New era for city centre pub (From Daily Echo)
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New era for The Pensioners in Southampton as Kostas Raftopoulos takes over
10:24am Monday 8th August 2011 in News
The Pensioners staff: Ferit Ndoci, Kostas Raftopoulos, Ben Holtom, Kloie Brightman, Dave Thomas and Stellios Raftopoulos
A WELL-KNOWN Southampton pub has reopened after undergoing a major renovation.
For years the Pensioners pub in Bedford Place had a reputation for being the place to go for a quiet pint and to chat with friends.
But now under new management and having undergone a week-long refurbishment, it has once again opened its doors to locals and regulars alike.
Renovations to the 300 year-old building, owned by the Greene King Brewery, include redecoration and new furniture.
The pub’s new boss, Kostas Raftopoulos, who took over the lease on July 25, vowed the Pensioners will retain its traditional style.
Kostas said: “When we took it over last week it was in need of work doing to it.
“The building is actually Grade II listed, so we wanted to preserve that and keep it as traditional as possible.
“We are going to focus our attention on serving traditional ales as well as offering classic English food such as Yorkshire puddings, roast dinners and steaks.
“We really hope we can preserve the pub’s heritage and history and make it a really nice place for people to come to.”
Kostas, who part-owns La Margherita, has also taken over the Court Jester pub near Ocean Terminal in Southampton, which he hopes to have opened by next month.
Comments(10)
Dasal
says...
10:39am Mon 8 Aug 11
Remember it far too many years ago as "Parkers" when it WAS a good pub !!!
Oh dear, that does age me............
TheJoiners
says...
11:36am Mon 8 Aug 11
thankfully not a PO postcode
says...
2:31pm Mon 8 Aug 11
endzone
says...
7:44pm Mon 8 Aug 11
Steve9091
says...
8:11pm Mon 8 Aug 11
the-blogger
says...
9:23pm Mon 8 Aug 11
Steve9091
says...
11:06pm Mon 8 Aug 11
JohnSmith1979
says...
11:22pm Mon 8 Aug 11
I understand everyone is screaming for a "local pub"...but surely a pub that is still open, operating and has owners willing to invest is better than no pub at all?
Having been to both the Pensioners and The Court Jester, both were very much in need of some TLC and having people to update them will bring new business and jobs to the area....times, they are a changing...that's not a bad thing.
Elgy
says...
2:48pm Tue 9 Aug 11
BMWDellboy says...
10:33am Mon 8 Aug 11