Two Portsmouth pubs set for beer garden makeovers under new plans
Wetherspoons has submitted plans to transform beer gardens at two locations with historical local touches
Two Portsmouth Wetherspoons pubs could get revamped beer gardens, with new seating, planting and designs celebrating the city’s history.
The national pub chain has applied to Portsmouth City Council to refurbish outdoor areas at the John Jacques on Fratton Road and create new courtyards at the Sir John Baker on London Road.
At the Sir John Baker, the existing garden would be partly replaced by a new courtyard, with some indoor space to the rear of the pub also being converted.
The plans show around 12 tables in the main courtyard, split between two- and four-seater tables.
According to the planning documents, the courtyard would feature “high level planting” that “imparts a natural ‘garden’ environment to the courtyard”.
Design features would also explore the “area and site history include the ‘cobblers table’ poseur seating and the umbrella lighting/shades”.
The design is intended to honour two Portsmouth figures – Jonas Hanway and John Pound.
Hanway is described as the first man in England to carry an umbrella, while Pound was a cobbler who turned his workshop into a school for less fortunate children.
A second, smaller courtyard is also proposed on the side of the Sir John Baker opposite the bar, making use of existing underused outdoor space.
The plans show five two-seater tables positioned along a brick wall, alongside planters, lighting and artwork.
Over at the John Jacques, the pub’s existing garden on the corner of the premises would be revamped.
A new Millboard and glass boundary, along with planting, would be introduced to “provide greater enclosure to the garden area”, which currently fronts Fratton Road.
The plans also feature designs celebrating the history of the Co-op, which “was formed by dockyard workers tackling exploitation, inequality and life-threatening poverty”.
A sculpture of a jacket would commemorate James Gieve, a Portsmouth-born tailor and businessman who founded Gieves, the renowned naval tailoring firm supplying uniforms to the Royal Navy.
The firm later gained Royal Warrants and dressed generations of the Royal Family.
Residents can view and comment on the plans for the John Jacques (26/00946/FUL) or the Sir John Baker (26/00951/FUL) on the council’s website.