Southsea’s Clarence Pier Brewers Fayre re-opens its doors following a year of closure
The seaside pub welcomes back the public with a new look after being devastated by Storm Eunice in February 2022.
Clarence Pier Brewers Fayre was forced to close after Storm Eunice caused severe water damage to the building (which is located directly next to the sea), causing the roof to collapse and electrical fires to start.
Staff members from the Southsea pub were transferred to other Whitbread pubs including Bar + Block Steakhouse, plus Port Solent and Bognor Regis locations to ensure job stability during the renovation process, which started in September 2022.
After a year without trading, the family pub enters its third week of business since re-opening its new doors- and business is booming.
The general manager of the pub, Kelly Windebank, said: ‘It’s gone mentally crazy busy.’
Having had a huge interior transformation, the pub gained a large, modern bar stocked with new cocktails and shots, as well as a fully updated, open and free soft play area. Ms Windebank added: ‘It just makes it look so much more trendy.’
As well as a new variety of drinks, the Southsea pub had an extra 60 seats put into the restaurant area. With the holiday season drawing closer, the Long Curtain Road pub is expected to welcome many new beachgoers and holidaymakers, alongside a mass recruitment of seasonal staff.
On March 4, the pub is holding a launch party to celebrate a successful re-opening. There will be activities including a magician for kids, plus a live band. Bernard the bear from the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH) will make an appearance too.
Ms Windebank, who has worked at the pub since 2015, said: ‘I’m so happy to be open, it’s like being back home again.’
