Email: thepourhouse1719@outlook.com
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OUR STORY
The Early Days
Our wonderful Grade II listed building has been a neighbourhood cornerstone since the late 1600s, during the reign of King William III. Initially known as "a dwelling on The High Street," it began its storied existence with a penchant for libations.
This venerable structure has played host to pubs, housed wine and spirits vendors, sheltered a cobbler, pampered feet as a chiropodist's haven, served up tea as a cafe, and even promoted sobriety as a temperance hotel, among other ventures.
The building boasts a storied past, having operated under numerous business names and home to a colorful cast of characters including owners, tenants, landlords, and servants. In parallel, the street has undergone its own evolution, shifting from The High Street to Bridge Street, before finally embracing its destiny as West Street.
The original pubs, owned by The Carter Brewery, utilised water from the River Avon for brewing their beer and subsequently constructed their family home in the adjacent building, known as The Bridge House.
In a twist fit for a novel, the brewer's last heiress swapped pints for piety, transforming no. 17 into the Albany Temperance Hotel, a haven for the sober-minded.
Post-World War I, these buildings found new life as a members' club, thriving under a committee's care as a not-for-profit venture which continues to this very day.
Becoming a club
The Comrades Club sprang to life post-WWI, snapping up property 19 shortly followed by number 17. As time marched on, it morphed into the British Legion Club and eventually Ringwood Social Club.
Come the 1970s, the club snapped up the neighbouring Foots bakery, paving the way for a grand two-storey hall with a swanky new function suite upstairs. To this day, many reminisce about the club's heyday, hosting everything from wedding bashes to christenings, birthday shindigs and beyond.
The Closure
Ringwood Social Club, once the toast of the 80s and 90s, began to lose its fizz in the 2000s. Saddled with a hefty tab for renovations, shifting trends, mounting debts, and a not-so-merry-go-round of dwindling membership and ballooning expenses, the club finally called last orders and shut down in May 2011.
In the face of the club's impending closure, a spirited squad of local members rallied to form a steering committee. This new team, bound by their affection for the building's heritage and their familial connections, hatched a scheme to defy the shutdown. With hearts full of passion and nerves of steel, they embarked on their mission to preserve the club for future generations.
And so it began again...
A new beginning
The newly formed committee, inheriting a vast plot burdened by a heritage building looking rather forlorn, set off on an epic quest. Their mission: to find a brave soul to purchase part of the car park and a builder with the courage to tackle the herculean task ahead.
Led by the committee`s sisters, Tina and Helen, and, aided by a band of stellar solicitors, visionary architects, and skilled tradespeople, they dove into the fray of planning permissions and heritage consents, embarking on what would become a legendary saga.
After a marathon of setbacks, heaps of stress, and moments when the committee almost threw in the towel, they finally clinched their planning permission in the summer of 2016.
Armed with their supportive project manager and tradesman the work finally began in 2017. The demolition of the two-storey '70s add-on kicked off a grand redevelopment and restoration saga, moving back into the original front building with all the seriousness of a historical drama series.
For the next few years, the committee tackled their mission with unwavering determination, pouring sweat and elbow grease into building, clearing, designing, and painting, all while keeping their eyes on the prize: the grand opening day.
In the midst of a constantly evolving committee, they persevered. Despite the lockdown throwing a wrench in the works, causing delays and a fair share of stress, they soldiered on. At last, reaching the finish line, they embarked on the exciting journey of hiring staff and orchestrating the grand opening day, set for Saturday, 29th July 2023.
Opening success
With a complete makeover, a snazzy new name, and a shiny pub license, they swung open the doors of The Pour House to a brand new chapter.
Sashaying into the new pub/club, greeting punters once again with fabulous drinks, and a lineup of live tunes and shindigs.
At last, the revamp of the upstairs function room also wrapped up, and The Pump Room flung open its doors for bookings.
Cheers to our loyal members who've stuck with us waiting to prop up the bar for the last dozen years – here's to fresh pours and new stories!
What's next
The committee isn't finished yet; they're now on a mission to whip up some grub so patrons can munch and sip to their hearts' content. Meanwhile, final touches are being applied, and the outdoor area is being transformed into a delightful drinking spot for patrons.
And let's not forget, they're packing the calendar with events to bring back that buzzing vibe to West Street, steering The Pour House towards a bright future for the merry-makers of today and tomorrow.
Thanks to..
Helen and Tina, despite the numerous obstacles, for their hard work, perseverance, foresight, and dedication to preserving The Pour House for Ringwood and its future generations.
The Committee, both past and present, deserves recognition for their support, hard work, and belief in the project.
Thanks also to all those who helped along the way of which there are so many!
A special thanks goes to
Richard Boyer- Solicitor
James Whitney - DOT Architects
Jay Randell - Electrician
Dave Spencer and team- Project Manager
Colin Randell -Stan Randell Builders
Keiron Drayson - Forest Edge Flooring
Dan Chapman- Plumbing
Barrel To Tap - Romsey
Zack Rivett -Multi-Signs - Ringwood
Gregory Adams Roofing
Alan Watson - Builder
B. E Willis Partnership - Engineer
Sid Jeanes - Ringwood Scaffolding
Tony Doyle - Prime Demolition
Mr. and Mrs. C Andrews
Early Photos credited to the Tony and Barbara Baker Collection.
All other photos owned and supplied by The Pour House.
Tap on the photos to expand them and enjoy their details.