Southsea publicans to quit Pompey pub after '˜fantastic' run

But now hard-working couple Louise and Cliff Charter are retiring from the pub game after seven memorable years at The Golden Eagle in Delamere Road, Southsea.

While some get out of the industry due to rising demands and costs, Louise and Cliff say they’re leaving on a high and feel ready to enjoy more of a life together.

Louise, 52, said: ‘We have had loads of fun here, we’ve had an absolutely fantastic time.

‘But we are not getting any younger.

‘We love the pub game, but at the end of the day, we have got lots of plans.

‘We would like to travel, go camping, eat dinner together.

‘It’s nothing to do with the brewery, Fuller’s, which has been great to us.

‘We know there are a lot of local pubs here that have had their rent and business rates put up.

‘But that’s nothing to do with us, we have done very well.’

The pub goes down a treat with Pompey fans and is known for its match-day barbecues.

Visitors are big fans of its wide range of flavoured vodkas.

Since taking over, Louise and Cliff, 59, have helped to raise £2,000 for Help for Heroes and close to £5,000 for their main charity, The Gurkha Welfare Trust.

The cash has been raised through tins on the bar, fundraising events and Louise has taken on the Great South Run twice with bar staff.

Louise says she’ll be leaving with loads of happy memories – and will miss her loyal customers.

She said: ‘We’ll definitely miss our football boys, the supporters who have supported us.

‘We will miss the live music too. We’ve been able to build this place up to be a really good live music venue.

‘And then there are our amazing customers.

‘Without them, we wouldn’t have survived.

‘Our locals have been brilliant to us and supported us.’

The couple say they plan to leave by the end of May.

But it’s not all sad news – as the couple say the pub won’t close.

Louise said: ‘The pub will carry on. We have a couple of people interested in taking up the reins.’

Louise said it’s more important than ever pubs begin to diversify to stay alive.

She said: ‘Given the current economic climate, it will get harder.

‘Pubs will have to diversify and be like coffee shops or restaurants.’