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NEOS Hospitality Brings Barbara’s Bier Haus to Bournemouth

Pub & Social Editorial Team
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NEOS Hospitality Brings Barbara’s Bier Haus to Bournemouth

Bournemouth’s nightlife is getting a big Alpine makeover this spring, as NEOS Hospitality confirm they’re bringing their après-ski themed party bar, Barbara’s Bier Haus, to Old Christchurch Road.

From Vodka Shots to Steins

The site, formerly home to Vodka Revolution until its sudden closure in April 2024, is now set for a £1.5 million refurbishment. Once the dust settles, Barbara’s will arrive with its signature Bavarian vibe – think big steins of beer, ski-lodge décor, and plenty of party atmosphere.

If all goes to plan, doors will reopen at the end of March 2025, just in time for Bournemouth’s spring and summer crowds.

NEOS Keeps Growing

This latest move takes NEOS’s portfolio up to 19 venues nationwide, with Bournemouth already home to sister spots Cameo and Myu. Barbara’s Bier Haus is one of the group’s core brands, alongside Bonnie Rogues and Circuit, and has built a reputation for transforming nights out into themed party experiences.

A Taste of Après Ski on the South Coast

Russell Quelch, CEO of NEOS Hospitality, called the Bournemouth launch “an exciting step forward” in the company’s growth strategy.

He added:

“Barbara’s transforms the venue into a vibrant social bar channelling Alpine vibes in the heart of Bournemouth. We are confident this will add a taste of après ski to the South Coast.”

Nightlife Evolution

With pubs and bars across the UK still facing challenging conditions, NEOS’s investment shows confidence in Bournemouth’s late-night scene. By banking on themed, experience-driven venues, the company is betting that partygoers want more than just a pint – they want a night out with personality.

And with Barbara’s Bier Haus soon to be pouring in Bournemouth, locals won’t have to book a flight to the Alps for their après ski fix.

Cubitt House Brings Sessions Arts Club to Chelsea’s Builders Arms

Richard Payne
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Cubitt House Brings Sessions Arts Club to Chelsea’s Builders Arms

Chelsea wine lovers are in for a treat this September as Cubitt House teams up with the acclaimed Sessions Arts Club for an exclusive evening of food, wine, and storytelling at The Builders Arms (Chelsea, London).

The collaboration is part of Bottles at The Builders Arms — a wine-led series where some of London’s finest wine experts and sommeliers take over the historic pub for a night of perfectly paired food and wine.

Sophie Liverman Takes the Stage

On Monday 8 September, Sophie Liverman, head of wine at Farringdon’s much-revered Sessions Arts Club, will host the evening. Liverman is known for her adventurous and carefully curated wine lists, and she’ll be guiding guests through a masterclass of bottles inspired by the islands — from the Canary Islands to Sicily, the Greek Islands and beyond.

The menu, curated by Cubitt House chef director Ben Tish, is crafted to match Liverman’s selections, creating a one-off dining and drinking experience.

More to Come in 2025

Later in the year, the series will also welcome Alex Price, head of wine at Plates — the UK’s first Michelin-starred plant-based restaurant. Price will host a festive season wine evening, bringing his expertise in innovative and sustainable wine pairings to Chelsea.

A Historic Setting

The Builders Arms itself is steeped in history, dating back to the 1800s when it served as a meeting point for builders working on nearby St Luke’s Church. Today, it remains a Chelsea favourite, blending heritage charm with a modern dining experience.

Pub Beer Garden Smoking Ban Plans Clarified As Government Issues Fresh Statement

Daniel Price
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Pub Beer Garden Smoking Ban Plans Clarified As Government Issues Fresh Statement

Fears of a smoking ban in pub beer gardens have been addressed after a fresh government statement clarified exactly what is — and isn’t — being planned.

As the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill is introduced to Parliament, many in the pub trade were concerned that outdoor smoking areas could be next in line following the original indoor ban brought in during UK Smoking Ban 2007.

That ban, introduced under Tony Blair, changed the pub landscape overnight — pushing smokers outside and making beer gardens a key part of the modern pub experience.

Now, nearly two decades later, the government is looking to go even further.

Under the proposed law, anyone born after 1 January 2009 would never legally be able to buy cigarettes or tobacco products — a major long-term shift aimed at phasing out smoking entirely.

The bill has been positioned as a move to protect public health, with billions spent every year treating smoking-related illness across the UK.

But the big question for pubs has been this:
Are beer gardens next?

According to Wes Streeting — not right now.

When announcing the plans, Streeting made it clear that the hospitality sector is not currently being targeted, stating that pubs, bars and clubs are not part of the immediate crackdown.

That message has since been reinforced by Andrew Gwynne, who confirmed that there are no current plans to ban smoking in pub beer gardens.

Instead, any future restrictions will focus on specific outdoor environments where vulnerable people are more likely to be.

These include:

  • Outside hospitals
  • School areas
  • Children’s playgrounds

Gwynne stressed that the government is trying to strike a balance — protecting public health while recognising that the hospitality industry has already faced significant challenges in recent years.

