: mary_foulkes@hotmail.com
• South Hants CAMRA Fax: 07989 958965

* 500 petition signatures are made up of 380 on the website and over 120 on paper.