Surrey Hants Borders

Campaign for Real Ale

Campaign for Real Ale

Pub News

  • Bear, Camberley Sunday 1 January 2023

    The pub closed for a couple of weeks in early December following the sad death of Sully the landlord, but reopened shortly before Christmas under new management, with little change in the way the pub is run

  • Bee Windlesham Wednesday 16 November 2022

    Having been closed for a lengthy period the Bee reopened in mid November. Three real ales normally on - Timothy Taylor Landlord and Sharp’s Doom Bar as regulars, plus a guest beer. Food is due to be reintroduced in 2023.

  • Craft Brews Tap Room Wednesday 16 November 2022

    The farmyard brewery & taproom received notification of the termination of their lease, by the Countryside Regeneration Trust, a charity, who were gifted Pierrepont Farm in 2006, where the tap room was located. They are currently looking for new premises.

  • Albany, Guildford Monday 7 November 2022

    After 16 years as the Albany, the pub reverted to its former name of the Rats Castle following a refurbishment and rebranding. The focus is on televised sport with beer and pizza takeaway and delivery offered; no real ale.

  • White Hart, Bagshot Monday 31 October 2022

    The pub closed in June 2021 and a planning application was submitted to demolish the pub and build 5 houses on the site the following year. In October 2022 the application was refused by the Council for a range of reasons although the principle of the loss of the pub was accepted as it was not considered viable and both the Three Mariners and King’s Head nearby offer alternative facilities.

  • Jolly Farner, Puttenham Sunday 30 October 2022

    Situated close to the Hogs Back between Farnham and Guildford the Jolly Farmer was an independent pub restaurant and before that a harvester. The pub closed and is rumoured to be reopening later in the year as the Pickled Pig. It is not yet clear if this is a restaurant, bar or shop

  • Kerrera, Guildford Saturday 17 September 2022

    New craft beer bar in Jeffries Passage off the High Street. No real ale, but plenty of support for small craft breweries, particularly Siren Craft, with a tap takeover held during their opening week and a range of beer themed events scheduled in the run up to Christmas.

  • Bear & Wragged Staff, Wrecclesham Thursday 15 September 2022

    The pub has been taken over my a new management team. Bob Todd, was previously landlord of the Good Beer Guide listed New Inn, Basingstoke so comes with a good pedigree. Initially opening restricted hours offering drinks and snacks, but this will be developed as the pub becomes re-established.

  • Star, Witley Wednesday 7 September 2022

    After being closed for nearly two years, the pub has reopened and is being leased by Brucan Pubs, who also run the Drumming Snipe in Maybury.

  • Half Moon, Windlesham Tuesday 6 September 2022

    Having been in the ownership of the Sturt family for over a century. Sadly, this came to an end in September, when Conrad and Helga sold the pub to Young’s. Initial reports suggest there remains a good choice of beers, but it remains to be seen whether the pub will retain its unique local identity or become another identikit pub company managed house.

  • Cannon, Guildford Friday 2 September 2022

    After a bit of a torrid time recently, opening and closing several times, but it looks like it has finally hit a period of stability, with a new landlord arriving in early September. The initial real ale offering was Rebellion IPA and Greene King Abbot.

  • Crown, Knaphill Wednesday 31 August 2022

    The Crown reopened in August as a Craft Union (Stonegate) pub. Just Sharp’s Doom Bar on offer initially though a guest beer is planned.

  • Shepherd & Flock, Farnham Thursday 4 August 2022

    After nearly a year of closure the pub was reopened by a local family with many years experience running local pubs. A good selection of up to 6 real ales has been introduced.

  • Red Lion, Godalming Thursday 7 July 2022

    Reopened as Fox & Finch, part of Greene King's Metropolitan Pub Company Division

  • Frog at Mindenhurst Saturday 30 April 2022

    A brand new pub as part of the Mindenhurst development at Deepcut. Managed by Hall & Woodhouse pub and is due to open in March 2022. The name takes its inspiration from an adjacent pond and is located on the corner of Brunswick Road overlooking the lake and village green.

  • White Horse, Hascombe Friday 8 April 2022

    The pub has been purchased by Youngs, not yet sure if this will spell the end of their popular Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter.

  • Sir Douglas Haig, Effingham Wednesday 23 March 2022

    After being closed since the start of the pandemic the pub has reopened as the Queen Stage, focussing on facilities for cyclists and walkers, real ales from Hogs Back have been reported as being available.

  • Crown & Anchor, Old Woking Friday 17 December 2021

    Reopened by the landlord and landlady who previously ran Star, Witley. Three changing real ales from national breweries.

