Red Lion in Totton to close down (From Daily Echo)
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Red Lion in Totton to close down
12:40pm Thursday 22nd July 2010 in
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- By Chris Yandell » Chief Reporter, New Forest
MYSTERY surrounds the imminent closure of a popular pub that has stood at the entrance to a Hampshire town for generations.
Enterprise Inns is refusing to explain its sudden decision to call time on the Red Lion pub in Totton, which is due to shut next Tuesday.
It had been claimed Linden Homes was buying the site but this has been denied by the developers.
Billed as Totton’s only late-night venue, the Red Lion is renowned for its live music nights and fundraising campaigns.
Now, regulars have been left reeling after being told that the watering hole is shutting in just a few days’ time with the loss of ten jobs.
Landlady Jacqui Clapp used to run the business with her husband Roger but the couple separated last year. She believed Enterprise Inns was selling the Red Lion to a developer and named Linden Homes as the prospective new owner.
In an e-mail to customers she said: “I really have tried everything to ensure that I kept this very busy venue open but was beaten by the bigger guys who want to build houses on the land.
“All I ever wanted was to make people happy – but sadly now many people are crying.”
Town councillors said they had heard rumours that a developer was interested in acquiring the pub, which occupies a prime site opposite the railway station in Commercial Road. But Linden Homes denied it was buying the building.
Mrs Clapp, who said she had been given only ten days’ notice of the impending shutdown, fought back tears as she announced the pub’s demise.
She said: “Totton will lose its only late-night venue. Most pubs close at midnight but the Red Lion can stay open until 2am.
“The pub is well known all over Hampshire for live music. Customers are horrified it’s closing and are asking what we can do, but there’s nothing we can do.
“Couples who were married here have been coming back to say goodbye before it goes. It’s not just a pub, it’s people’s memories.”
Totton councillor Chris Lagdon said pubs were suffering in the current economic climate, partly as a result of supermarkets selling cheap alcohol.
Linden Homes is currently building more than 100 flats and houses in Southern Gardens as part of a multimillion-pound plan to provide new housing and sports facilities at three sites in the town.
But managing director Pat Feighery said: “We can confirm that Linden Homes Southern is not purchasing the site of the Red Lion.”
New Forest District Council said its licensing officer had no information relating to the pub’s closure. Enterprise Inns refused to comment.
Comments(54)
wilson castaway
says...
1:11pm Thu 22 Jul 10
mari2010
says...
1:22pm Thu 22 Jul 10
baume
says...
1:30pm Thu 22 Jul 10
RadicalEmu
says...
1:33pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Ted Rogers wrote:I went there one Friday night to see a mate play a gig.
Was always a dive filled with Totton chavs spoiling for a fight with anyone they didn't recognise.
People got married there? Says everything you need to know....I'd rather go for a beer in Shirley Warren.
.
Not a bit of trouble, just normal people having a good night out.
saintslou
says...
1:34pm Thu 22 Jul 10
mari2010 wrote:Dont bother biting back mari2010. Its just another dinlo trying to cause an argument by putting down the area. Notice the reference to Shirley Warren, just trying to goad them into it aswell.
well i am not a chav! i go there almost every saturday evening, it is friendly and jaki is lovely she does not have trouble in her pub, the dj is also great, first sign of trouble and people are out!!!! i think its a real shame and will be a sad sunday! dont judge unless you know!!!!!
I have always found the Red Lion very welcoming and its sad to see yet another public house being closed down. Oh and no 'Ted Rogers' I am not from Totton so I am not in the least bit interested in getting into an argument with you about the area or Shirley Warren for that matter!
Ted Rogers
says...
1:42pm Thu 22 Jul 10
baume wrote:Agreed. Although The Guildhall Tavern is no longer (Now Pitcher and Piano bar) and The Bakers....well they have a national clientele base, they just happen to be staying in Winchester at the time in the various bail hostels......so I see your comparison.
valid point reminds me of the bakers of winchester or the guildhall tavern .
