AT the size of the average living room – this must be Hampshire’s smallest pub.

Measuring just 12 feet by 27 feet the Butcher’s Hook is the only micropub in the county.

It is opening in the heart of Bitterne Park Triangle in Southampton and its owners believe the tiny watering hole will breathe new life into the area.

The opening comes after a string of pubs across the city have closed down.

Running the watering hole are Anthony Nicholls, 31, and Daniel Richardson, 28, who both live near Bitterne Park.

Anthony said: “As a group of friends we spoke about it two to three years ago and a year ago I went down to Kent and went into a micropub. It had a really nice, friendly atmosphere.

“Later we saw this property come up in the Triangle – and as we are both positive about beer we thought it was ideal.”

The pub is a big investment for them and cost them £8,000 to bring up to scratch, but they are confident that it will be a success.

Daily Echo: Anthony Nicholls in the Butcher's Hook in Bitterne Park Triangle

Anthony added: “The Triangle is a really nice place.

“We did some research to see if people would want a micropub in the Triangle and we found out that a lot of people were very enthusiastic.

We got lots of positive feedback and Bitterne Park does need somewhere for people that like their ales.”

They want the Butcher’s Hook to focus on selling real ales and craft beer that is brewed in Hampshire.

Previously the premises was a butcher’s, a florist and a picture framer’s. Anthony and Daniel are trying to retain some of that history with their choice of name.

Anthony added: “Micropubs have a tradition to make a nod to what the pub originally was and we are keeping a lot of the tilework and keeping a sort of butcher’s theme.”

Both Anthony and Daniel work full-time during the day and will run the pub from 6pm to 11pm, Wednesdays to Sundays.

  • Additional reporting by Chris Fay