The Cat Posted 10 April, 2023 Share Posted 10 April, 2023 Thought it worthwhile having a thread where we can post about stuff that's happening in the city and surrounding area seeing as most of us either live here or used to. There's already a Southampton group on Reddit but that's largely questions from people moving to the city, others asking what the best restaurants are or posts about helicopters. Let's start with the news that some of us may be under water by 2030. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/23444608.areas-southampton-underwater-2030/ Not sure if that's more annoying than the Itchen Bridge toll going up to £1 in peak times, but neither are great news! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerx16 Posted 10 April, 2023 Share Posted 10 April, 2023 Pah, this is what a flood risk looks like. Guess I need some flippers; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 24 April, 2023 Author Share Posted 24 April, 2023 Unity brewery is coming back in some form or another which is great news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 24 April, 2023 Share Posted 24 April, 2023 You'd think the National Oceanorgraphy centre would have planned it better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant Posted 24 April, 2023 Share Posted 24 April, 2023 (edited) 3 hours ago, The Cat said: Unity brewery is coming back in some form or another which is great news. I'm cynical, based upon who's purchased it. But would be delighted to be wrong. A number of the staff are returning - so if nothing else then for their sake. Edited 24 April, 2023 by ant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 24 April, 2023 Author Share Posted 24 April, 2023 42 minutes ago, ant said: I'm cynical, based upon who's purchased it. But would be delighted to be wrong. A number of the staff are returning - so if nothing else then for their sake. Interesting. Is it a bigger brewery? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant Posted 25 April, 2023 Share Posted 25 April, 2023 7 hours ago, The Cat said: Interesting. Is it a bigger brewery? Smaller, interestingly. Albeit with other backing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfield Saint Posted 26 April, 2023 Share Posted 26 April, 2023 Does anyone know when the bar gate development will complete? Or when the toysrus will start? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alehouseboys Posted 27 April, 2023 Share Posted 27 April, 2023 (edited) 8 hours ago, Highfield Saint said: Does anyone know when the bar gate development will complete? Or when the toysrus will start? Bargate in 2024, ToysRUs was meant to start 'early 2023' it's now 'sometime in 2023'. Demolition hasn't even started yet (was meant to be last year). With the cost of building materials escalating, they're probably getting a bit nervous about the £200m completion figure. Shame, that and the failed Nelson Gate redevelopment would have significantly improved the area around the Central station. The Leisureworld, Debenhams and Britannia Road Gasworks projects also appear to have stalled. Edited 27 April, 2023 by alehouseboys Typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whelk Posted 27 April, 2023 Share Posted 27 April, 2023 I was told Hendy’s had to move from West Quay Road as council were building housing there but guess as other showrooms still there it isn’t anytime soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alehouseboys Posted 27 April, 2023 Share Posted 27 April, 2023 For those interested, this city masterplan maps out how they want Southampton to develop over the next couple of decades https://www.southampton.gov.uk/media/bulfgzn2/mayflower-quarter-masterplan-c.pdf ...good luck with that, it takes an age to get anything off the ground in this city, probably not in my lifetime! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whelk Posted 27 April, 2023 Share Posted 27 April, 2023 3 minutes ago, alehouseboys said: For those interested, this city masterplan maps out how they want Southampton to develop over the next couple of decades https://www.southampton.gov.uk/media/bulfgzn2/mayflower-quarter-masterplan-c.pdf ...good luck with that, it takes an age to get anything off the ground in this city, probably not in my lifetime! Been waiting for the mono-rail for 40 years. Remember the grand designs being front page of the Echo when I were a lad 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whelk Posted 27 April, 2023 Share Posted 27 April, 2023 Although must give credit for Cultural Quarter. Much improved on what was there before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 27 April, 2023 Share Posted 27 April, 2023 (edited) Anyone seen The Laughing Paki lately? N.B. it's not racist, that's his Nom De Guerre. Edited 27 April, 2023 by benjii Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpsaint Posted 28 April, 2023 Share Posted 28 April, 2023 On 27/04/2023 at 17:34, benjii said: Anyone seen The Laughing Paki lately? N.B. it's not racist, that's his Nom De Guerre. I came on here to post about him funnily enough! Someone posted a photo on Facebook not long ago as he’s been spotted in town recently. Someone in the comments was asking what his new “woke” name could be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 29 April, 2023 Share Posted 29 April, 2023 7 hours ago, bpsaint said: I came on here to post about him funnily enough! Someone posted a photo on Facebook not long ago as he’s been spotted in town recently. Someone in the comments was asking what his new “woke” name could be. Must be knocking on a bit by now. He was no spring chicken when I was a nipper! I understand he remains resolutely anti-woke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee On Solent Saint Posted 30 April, 2023 Share Posted 30 April, 2023 On 29/04/2023 at 06:29, benjii said: Must be knocking on a bit by now. He was no spring chicken when I was a nipper! I understand he remains resolutely anti-woke. I remember him, walked with a limp? Used to just cruise the buses all day? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 2 May, 2023 Share Posted 2 May, 2023 "you nutter" asking everyone for the time. I saw him on a train once in London and it felt wrong that he wasn't in Southampton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Mikey Posted 2 May, 2023 Share Posted 2 May, 2023 On 29/04/2023 at 06:29, benjii said: Must be knocking on a bit by now. He was no spring chicken when I was a nipper! I understand he remains resolutely anti-woke. Clearly has severe mental and physical health difficulties, I'm amazed he's still about. Feel sorry for the guy. What a life, spending your entire time being tormented and abused by kids and divs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whelk Posted 2 May, 2023 Share Posted 2 May, 2023 51 minutes ago, Saint Mikey said: Clearly has severe mental and physical health difficulties, I'm amazed he's still about. Feel sorry for the guy. What a life, spending your entire time being tormented and abused by kids and divs. Probably oblivious to it. I assumed he was bi polar and was laughing when at manic stage and no one saw him when he wasn’t laughing. Maybe he is ageless and put there as an angel to see how folk treat him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 2 May, 2023 Share Posted 2 May, 2023 Is Bang Bang still about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee On Solent Saint Posted 2 May, 2023 Share Posted 2 May, 2023 2 hours ago, Turkish said: Is Bang Bang still about? Retired this month by all accounts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 1 June, 2023 Author Share Posted 1 June, 2023 Anyone going to the beer festival at St Mary's this weekend? Might pop down tomorrow and spend the evening complaining about the beer normally served in the stadium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 1 June, 2023 Author Share Posted 1 June, 2023 On 25/04/2023 at 05:16, ant said: Smaller, interestingly. Albeit with other backing. A bit late back to this but after speaking to other people I wonder if we can expect to see the new Unity beer served in the Social, The Loft, Heartbreakers, Xoxo and Papillon in future? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant Posted 2 June, 2023 Share Posted 2 June, 2023 3 hours ago, The Cat said: Anyone going to the beer festival at St Mary's this weekend? Might pop down tomorrow and spend the evening complaining about the beer normally served in the stadium. Not myself, as I'm running an Omnipollo tap takeover at The Butcher's Hook, Friday to Sunday. Copped some flak from one of the CAMRA guys for daring to put something on at the same time as the festival. But surely fringe events are a good thing? 🤷♂️ Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how Unity 2.0 pans out. Good beer in more places isn't to be sniffed at. Just hope they remain authentic to the brewing as-was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 2 June, 2023 Author Share Posted 2 June, 2023 6 hours ago, ant said: Not myself, as I'm running an Omnipollo tap takeover at The Butcher's Hook, Friday to Sunday. Copped some flak from one of the CAMRA guys for daring to put something on at the same time as the festival. But surely fringe events are a good thing? 🤷♂️ Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how Unity 2.0 pans out. Good beer in more places isn't to be sniffed at. Just hope they remain authentic to the brewing as-was. Good luck, hope the takeover goes well. Some of the CAMRA lot do seem a bit strange. I really should make the effort to pop in to Butcher's Hook, I'm just never really in Bitterne Triangle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 5 June, 2023 Share Posted 5 June, 2023 (edited) On 24/04/2023 at 17:45, buctootim said: You'd think the National Oceanorgraphy centre would have planned it better. I really have trouble with these projections. Go to Bournemouth or Brighton piers and see how much the water has risen in over 100 years. Are they telling us water levels are going to surge 3 to 4 feet or more in 7 years????? Edited 5 June, 2023 by OldNick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 5 June, 2023 Share Posted 5 June, 2023 Even if the docks are under threat the ships should be ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 6 June, 2023 Author Share Posted 6 June, 2023 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whelk Posted 6 June, 2023 Share Posted 6 June, 2023 3 hours ago, The Cat said: Some poor incontinent pensioner just trying to keep warm and occupied I guess? Or a niche sex game? Hard to know which Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 6 June, 2023 Share Posted 6 June, 2023 36 minutes ago, whelk said: Some poor incontinent pensioner just trying to keep warm and occupied I guess? Or a niche sex game? Hard to know which It says at the end it was GM - so definitely incontinent pensioner. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give it to Ron Posted 13 June, 2023 Share Posted 13 June, 2023 On 02/06/2023 at 01:05, ant said: Not myself, as I'm running an Omnipollo tap takeover at The Butcher's Hook, Friday to Sunday. Copped some flak from one of the CAMRA guys for daring to put something on at the same time as the festival. But surely fringe events are a good thing? 🤷♂️ Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how Unity 2.0 pans out. Good beer in more places isn't to be sniffed at. Just hope they remain authentic to the brewing as-was. Problem Unity had was the location and charging over £6 a pint doesn’t draw people down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant Posted 13 June, 2023 Share Posted 13 June, 2023 2 hours ago, Give it to Ron said: Problem Unity had was the location and charging over £6 a pint doesn’t draw people down. Energy cost + ingredients cost means that's where the price is for anything that's not macro-brewed swill. If the market's not willing to pay it then fair enough. But if the inference was that it was naked profiteering then that's very much not the case. Based upon my own experience of the industry and the continuing success of places like Olaf's Tun, The Butcher's Hook, The Bookshop Alehouse, The Dancing Man etc. I feel it's fairly clear that there's still a desire for quality beer in the city, even if the pricepoint's premium. I've seen successful taprooms in far more obscure areas so am not sure the location's necessarily a critical issue either. And for any brewery worth its salt, the taproom's an extra arm of revenue rather than making up the bread & butter of sales. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give it to Ron Posted 13 June, 2023 Share Posted 13 June, 2023 49 minutes ago, ant said: Energy cost + ingredients cost means that's where the price is for anything that's not macro-brewed swill. If the market's not willing to pay it then fair enough. But if the inference was that it was naked profiteering then that's very much not the case. Based upon my own experience of the industry and the continuing success of places like Olaf's Tun, The Butcher's Hook, The Bookshop Alehouse, The Dancing Man etc. I feel it's fairly clear that there's still a desire for quality beer in the city, even if the pricepoint's premium. I've seen successful taprooms in far more obscure areas so am not sure the location's necessarily a critical issue either. And for any brewery worth its salt, the taproom's an extra arm of revenue rather than making up the bread & butter of sales. The best tap room for me charges nowhere near that Flacks is £4 a pint and do some great traditional beers. As a regular user of number of craft beer places Steel Tank , Steamtown, Bookshop, Witches, Clockwork all do quality craft for far less than £6 a pint that was my point and making an extra trip to Northam isn’t going to be on my list. The brewing industry is struggling we just lost a good one in Red Cat, Ringwood is being sold off but think that’s different they haven’t kept up trend. Itchen Valley went too. Thankfully Alfred is back . Maybe the new owners who have outlets in Southampton mentioned above can help Unity prosper by selling it . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant Posted 13 June, 2023 Share Posted 13 June, 2023 22 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said: The best tap room for me charges nowhere near that Flacks is £4 a pint and do some great traditional beers. That's apples and oranges, though. Trad ales are cheaper to produce. The dry-hop alone in something like Conflux will likely cost the same as the entire ingredients bill in a Flacks or Steam Town ale. Can't remember the last time I paid less than £6 a pint for the actual 1:1 equivalent of a Unity beer in, say, The Bookshop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give it to Ron Posted 13 June, 2023 Share Posted 13 June, 2023 35 minutes ago, ant said: That's apples and oranges, though. Trad ales are cheaper to produce. The dry-hop alone in something like Conflux will likely cost the same as the entire ingredients bill in a Flacks or Steam Town ale. Can't remember the last time I paid less than £6 a pint for the actual 1:1 equivalent of a Unity beer in, say, The Bookshop. I just checked a keg price list at one of my usual and yep you are right 5:80 . It’s probably best I stick to cask being a tight git! Mary only does cask anyway. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant Posted 13 June, 2023 Share Posted 13 June, 2023 1 hour ago, Give it to Ron said: I just checked a keg price list at one of my usual and yep you are right 5:80 . It’s probably best I stick to cask being a tight git! Mary only does cask anyway. 