Larry David
says...
1:45pm Thu 22 Jul 10
So what's the worst pub in our lovely city ?
For me there can be only one..
The Woodman
TUNA_MAN
says...
1:55pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Ted Rogers
says...
1:56pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Larry David wrote:How can you possibly single one out amongst so many?
yeah you called it, the Bakers is up there, awful place. So what's the worst pub in our lovely city ? For me there can be only one.. The Woodman
Entirely subjective though, as people tend to associate with like-minded people, so you'll get a pub full of ignorant, knuckle dragging, coke taking, staffie under the table chavs who will think that their local is fantastic.
Spot O'Bother
says...
2:16pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Jammy Donut
says...
2:20pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Walter Kurtz
says...
2:25pm Thu 22 Jul 10
KA
says...
2:29pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Ted Rogers wrote:Oh Ted... at it again i see.. what a muppet.. you prob dont drink anywhere bet your an over weight smelly recluse.. who gets his kicks from Trolling...
Was always a dive filled with Totton chavs spoiling for a fight with anyone they didn't recognise.
People got married there? Says everything you need to know....I'd rather go for a beer in Shirley Warren.
Walter Kurtz
says...
2:34pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Ted Rogers
says...
2:35pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Shoong
says...
3:08pm Thu 22 Jul 10
They've been going for 100's of years, but it only took 12 years of Labour government to condemn them to extinction.
Larry David
says...
3:10pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Ted Rogers wrote:There, I just did it.....The Woodman
Larry David wrote: yeah you called it, the Bakers is up there, awful place. So what's the worst pub in our lovely city ? For me there can be only one.. The WoodmanHow can you possibly single one out amongst so many? Entirely subjective though, as people tend to associate with like-minded people, so you'll get a pub full of ignorant, knuckle dragging, coke taking, staffie under the table chavs who will think that their local is fantastic.
Shall I do it again ?
Ted Rogers = Chopper
BTW, Spot O' Bother & Walter Kurtz, thanks for getting in the spirit
Ted Rogers
says...
3:15pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Larry David wrote:Rhetorical question, then qualified.
Ted Rogers wrote:There, I just did it.....The Woodman Shall I do it again ? Ted Rogers = Chopper BTW, Spot O' Bother & Walter Kurtz, thanks for getting in the spiritLarry David wrote: yeah you called it, the Bakers is up there, awful place. So what's the worst pub in our lovely city ? For me there can be only one.. The WoodmanHow can you possibly single one out amongst so many? Entirely subjective though, as people tend to associate with like-minded people, so you'll get a pub full of ignorant, knuckle dragging, coke taking, staffie under the table chavs who will think that their local is fantastic.
Larry David = Proven lily livered coward. (As you wish to trade insults)
mari2010
says...
3:45pm Thu 22 Jul 10
southy
says...
3:47pm Thu 22 Jul 10
saintslou wrote:the red lion has all ways been a quiet and friendly pub. i can remember when it was ran by an wwii raf pilot. but the cross keys on the other hand was a that all ways had problems.
mari2010 wrote:Dont bother biting back mari2010. Its just another dinlo trying to cause an argument by putting down the area. Notice the reference to Shirley Warren, just trying to goad them into it aswell.
well i am not a chav! i go there almost every saturday evening, it is friendly and jaki is lovely she does not have trouble in her pub, the dj is also great, first sign of trouble and people are out!!!! i think its a real shame and will be a sad sunday! dont judge unless you know!!!!!
I have always found the Red Lion very welcoming and its sad to see yet another public house being closed down. Oh and no 'Ted Rogers' I am not from Totton so I am not in the least bit interested in getting into an argument with you about the area or Shirley Warren for that matter!
trouble with the lion location it will be prone to flood there, on high spring tide with a low pressure storm. and the only thing keeping the water out now from high spring tides is the rail embankment that was put there but never used.
Waiting
says...
4:46pm Thu 22 Jul 10
EM27,
says...
