OUR STORY

Since 1867, patrons of The Antelope Inn have enjoyed a pint with a view of the River Avon, which, back in the day, had a rather different look..

An enchanting 1887 snapshot features West Street, presenting The Antelope Inn in neighbourly competition with The New Inn.

Old photo of the Albany Temperance Hotel

Patrons of the Albany temperance hotel embracing sobriety, standing proudly in the doorway as teetotalers, their ale-quaffing escapades and liquor-laden past but a memory.

January 1915 saw West Street turned into an impromptu river, with water levels soaring and the neighbourhood getting an unexpected soak.

By 1953, number 19 had taken on the new title of 'The British Legion Club', continuing its noble tradition of hydrating the good folks of West Street.

Number 19, the building with a then, brick-red hue, was all decked out and looking dapper, ready for the Royal Coronation festivities.

Old Photo of British Legion Ringwood coronation

A quaint scene where Foots Bakery, The British Legion, and The Bridge House Hotel stand side by side, each with its own unique charm and story to tell.

Ringwood Social Club as a CIU club blanketed in snow.

The Ringwood Social Club, standing desolate at its 2011 curtain call.

Peeking at the Ringwood Social Club's yesteryears, snapped from the rear, just before its makeover kicked off..

Old photo of rear of Ringwood Social Club

Old photo of the rear of Ringwood Social Club

Looking back to 2011, the view is clear: revamping that site was a Herculean task!

The Ringwood Social Club's entrance, back in 2011, stood proudly before meeting its untimely end at the hands of the demolition crew.

Old photo Ringwood Social Club front Bay window

The dance floor, weary from nights of endless shuffles and shakes, before it becomes our main bar, while the bay window seating now offers a front-row view to watch the world go by.

The once weary skittle alley before it`s transformation into our cozy bay seating area, complete with a stage that spotlights the talents of local bands.

This once-forgotten space has now been revamped into a swanky new addition to our function room.

A previously unused space has been transformed into our charming new function room, complete with delightful sash windows offering views of West Street.

This once weary room has been revived as the Pump Room bar, ready to quench thirsts and lift spirits!

The aged two-story structure stands empty, poised for its grand finale before bowing out to the upcoming car park and outside seating area.

Photo of Ringwood Social Club to be demolished

Disentangling the listed building from its '70s sidekick in 2018 was no walk in the park.

In the end, there was nothing but a mound of debris. Numerous trucks bustled to and fro, hauling away the massive piles of rubble.

The scaffolding stands tall, poised to revamp the façade into its former charming glory.

Kicking off the makeover for the Pour House's main bar area – it's time for a fresh pour of style! 🍻

Seeing the old building get a facelift was like watching history wake up from a long nap, stretching its walls and windows, ready to entertain us all over again.

Tweaking things up and giving the upstairs a major makeover to transform it into the ultimate party room.

Preparing the charming, quirky sash windows and sills, getting ready to transform the upstairs bar area.

The Early Days

Our wonderful Grade II listed building has been a neighbourhood cornerstone since the late 1600s, during the reign of King William III. Initially known as "a dwelling on The High Street," it began its storied existence with a penchant for libations.

This venerable structure has played host to pubs, housed wine and spirits vendors, sheltered a cobbler, pampered feet as a chiropodist's haven, served up tea as a cafe, and even promoted sobriety as a temperance hotel, among other ventures.

The building boasts a storied past, having operated under numerous business names and home to a colorful cast of characters including owners, tenants, landlords, and servants. In parallel, the street has undergone its own evolution, shifting from The High Street to Bridge Street, before finally embracing its destiny as West Street.

The original pubs, owned by The Carter Brewery, utilised water from the River Avon for brewing their beer and subsequently constructed their family home in the adjacent building, known as The Bridge House.

In a twist fit for a novel, the brewer's last heiress swapped pints for piety, transforming no. 17 into the Albany Temperance Hotel, a haven for the sober-minded.

Post-World War I, these buildings found new life as a members' club, thriving under a committee's care as a not-for-profit venture which continues to this very day.

Becoming a club

The Comrades Club sprang to life post-WWI, snapping up property 19 shortly followed by number 17. As time marched on, it morphed into the British Legion Club and eventually Ringwood Social Club.

