Here are some wonderful old photos of The Retreat in the 80s.
The Retreat in the Eighties
We’re Planning on Reopening.
When on earth was it we locked our doors for the refurbishment? It was ages ago. We expected and hoped to be reopen again before Christmas. As we all know, circumstances required all pubs to close.
Following Boris Johnson’s announcement earlier this week we are now working towards opening our doors w/c 17 May 2021. This may change but it is the date we are working to…and the beer order is being compiled!
Already, in an optimistic and positive fashion, we are booking up live music for June onwards. We are also keen to make sure we get great jazz scheduled again; Stuart Henederson and Simon Price are already booked for June.
PS: It was Thursday 22 October we closed. That will make it a closure of 207 days.
The Refurbishment Has Started
We are now closed for refurbishment and our contractors have already started work. Our reopening date will be in November but we cannot confirm the precise date yet.
In the meantime, do please visit our friends at the local pubs in the beer triangle: The Lyndhurst and the Weather Station.
We will be keeping you posted on our progress on this page and via Facebook and Twitter.
We’re Open This Weekend
Pop in and see us this week, we will be open Wednesday to Sunday. This is your chance to see The Retreat before we set about our refurbishment. Click here for our opening hours.
I wanted to update you about the refurbishment plans at The Retreat. We will be locking our door at the close of business on Thursday 22 October and work to refurbish the pub will commence on Monday 26 October 2020. NB, there is a small chance these dates could vary.
We’ve got lots to get done, from the chimney right down to the bars and the toilets. Our contractors feel confident that everything can be completed in four weeks. You can keep up to date on the progress via our website at www.TheRetreat.pub where there will be regular updates.
Brian Moignard and The Retreat Team
Show How Clever You Are and Support Your Local Pub
It’s Quiz Night this evening, Wednesday 9 September, at The Retreat. Gather together your cleverest three friends and get along to The Retreat and have some fun with Mike Burt’s quiz.
Here are the details you need to know.
Are Pubs Affected by Yesterday’s Announcement?
The quick answer, for The Retreat, is no.
The announcement yesterday that people can only meet in groups of up to six was ambiguous with regards to its impact on pubs.
The good news is that a Government spokesperson this morning explained, “Pubs and restaurants will be allowed to have more than 30 people on the premises provided Covid-19 secure guidelines are being followed and other social distancing measures are still in place. This includes limiting those at a table to groups from a maximum of two households. Pubs and other hospitality venues are not subject to the 30-person limit because they have put measures in place to be Covid-secure.
The Retreat and Track & Trace
Brian Moignard, landlord of The Retreat, was a guest on the mid-morning on BBC Radio Berkshire with host Sarah Walker on Tuesday 1 September. He was being asked about how Track & Trace is working at the pub.
You can here is dulcet tones here >>> https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08ntw59 (from 1:39:12 to 1:41:37).
If the programme is not available, here is the clip:
It’s all happening in St John’s Street
Luke Kendrick heard about the refurbishment plans for The Retreat. Like a good neighbour, he didn’t want to let the street down and he set about decorating his own front door.
Our plans for the works at The Retreat should be finalised and agreed with the contractors next week. The project has already been approved by the Brewery.
At the moment, we expect to be closing in the second half of September for about four weeks. We will be able to provide more precise dates soon.
Preserving the Heritage
What work will be carried out? Well, we don’t want to give away too much at the moment, but the carpet is going, the toilets will dramatically change and there are many more things on the list as well.
We are proud that The Retreat is a Real Heritage Pub in the eyes of CAMRA and we will be ensuring that the essential character of the pub will be preserved.
Lost Property
If any of the clothing above is yours, now is a good time to collect it.
We’ve Been Moving The Furniture
Good news. We now have a couple of tables for four people in the back bar. After reviewing how the pub has been operating, it’s been decided that it’s appropriate to slightly increase the seating capacity and that has allowed us to configure the seating to allow for a couple of tables for four.
Takeaway Real Ale
You can now buy the real ales on tap at The Retreat in two-pint sealed containers to takeaway. Enjoy some great beer at home at a special price of £7 for two-pints.
This weekend we have Harvey’s Brewery Sussex Best Bitter, Wye Valley Hereford Pale Ale (HPA) and Butcombe Original…all subject to availability.
Remember, the off-sales are not to be consumed on the premises or immediately outside of the pub.
