Your chance to run Gosport's oldest pub that was Admiral Nelson's drinking haunt

The Fox, in North Street, is looking for someone to become its new tenanted landlord under a five year agreement with pubco Admiral Taverns.

The pub is the oldest in the area, having opened in 1736 – and later becoming a popular drinking haunt of Admiral Nelson, according to local legend.

Taking on this piece of Gosport history will cost £6,000, which covers a security deposit, working capital, and initial stock.

Current landlord Steve Davis said he plans to move on for ‘personal reasons,' with the pub remaining open while Admiral Taverns finds ‘a good fit' for the historic pub.

It also comes with a variety of loyal regulars, according to a former barmaid.

Serving a wide range of lagers, cask ales and ciders, the pub hosts regular events including ladies darts on Tuesdays, pool league on Thursday, and a meat raffle on Sundays.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said: ‘The pub has great regulars – you could set your watch by them. We could have their drinks ready before they walked in the doors.

‘And we got young and old, men and women – we’d have a lot of veterans come in and kids with their parents.’

In 2018, the pub rallied the community to ensure regular Raymond ‘Danny’ Daniels avoided a pauper’s funeral after the 72-year-old navy veteran died outside his house without any surviving relatives or the means to pay for a funeral.

Councillor Keith Farr, who represents Town ward on the borough council, said there was ‘not a huge number of places’ in the area where residents could drink.

He said: ‘The Middlecroft closed about five years ago.

‘There are a lot of pubs closing down.

‘But there always seems to be quite a few people in the Fox. It is a nice little pub for local people.

‘There’s not a huge number of places in the area where you can go for a drink.’

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Primarily a drinks-led community pub, there is ‘a great opportunity’ to introduce food, according to Admiral Taverns, with a partially equipped commercial kitchen on site.

The pub chain said: ‘You must have the skill set to re-introduce food and have a strong marketing plan with entertainment and sporting events to encourage new clientele whilst embracing the local community.’

The Fox has a lounge and public bar, both with separate external entrances, as well as a patio garden.

Admiral Taverns, which runs more than 1000 pubs nationwide was named Best Tenanted/Leased Pub Company of the Year at the Publican Awards 2019, the third time in six years the business has won the award.