  • Hart House, Fleet Saturday 13 November 2021

    Reopened as a light and airy gastropub leased by Portobello Brewery. Sadly none of their real ales are available, though there is a selection of their beers on keg and in bottle. Whilst there is a strong food focus, there is an area to drink without dining at the front of the pub.

  • Royal Staff, Aldershot - Hampshire Beer Week Sunday 26 September 2021

    Support Hampshire Beer Week at the Pub - 18th to 22nd October

    During the 3rd week of October the Royal Staff will be showcasing a selection of Hampshire brewed beers, with 2/3 available at any one time and customers being encouraged to vote for their favourite. The Branch will be holding a social event there on Wednesday 20th October from 7.30pm, all welcome to join us.

    This is all part of a fantastic turnaround in the fortune of the pub since new landlord Milo Wheller arrived in the Summer. Real ale has been reintroduced, with a single changing guest beer to ensure quality and sufficient turnover. Areal community focus and buzz has returned to the pub again.

    However, the owner of the Royal Staff is still far from committed to the future of the Royal Staff as a community pub. A planning application was submitted to Rushmoor Borough Council seeking permission to convert the Royal Staff into a shop. There was absolutely nothing in the application in terms of justifying the change of use or repudiating Rushmoor's excellent Pub Protection Policy. Therefore it was little surprise that the application was refused with the Council indicating that there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate there there is no-longer term need for the public house.

    This really is a case of use it or loose it.

  • Thatched Cottage, Cove reopens Thursday 19 August 2021

    After being closed for over 2 years the Thatched Cottage, Cove reopened on 19th August. Initial reports are that Dark Star Hophead and Hogs Back TEA are the real ales available. The Branch will be visiting the pub as part of a social tour of the pubs of west Farnborough on Tuesday 12th October. Full details here. Cove & Farnborough Crawl.

  • White Lion Aldershot - Planning Application Refused Wednesday 18 August 2021

    At their meeting on 18th August Rushmoor Council refused planning permission to convert the pub into flats. Overall there were 52 public comments on the application and all 52 were objections.

    The key policy reason for the refusal was that the “application has not been supported by sufficient evidence to demonstrate that there is no-longer term need for the public house. In this regard, the proposal conflicts with… [Rushmoor’s planning policies]… and would thereby give rise to the loss of a community facility.”

    This is a great result but we can expect the owners to react in some way, either via an appeal or amended application. However, the work done on this by the local community to date has been excellent. The Community Group looking to buy the pub remains active and is still working hard to secure the long term future of the White Lion as a pub.

  • Jolly Sailor, Farnham to be converted to houses Wednesday 4 August 2021

    Waverley Borough Council have approved a planning application to convert the Jolly Sailor into housing. The Council considered CAMRAs objection and acknowledged our arguments, but sadly felt that the local community had not demonstrated that they valued the pub. In their report the Council said “We consider it highly significant that Farnham Town Council have no objection to the principle of the loss of the public house use. As a barometer of formal local public opinion, we think that this provides a reliable indicator of “public demand”. A stark indication of the value of a local community campaign.

  • White Lion, Aldershot - Planning Application Object Now! Wednesday 4 August 2021

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    Dear White Lion supporter,

    Following our last email update in May, we now have confirmed developments. The White Lion has definitely been sold and the owner has applied for planning permission to convert the building into four flats.

    Our campaign now has immediate objectives:

    • To prevent the proposed change of use from a pub; and

    • To hammer home the point that we need the White Lion to open once again as a thriving community local.

    The web address to find the planning application is here

    Now is the time to object to the planning application and this update is to provide you with relevant information that will assist you in submitting an effective objection. The last day for submitting your objection is Wednesday 11th August, so please don’t delay.

    Please note that the “Your Comment:” field allows just 500 characters (not words) so you will need to choose one or two points that are important to you and keep your comments brief, restrained and to the point.

    Inadequate parking, unacceptable density, employment loss

    If you are local to the White Lion you might want to point out that this is an over development, in an area without adequate parking and is not the right use for this site, especially as it takes away local employment opportunities.

    Contrary to government and local policies

    Emphasise that the Council has pro-pub protection policies that they need to enforce. Those policies require the White Lion to remain a pub unless it is clear that it is not viable or there is an adequate alternative nearby. All the local pubs, in North Town and Heron Wood have closed, there is no suitable alternative.

    The key point we suggest you make is that you want your pub back. You want the White Lion to remain a pub, the community needs the White Lion to remain a pub and the new owner of the White Lion has bought a pub, not a development site.

    Tell the Council to make it clear to the owner that they will not get permission to convert our pub to flats and the owner should either run the pub themselves, we will support them, or let us as the local community do it.

