Community celebrates Southsea pub's success

Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr Frank Jonas, presenting Jonathan McKerracher, landlord of The Hole In The Wall, in Southsea, with the Campaign for Real Ale's Portsmouth and south-east Hampshire pub of the year award

The Hole In The Wall, in Great Southsea Street, Southsea, is the Campaign for Real Ale’s Portsmouth and south-east Hampshire pub of the year.

As reported, it’s the fifth year on the trot the local has bagged the prize. It has previously also won it in 2007 and 2009.

Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Frank Jonas, presented pub landlords Jonathan and Kerry  McKerracher with the  prize.

Jon said: ‘Kerry and I are amazed every year we win it as we are only a tiny back-street local.

‘We are so lucky that we have the freehold and not constrained by a pubco lease, which also charges you extortionate rent on top of extortionately-priced beers.

‘The Portsmouth pub scene has developed hugely over the last few years, especially in Southsea with the likes of the Wave Maiden, Huis and Meat & Barrel popping up.

‘The King Street Tavern will be reopening at some point as well, offering a greater and more varied selection of ales.

‘Also the number of restaurants that have opened up around us is a big factor.’

Jon also said the work of his staff is a ‘major factor’ in the pub’s success.

Lib Dem councillor and Campaign for Real Ale member, Matthew Winnington, attended the trophy presentation.

He said: ‘It’s a fantastic pub. I have been there many times and my best anecdote about it is, when we had guests from Portsmouth, Rhode Island,  over, Cllr Hugh Mason and I wanted to take them  to a real, classic English pub, so we went to The Hole In The Wall.’