Life has never been better at Portsmouth's '˜Froddy' pub

It's a community pub that feared for the future after its previous owners gave it up.
From left, landlady of the Froddington Arms Tash Adelaide and assistant manager Jade Landing  

Picture: Sarah Standing (160642-5083)From left, landlady of the Froddington Arms Tash Adelaide and assistant manager Jade Landing  

Picture: Sarah Standing (160642-5083)
From left, landlady of the Froddington Arms Tash Adelaide and assistant manager Jade Landing Picture: Sarah Standing (160642-5083)

But now The Froddington Arms, in Fratton, Portsmouth, is thriving once again and doing more than ever for its customers and for good causes.

Previous leaseholder Steve Lant left just before Christmas, which made staff fear for their jobs and what could happen to the pub in Fratton Road.

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But they’ve kept their jobs under new operator Maritime Inns and are delighted with how it has remained relevant and a hub for drinkers who chat and listen to music.

Last weekend, the Froddy, as it is known, held a fundraiser for Help for Heroes and managed to pull in £600 thanks to an auction and raffle and the generosity of punters.

The occasion was arranged by Froddington regular Gary Jennings, who formerly served in the armed forces as a soldier.

Landlady Tash Adelaide, who has commanded the pumps for two years, says things are looking up.

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Natasha, who leads a team of seven, said: ‘I’m so glad we stayed. It’s a big part of our lifestyle.

‘The pub is going from strength to strength at the moment.’

There’s a packed entertainment schedule every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and the pub has become a meeting place for ska lovers and the Hampshire Skinhead Association.

Tash said she’s a big fan of conversation and doesn’t ever want to see her customers feel alienated.

She said: ‘We take an interest in our customers. We want to know what they like, and we like to give them things to enjoy their evening.

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‘It’s not just about selling beer behind the bar, it’s about everyone enjoying themselves and everyone being sociable.

‘Rather than being in a pub with a phone in your hand, we want to see people talk to the person sitting across the bar and bring back the social aspect in a pub.

‘That’s what we are about, and for the past two years it’s worked.

‘It’s about taking an interest in the person next to you.

‘It’s not what it used to be years ago – now people communicate over Facebook or text message.

‘But how about sitting in a bar and having a conversation?’

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The pub prides itself on selling two real ales, and hopes to get another one going soon.

And Tash said it’s important her pub remains ahead of the curve.

She said: ‘You need to keep on your toes and keep thinking of different things. As soon as you stop doing that, that’s when things go wrong.’

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