    This update is being sent to our 202 White Lion supporters and with your direct assistance we can defeat the planning application and demonstrate the strength of feeling for making the White Lion a thriving community pub once again.

    Thank you for your continuing support.

    Regards, Phillip Duke, Chair On behalf of the Management Committee, Aldershot Community Pub Limited (ACPL)

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    Latest Update from the Campaign Group
  • Parrot, Shalford Thursday 4 February 2021

    The Parrot dates from the late 1800's and is a short distance from the Wey Navigation, near the site of the former Shalford munitions factory.

    It closed in September 2019 but has recently been purchased by Red Mist Leisure as their 11th pub locally. It is now undergoing an extensive refurbishment, with the aim of reopening in the Autumn.

  • Villagers, Blackheath Tuesday 19 January 2021

    A planning application has been submitted by Lux Homes Limited seeking permission to convert the existing public house into a two bedroom cottage. The Villagers has been closed since 2010 after which a village enterprise known as the Blackheath Village Pub Company was established with the express purpose of protecting and retaining the village pub. However in September 2018 the pub was purchased by Lux Homes Ltd, who are only interested in developing the site for residential use.

    Details of the Planning Application can be found here

    Waverley Borough Council received a large number of objections to the proposal and are now considering the application.

    You can download our Villagers, Blackheath Planning Permission Objection

  • Jolly Sailor, Farnham - Planning Application Thursday 31 December 2020

    Item in the Farnham Herald 31-12-2020.

  • Robin Hood, Guildford Saturday 31 October 2020

    The pub closed at the end of October when the licensee, Veru Melca, was unable to agree terms on a new lease. She has launched a Crowdfunding campaign to try and buy the freehold of the pub.

    The pub is currently on offer through Fleurets for £625,000.

  • Railway Club, Woking Sunday 18 October 2020

    A planning application for the redevelopment of this area of Woking that includes the demolition and relocation of the Club to a new building is being considered by Woking Borough Council. As the proposal guarantees that the Club will be rebuilt before the existing one is demolished, it is supported by CAMRA.

  • Wheatsheaf, Grayswood Sunday 27 September 2020

    The pub closed on 27th September following the retirement of landlord Ken Martin, who had run the pub for 22 years. Its future is unknown.

  • Ship, Ripley Tuesday 22 September 2020

    Ripley Parish Council has successfully secured an Asset of Community Value (ACV) listing for this pub.

  • Elm Tree, Weybourne Saturday 19 September 2020

    After an 18 months period of closure the pub reopened on 19th September.

  • Red Lion, Aldershot Friday 11 September 2020

    The pub has reopened with another new landlady, the 3rd this year. This time it is Rochelle Cotton, who previously worked at the White Lion. 4 real ales to start with, though this subsequently reduced to ensure quality is maintained.

  • Red Lion, Godalming Thursday 3 September 2020

    The pub reopened on 3rd September after an enforced closure on 13th July due to a serious fire.

  • Cricketers on the Green, Pirbright Monday 17 August 2020

    The pub partially reopened on 17th August following a serious at the pub on 6th August. This includes an outside bar with new alfresco terraces.

  • Sir Douglas Haig, Effingham Thursday 30 July 2020

    A planning application to retain the pub but convert the existing hotel rooms into residential accommodation and build additional housing in the car park is being considered by Guildford Borough Council. CAMRA has sought reassurance and evidence that the proposal won’t reduce the viability of the pub going forward.

  • Horse & Groom, Chobham - New Micro Pub Opens! Tuesday 14 July 2020

    The Branch’s first micropub has opened, selling 2 local beers and cider, The site used to be part of a pub called the Horse and Groom that closed in 1960.

  • Royal Staff, Aldershot Monday 15 June 2020

    The freehold of the pub is available for £600,000 which is substantially more than the £265,000 it sold for in 2017. The price seems to assume they can build two houses in the garden.

    There is an active ACV in place for the pub, but it was applied for by the Save Our Staff, community group, but that Group is no longer active.

  • Barley Mow, Winchfield Tuesday 12 May 2020

    The pub has been relisted as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) following a reapplication by Winchfield Parish Council after the initial listing had expired.

  • Grantley Arms, Wonersh Thursday 12 March 2020

    The pub has been sold by Pearmain Pubs to Youngs Pub Company.

  • Wheatsheaf, Heatherside Thursday 31 October 2019

    The pub, now leased by Blackrose Pubs, reopened at the end of October following a £400,000 refurbishment. The layout of the main bar has altered, the Sports Bar extended and a large mezzanine level introduced. There is also a greater commitment to real ale.