Three Southsea pubs look forward to getting back to business as usual

THREE popular Southsea pubs are celebrating being back in business - and are gearing up to reopening properly.
Customers enjoying Porters

Picture: Sam StephensonCustomers enjoying Porters

Picture: Sam Stephenson
Customers enjoying Porters Picture: Sam Stephenson

The One Eyed Dog and The Honest Politician, both in Elm Grove, and Porters, in Albert Road, are welcoming back customers after a particularly tough few months which saw them forced to close due to coronavirus restrictions.

It has been an extremely tough past 18 months for all businesses in the hospitality industry, with pubs and restaurants being unable to open.

Then they were only able to have customers outdoors and now they can have customers indoors but only that which accounts for 50 per cent of their indoor occupancy due to social distancing.

The Honest Politician pub in Southsea.

Picture: Sam StephensonThe Honest Politician pub in Southsea.

Picture: Sam Stephenson
The Honest Politician pub in Southsea. Picture: Sam Stephenson
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Due to restricted outdoor space, The One Eyed Dog, The Honest Politician and Porters – all owned and run by Joe Collis – were only able to officially welcome customers back into their pubs as of May 17.

But with the pubs are back open, the public are being urged to support them.

Tony Armitage, 32, who has been the manager of The One Eyed Dog for the past six years and lives in Eastney, said: ‘Overall we have been really pleased with business since reopening, of course we would love for the current restrictions to be lifted, but only if it is safe to do so, just so then we could increase how many people can welcome inside our pub.

The One Eyed Dog manager Toby Armitage, 32.
Picture: Sam StephensonThe One Eyed Dog manager Toby Armitage, 32.
Picture: Sam Stephenson
The One Eyed Dog manager Toby Armitage, 32. Picture: Sam Stephenson

‘Currently business is the best it possibly could be, and we are doing everything we can do to be Covid safe, which all our customers have been really supportive and on board with.

‘In particular our customers love our happy hour, which takes place 4pm until 7pm everyday where drinks such as our beers, cocktails, ciders and wines are discounted.

‘We are open from 4pm until 1am Sunday to Thursday, and 4pm until 3.30am Friday and Saturdays - so there is time for everyone to come visit!’

The One Eyed Dog
Picture: Sam StephensonThe One Eyed Dog
Picture: Sam Stephenson
The One Eyed Dog Picture: Sam Stephenson

All three pubs are known for having their own individual attractive facilities for customers – such as The One Eyed Dog’s secret garden or The Honest Politician’s pool tables.

In addition, Porters has also recently launched its food for delivery on UberEats and Deliveroo, giving those who have been unable to visit them in person an alternative.

With the rules set to change again on July 19, all three pubs are looking forward to a return to normality.

- Story by Sophie Gibbons

Assistant manager of Porters Jack Rose, 31.

Picture: Sam StephensonAssistant manager of Porters Jack Rose, 31.

Picture: Sam Stephenson
Assistant manager of Porters Jack Rose, 31. Picture: Sam Stephenson

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The Honest Politician pub in Southsea. Pictured is Jake Whitehead, 25, in the pub.

Picture: Sam StephensonThe Honest Politician pub in Southsea. Pictured is Jake Whitehead, 25, in the pub.

Picture: Sam Stephenson
The Honest Politician pub in Southsea. Pictured is Jake Whitehead, 25, in the pub. Picture: Sam Stephenson

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