A HAMPSHIRE watering hole has a new figure at the helm.

General manager at the Netley Grange Neil Tracey took over two months ago and is hoping to attract even more people through the door.

Situated in the village of Netley Abbey, the pub itself is surrounded by history, situated less than a mile from historic site Netley Abbey to one side and the picturesque Royal Victoria Country Park on the other.

Neil believes the pub, which is set on two levels thanks to a high ceiling, has been in existence for about 25 years.

It was formerly called The Mill House until owner Spirit, which has around 800 pubs across the country, rebranded it last year.

Neil has ten years experience running hotels and ran a bar for five years, but most recently has been studying web design and networking at Solent University.

He is already using these skills to generate more interest in the pub and what it has to offer.

Plans for an ice rink at Christmas in the car park unfortunately fell through.

But Neil’s key focus is now looking to get more live music to increase drinking numbers in the evenings, with the hope of a regular live band music on Friday nights.

However, despite this drive to bring in more drinkers, food provides the pub’s larger source of income at present.

Meals are a mixture of traditional English food and more modern dishes, such as a burger shaped like a hotdog.

The venue, in Grange Road, can also offer plenty of entertainment for the children with its own Wacky Warehouse soft play centre, linked by a corridor to the main building.

Neil says the play centre is definitely an advantage to the pub as they often run children’s parties providing food as well.

It also means that whatever the weather there is entertainment for the children – with the play centre in the winter and ‘pirate ship’ climbing facility in the summer.

“It’s a family orientated pub,” said Neil.

Slightly outside the centre of Netley Abbey, Neil acknowledges that the pub cannot rely on passing trade.

Netley Grange does get some tourists in off the back of the abbey and country park, but Neil said much of the trade is from word of mouth or regular locals with some people coming for the last 15 years.

The cheapest beer is £3.88 and the cheapest wine is £2.99 for a 175ml glass.

  • Netley Grange, Grange Road, Netley Abbey, SO31 5FF
  • 023 8045 5769
  • Website