4:51pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Shoong wrote:Hardly a country pub is it? The place is a hole frequented by in breds.
10 years - there won't be any country pubs, maybe a sprinkling of Restaurants that look like pubs but aren't. They've been going for 100's of years, but it only took 12 years of Labour government to condemn them to extinction.
As for the person saying NFDC won't give any planning permission, Totton isn't within the boundaries of the National Park and is fair game, better to build housing stock in a dump like that than elsewhere.
Bulldoze the whole hovel and turn it into docks or warehouses for the new docks at Dibden
EM27,
says...
4:51pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Shoong wrote:Hardly a country pub is it? The place is a hole frequented by in breds.
10 years - there won't be any country pubs, maybe a sprinkling of Restaurants that look like pubs but aren't. They've been going for 100's of years, but it only took 12 years of Labour government to condemn them to extinction.
As for the person saying NFDC won't give any planning permission, Totton isn't within the boundaries of the National Park and is fair game, better to build housing stock in a dump like that than elsewhere.
Bulldoze the whole hovel and turn it into docks or warehouses for the new docks at Dibden
St.DaveH
says...
5:03pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Larry David wrote:Woodman definatley in there with the Windsor Castle, and Trampways...worst still but long gone were the Seaweed or the bonhomie club..
Ted Rogers wrote:There, I just did it.....The Woodman Shall I do it again ? Ted Rogers = Chopper BTW, Spot O' Bother & Walter Kurtz, thanks for getting in the spiritLarry David wrote: yeah you called it, the Bakers is up there, awful place. So what's the worst pub in our lovely city ? For me there can be only one.. The WoodmanHow can you possibly single one out amongst so many? Entirely subjective though, as people tend to associate with like-minded people, so you'll get a pub full of ignorant, knuckle dragging, coke taking, staffie under the table chavs who will think that their local is fantastic.
Zeo
says...
5:07pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Rocketscientist
says...
5:09pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Larry David
says...
5:11pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Ted Rogers wrote:haha, you really are a knob
Larry David wrote:Rhetorical question, then qualified. Larry David = Proven lily livered coward. (As you wish to trade insults)Ted Rogers wrote:There, I just did it.....The Woodman Shall I do it again ? Ted Rogers = Chopper BTW, Spot O' Bother & Walter Kurtz, thanks for getting in the spiritLarry David wrote: yeah you called it, the Bakers is up there, awful place. So what's the worst pub in our lovely city ? For me there can be only one.. The WoodmanHow can you possibly single one out amongst so many? Entirely subjective though, as people tend to associate with like-minded people, so you'll get a pub full of ignorant, knuckle dragging, coke taking, staffie under the table chavs who will think that their local is fantastic.
Brite Spark
says...
5:46pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Stiofan
says...
6:25pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Nod
says...
6:50pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Is Commercial Road devoid of pubs now?
Sholing
says...
8:00pm Thu 22 Jul 10
kingkong 1
says...
8:05pm Thu 22 Jul 10
geoff51
says...
8:23pm Thu 22 Jul 10
wilson castaway wrote:Thankfully as Southampton is full of ignorant ****ers such as you, The Red Lion is in Totton, which is separated from Chavville by a wide stretch of water and a different council area.
Yay more flats just what Southampton needs!!!
Never have I been glad of a bit if geography to improve an area.
Actually I dont use the Lion but Totton needs as many entertainment venues as possible and it is a sad day for the town when one of the best closes
Atpost
says...
8:44pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Jacqui is a great landlady.
Georgem and condor man met at the sunday singles night, and still luv each other
Totton Ric
says...
10:49pm Thu 22 Jul 10
jensmith (red lion totton)
says...
10:55pm Thu 22 Jul 10
t-o-t-t-o-n
says...
1:31am Fri 23 Jul 10
fraggled
says...
8:49am Fri 23 Jul 10
Sholing wrote:It is impossible to catch A.I.D.S.