Come the 1970s, the club snapped up the neighbouring Foots bakery, paving the way for a grand two-storey hall with a swanky new function suite upstairs. To this day, many reminisce about the club's heyday, hosting everything from wedding bashes to christenings, birthday shindigs and beyond.

The Closure

Ringwood Social Club, once the toast of the 80s and 90s, began to lose its fizz in the 2000s. Saddled with a hefty tab for renovations, shifting trends, mounting debts, and a not-so-merry-go-round of dwindling membership and ballooning expenses, the club finally called last orders and shut down in May 2011.

In the face of the club's impending closure, a spirited squad of local members rallied to form a steering committee. This new team, bound by their affection for the building's heritage and their familial connections, hatched a scheme to defy the shutdown. With hearts full of passion and nerves of steel, they embarked on their mission to preserve the club for future generations.

And so it began again...

A new beginning

The newly formed committee, inheriting a vast plot burdened by a heritage building looking rather forlorn, set off on an epic quest. Their mission: to find a brave soul to purchase part of the car park and a builder with the courage to tackle the herculean task ahead.

Led by the committee`s sisters, Tina and Helen, and, aided by a band of stellar solicitors, visionary architects, and skilled tradespeople, they dove into the fray of planning permissions and heritage consents, embarking on what would become a legendary saga.

After a marathon of setbacks, heaps of stress, and moments when the committee almost threw in the towel, they finally clinched their planning permission in the summer of 2016.

Armed with their supportive project manager and tradesman the work finally began in 2017. The demolition of the two-storey '70s add-on kicked off a grand redevelopment and restoration saga, moving back into the original front building with all the seriousness of a historical drama series.

For the next few years, the committee tackled their mission with unwavering determination, pouring sweat and elbow grease into building, clearing, designing, and painting, all while keeping their eyes on the prize: the grand opening day.

In the midst of a constantly evolving committee, they persevered. Despite the lockdown throwing a wrench in the works, causing delays and a fair share of stress, they soldiered on. At last, reaching the finish line, they embarked on the exciting journey of hiring staff and orchestrating the grand opening day, set for Saturday, 29th July 2023.

Opening success

With a complete makeover, a snazzy new name, and a shiny pub license, they swung open the doors of The Pour House to a brand new chapter.

Sashaying into the new pub/club, greeting punters once again with fabulous drinks, and a lineup of live tunes and shindigs.

At last, the revamp of the upstairs function room also wrapped up, and The Pump Room flung open its doors for bookings.

Cheers to our loyal members who've stuck with us waiting to prop up the bar for the last dozen years – here's to fresh pours and new stories!

What's next

The committee isn't finished yet; they're now on a mission to whip up some grub so patrons can munch and sip to their hearts' content. Meanwhile, final touches are being applied, and the outdoor area is being transformed into a delightful drinking spot for patrons.

And let's not forget, they're packing the calendar with events to bring back that buzzing vibe to West Street, steering The Pour House towards a bright future for the merry-makers of today and tomorrow.

Thanks to..

Helen and Tina, despite the numerous obstacles, for their hard work, perseverance, foresight, and dedication to preserving The Pour House for Ringwood and its future generations.

The Committee, both past and present, deserves recognition for their support, hard work, and belief in the project.

Thanks also to all those who helped along the way of which there are so many!

A special thanks goes to

Richard Boyer- Solicitor

James Whitney - DOT Architects

Jay Randell - Electrician

Dave Spencer and team- Project Manager

Colin Randell -Stan Randell Builders

Keiron Drayson - Forest Edge Flooring

Dan Chapman- Plumbing

Barrel To Tap - Romsey

Zack Rivett -Multi-Signs - Ringwood

Gregory Adams Roofing

Alan Watson - Builder

B. E Willis Partnership - Engineer

Sid Jeanes - Ringwood Scaffolding

Tony Doyle - Prime Demolition

Mr. and Mrs. C Andrews

Early Photos credited to the Tony and Barbara Baker Collection.

All other photos owned and supplied by The Pour House.

Tap on the photos to expand them and enjoy their details.

We are honored to have been awarded the Design & Conservation Award 2023 by The Ringwood Society for Best Commercial Project, acknowledging our building's restoration. Further details can be found here:

ringwoodsociety.org.uk