🙂 Lots of fantastic cask about, too - we get through tons of Vibrant Forest, Dark Revolution, Steam Town, Eight Arch, Flower Pots et al at The Hook. Plenty of less traditional, nationally-recognised breweries dipping their toes into cask, too. Have had some glorious pints recently from the likes Cloudwater, Verdant, Kernel, Vocation... We don't have it too bad 'round these parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give it to Ron Posted 13 June, 2023 Share Posted 13 June, 2023 1 hour ago, ant said: Lots of fantastic cask about, too - we get through tons of Vibrant Forest, Dark Revolution, Steam Town, Eight Arch, Flower Pots et al at The Hook. Plenty of less traditional, nationally-recognised breweries dipping their toes into cask, too. Have had some glorious pints recently from the likes Cloudwater, Verdant, Kernel, Vocation... We don't have it too bad 'round these parts. Dead right gone are the days of John Smiths or Doom Bar only and bars like yours have really given us drinkers some great choices. We are really lucky round here, I like Stonehenge, Downton and Bowman’s especially. I believe Dark Revolution are providing all Cunard beers on their ships tried a few like the Gold. I hear good things about The Hook must get over that way. Do you know what happened to Tap It? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 13 June, 2023 Author Share Posted 13 June, 2023 11 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said: Dead right gone are the days of John Smiths or Doom Bar only and bars like yours have really given us drinkers some great choices. We are really lucky round here, I like Stonehenge, Downton and Bowman’s especially. I believe Dark Revolution are providing all Cunard beers on their ships tried a few like the Gold. I hear good things about The Hook must get over that way. Do you know what happened to Tap It? I bought a Tap It beer in that posh Indian down the bottom of town a month or so ago so I presume they are still going. Used to get takeouts from them before COVID but then they seemed to shut the tap room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give it to Ron Posted 14 June, 2023 Share Posted 14 June, 2023 Good news on matchdays I just read the Engineers is reopening Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rut Posted 17 June, 2023 Share Posted 17 June, 2023 On 13/06/2023 at 09:25, Give it to Ron said: Thankfully Alfred is back . The King Alf on Old Northam Road is back? Who remembers the after game entertainment they used to put on upstairs? Are pubs still allowed to do that nowadays? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give it to Ron Posted 17 June, 2023 Share Posted 17 June, 2023 39 minutes ago, Rut said: The King Alf on Old Northam Road is back? Who remembers the after game entertainment they used to put on upstairs? Are pubs still allowed to do that nowadays? No sorry I meant the Alfred Brewery in Winchester who make great beer. Engineers close to ground is though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rut Posted 17 June, 2023 Share Posted 17 June, 2023 3 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said: No sorry I meant the Alfred Brewery in Winchester who make great beer. Thought this thread was about Southampton - not dirty northern shitholes like Winchester. Shame it ain't the Southampton King Alf - that was always a handy pub for games & used to put gigs on during the week as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 23 June, 2023 Author Share Posted 23 June, 2023 Anyone want to own up to this? https://www.hampshirelive.news/news/hampshire-news/naked-man-spotted-across-southampton-8547182 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 27 July, 2023 Author Share Posted 27 July, 2023 This craft beer festival at 1865 on 2nd September looks good https://www.belgiumandblues.co.uk/cbs Sadly we're at a festival that weekend but would be there otherwise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Balls Posted 3 August, 2023 Share Posted 3 August, 2023 On 17/06/2023 at 17:36, Rut said: The King Alf on Old Northam Road is back? Who remembers the after game entertainment they used to put on upstairs? Are pubs still allowed to do that nowadays? Ah those were the days. I was just a teenager and my dad would take me in there. By the time I hit my early 20s it was just a normal boozer on match days. Seem to remember they tried the same at The Royal Oak a few times. Would never get away with it now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabrice Fernandes no.1 fan Posted 4 August, 2023 Share Posted 4 August, 2023 17 hours ago, Golden Balls said: Ah those were the days. I was just a teenager and my dad would take me in there. By the time I hit my early 20s it was just a normal boozer on match days. Seem to remember they tried the same at The Royal Oak a few times. Would never get away with it now! On behalf of the junior members of the forum, what did they get away with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 4 August, 2023 Author Share Posted 4 August, 2023 1 hour ago, Fabrice Fernandes no.1 fan said: On behalf of the junior members of the forum, what did they get away with? Topless barmaids I believe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Behind Enemy Lines Posted 6 August, 2023 Share Posted 6 August, 2023 Rule 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Behind Enemy Lines Posted 24 August, 2023 Share Posted 24 August, 2023 Well, I’ve completed my move at the start of the week so after 15 years behind enemy lines, I’m back. Hoping to keep this thread alive so people post about events in the area Can any mod here add (Back From), actually in brackets, to the start of my name please?! 😂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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