I have never been in the Red Lion, but my mate caught A.I.D.S from the toilet seat in there (he is better now) and my cousin had his best biro pen stolen from the garden, im glad its going.
You can become infected with HIV, but not AIDS
fraggled
says...
8:53am Fri 23 Jul 10
Andy_Germany
says...
9:13am Fri 23 Jul 10
Shoong
says...
11:45am Fri 23 Jul 10
EM27, wrote:I was in no way commenting on the merits or cons of the place - never been there.
Shoong wrote:Hardly a country pub is it? The place is a hole frequented by in breds.
10 years - there won't be any country pubs, maybe a sprinkling of Restaurants that look like pubs but aren't. They've been going for 100's of years, but it only took 12 years of Labour government to condemn them to extinction.
As for the person saying NFDC won't give any planning permission, Totton isn't within the boundaries of the National Park and is fair game, better to build housing stock in a dump like that than elsewhere.
Bulldoze the whole hovel and turn it into docks or warehouses for the new docks at Dibden
tedwalsh
says...
12:14pm Fri 23 Jul 10
Sholing wrote:Im a cabbie, dropped & picked up there 100s of times,never seen any bother AT ALL, had some nice lunches there & as for catching AIDS from the toilet seat Sholing, your 'mate' obviously sat on it before the person before him got up!
I have never been in the Red Lion, but my mate caught A.I.D.S from the toilet seat in there (he is better now) and my cousin had his best biro pen stolen from the garden, im glad its going.
pinklady
says...
12:57pm Fri 23 Jul 10
jensmith (red lion totton) wrote:That brought a tear to my eye hearing about that old gentleman, I cant believe after all these years the pub is going to be no longer. Its so sad especially the way the pub industry is going. I wish you family all the best for the future.
I would just like to say my sister has fought long and hard to keep this pub open. Her children, family and staff have been behind her all the way. We are all very upset with this outcome and hate to see the old place shutting down. It has been a huge part of Totton history... we only had an old gentelman come in on Sunday saying how he met his wife there 49 years ago, unfortunatley he lost his wife 2 weeks ago. He wanted to return to the pub to recall his memories of meeting his wife. So to you Ted Rogers and all you nasty people.... yes the pub has made memories to people. My family have lots and lots of very happy memories so before you start to slag my sister and the pub off just remember.... you might not agree with it but there is many many people out there that have lots and lots of good memories of The Red Lion.... me and my family will have lots, and made many, many good friends. Not just that just remember that is somebodies livelihoad and that of her her children. Very PROUD OF YOU SIS x x x x x x x x
pinklady
says...
12:58pm Fri 23 Jul 10
tedwalsh wrote:love it!
Sholing wrote: I have never been in the Red Lion, but my mate caught A.I.D.S from the toilet seat in there (he is better now) and my cousin had his best biro pen stolen from the garden, im glad its going.Im a cabbie, dropped & picked up there 100s of times,never seen any bother AT ALL, had some nice lunches there & as for catching AIDS from the toilet seat Sholing, your 'mate' obviously sat on it before the person before him got up!
mari2010
says...
2:14pm Fri 23 Jul 10
EM27,
says...
4:23pm Fri 23 Jul 10
mari2010 wrote:Illiterate chav, you can't even spell her name right, I doubt you even know her, probably just hang around drinking dregs from other peoples glasses and picking up dog ends from the smoking area.
you all make me laugh half of you havent been there and know nothing!! JAKI YOU WILL BE MISSED!!!
If people like you are the clientel then it's best it's closed down, maybe fumigate the whole area before building over it with social housing to give all the single mothers over there somewhere to live lest they invade the estates in our city.
RadicalEmu
says...
5:41pm Fri 23 Jul 10
EM27, wrote:Wow.
mari2010 wrote:Illiterate chav, you can't even spell her name right, I doubt you even know her, probably just hang around drinking dregs from other peoples glasses and picking up dog ends from the smoking area.
you all make me laugh half of you havent been there and know nothing!! JAKI YOU WILL BE MISSED!!!
If people like you are the clientel then it's best it's closed down, maybe fumigate the whole area before building over it with social housing to give all the single mothers over there somewhere to live lest they invade the estates in our city.
.
Such hate toward someone you've never met. Are you like this in person too?
EM27,
says...
7:54pm Fri 23 Jul 10
RadicalEmu wrote:If you think that's hate you must have lived a very sheltered life.
EM27, wrote:Wow. . Such hate toward someone you've never met. Are you like this in person too?mari2010 wrote: you all make me laugh half of you havent been there and know nothing!! JAKI YOU WILL BE MISSED!!!Illiterate chav, you can't even spell her name right, I doubt you even know her, probably just hang around drinking dregs from other peoples glasses and picking up dog ends from the smoking area. If people like you are the clientel then it's best it's closed down, maybe fumigate the whole area before building over it with social housing to give all the single mothers over there somewhere to live lest they invade the estates in our city.
Karma8
says...
7:59pm Fri 23 Jul 10
dottzie
says...
3:36pm Sun 25 Jul 10
EM27, wrote:oh dear oh dear, firstly i must say as a single mum in my 30's i would rather live in a box in Totton than any of hell holes that reside across the bridge!!!
mari2010 wrote: you all make me laugh half of you havent been there and know nothing!! JAKI YOU WILL BE MISSED!!!Illiterate chav, you can't even spell her name right, I doubt you even know her, probably just hang around drinking dregs from other peoples glasses and picking up dog ends from the smoking area. If people like you are the clientel then it's best it's closed down, maybe fumigate the whole area before building over it with social housing to give all the single mothers over there somewhere to live lest they invade the estates in our city.
The red Lion has always been a fantastic night out live bands, fab DJ and a awesome landlady who will not stand for trouble, granted like most pubs you get the odd oik thinking they can take on the world cause they have had a couple of drinks but those were few and sorted swiftly.
The Lion will be sadly missed by us regulars who know how much of her heart and soul jax put into the place. Good luck for the future jax we will all miss you xxxxx
EM27,
says...
6:35pm Sun 25 Jul 10
dottzie wrote:Totton single mother who spends too much time in the pub shocker!!!
EM27, wrote:oh dear oh dear, firstly i must say as a single mum in my 30's i would rather live in a box in Totton than any of hell holes that reside across the bridge!!! The red Lion has always been a fantastic night out live bands, fab DJ and a awesome landlady who will not stand for trouble, granted like most pubs you get the odd oik thinking they can take on the world cause they have had a couple of drinks but those were few and sorted swiftly. The Lion will be sadly missed by us regulars who know how much of her heart and soul jax put into the place. Good luck for the future jax we will all miss you xxxxxmari2010 wrote: you all make me laugh half of you havent been there and know nothing!! JAKI YOU WILL BE MISSED!!!Illiterate chav, you can't even spell her name right, I doubt you even know her, probably just hang around drinking dregs from other peoples glasses and picking up dog ends from the smoking area. If people like you are the clientel then it's best it's closed down, maybe fumigate the whole area before building over it with social housing to give all the single mothers over there somewhere to live lest they invade the estates in our city.
Who's paying for all this boozing, how can you afford to spend all your time in the pub?
Like I said, drinking other peoples left overs and smoking fag buts.
You've probably never even left Totton and know nothing of Southampton.
dottzie
says...
9:26pm Sun 25 Jul 10
yeah i was born in Totton but i have lived in other places in the country and i have lived over the bridge in Southampton believe me not a experience i would want to repeat!! and no wonder why with ppl like you living there!!!
but really you carry on with your bile hid behind your pc screen it obviously makes you happy so pls feel free to reply again its nice to know i am making someone happy
selena2507
says...
10:19pm Sun 25 Jul 10
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Ted Rogers says...
12:54pm Thu 22 Jul 10
People got married there? Says everything you need to know....I'd rather go for a beer in Shirley Warren.