He made it clear that pubs, in particular, need the ability to continue trading successfully.

The statement will come as a relief to many landlords who rely heavily on outdoor spaces, especially since the 2007 smoking ban made beer gardens a central part of pub culture.

The bill also confirms that enforcement will continue to focus on businesses rather than individuals.

So while future generations may be banned from buying tobacco altogether, responsibility will sit with retailers — much like current laws around alcohol and underage sales.

For now, the message is clear:

Beer gardens are safe.

But the direction of travel from the government is just as clear — and the conversation around smoking in public spaces is far from over.

Frisco Pubs Expands Again as Heath Ball Takes on Highgate’s Angel Inn

Richard Payne
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Frisco Pubs Expands Again as Heath Ball Takes on Highgate’s Angel Inn

North London pub operator Heath Ball is set to add another jewel to his growing Frisco Pubs empire, as he prepares to open The Angel Inn in Highgate this November.

Ball, already well known for running the acclaimed Red Lion & Sun on North Road, will officially take over The Angel Inn on 4 November. The move marks his second Highgate pub and his fourth venue overall under the Frisco Pubs banner.

A Sister Site to the Red Lion & Sun

The Angel Inn is just 200 yards away from the Red Lion & Sun, but Ball sees the proximity as an opportunity rather than a challenge.

“While the two pubs are close together, it gives me a great opportunity to provide a ‘little sister’ site to the Red,” he explained. “It doesn’t seem to have done Tom Kerridge any harm in Marlow, with three pubs almost on the same road.”

With the new space, Ball plans to explore offerings that the Red Lion & Sun simply doesn’t have room for — such as a breakfast and brunch menu. He envisions The Angel as a more relaxed, welcoming option, while still delivering the same strong focus on quality food, drink, and atmosphere.

Building the Frisco Pubs Brand

Frisco Pubs already operates:

  • The Red Lion & Sun (Highgate, North London)
  • The Wenlock Arms (Hoxton, East London)
  • The Lockhart (Haywards Heath, West Sussex)

The Angel Inn will become the group’s fourth site, with Ball planning a light trade period until the New Year, before launching a full refurbishment and refreshed offer.

“We’re excited to take on this sister site to the Red,” said Ball. “We’re looking forward to offering more people the opportunity to experience our great food and hospitality services in Highgate.”

New Owners Aim to Revive The White Heather in Ferndown

Tom Harrison
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New Owners Aim to Revive The White Heather in Ferndown

A Dorset pub with a chequered past is under new management, with its landlords determined to turn the venue into a welcoming community hub.

The White Heather in Ferndown has long carried a reputation for bar fights and anti-social behaviour, but new owners Tony Freshwater and his partner Becky are determined to leave that behind.

From Rough to Friendly

Tony, who has years of experience behind the bar, says running his own pub has always been his dream. “It’s got a reputation of being quite a rough place and we want to change that,” he explained. “We’ve been after it for a few years now, there’s a lot of potential with this pub.”

He believes the closure of the local Wetherspoons has left Ferndown without a true communal space – a gap The White Heather is perfectly placed to fill.

A Fresh Start for Ferndown

The couple plan to introduce family-friendly events, using the car park for festivals, food vans, and live music. They’re also leaning into the pub’s dog-friendly nature – with their own two dogs already proving popular with customers.

Beyond the pints, Tony has ambitious plans to broaden the pub’s offer. With a licence from 8am, the team will be serving breakfast, as well as tea and cake sessions designed to bring older residents together for a chat.

Food will also be a priority, with a focus on affordable, good-quality pub classics. “The food has been hit and miss in there over the years,” Tony admitted. “We want to sell good pub grub that’s not too expensive because before the food wasn’t up to its full potential.”

Changing the Narrative

The couple’s mission is simple: to replace negativity with positivity. “We want to change how this pub has been viewed in the past and hope everyone will like it,” Tony said.

The White Heather officially reopened on 5 September and is already positioning itself as a pub where everyone – locals, families, dog walkers, and football fans – will feel at home.

Fans Divided As Jeremy Clarkson Reveals Price Of A Pint In His £1m Pub

Oliver Grant
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Fans Divided As Jeremy Clarkson Reveals Price Of A Pint In His £1m Pub

Fans of Jeremy Clarkson and his hit show Clarkson’s Farm have been left divided after visiting his newly opened pub and seeing the price of a pint.

The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire host opened The Farmer’s Dog over the August bank holiday weekend, with crowds reportedly queueing from as early as 8am to get inside.

The pub — which cost Clarkson around £1 million — sits just 20 minutes from his now-famous Diddly Squat Farm and has quickly become a major attraction for fans.

Inside, the focus is clear: British produce only. The pub serves a full range of Hawkstone beers and cider, all tied into Clarkson’s wider push to support UK farming.

But while many visitors praised the venue, others quickly took to social media to question the price of a pint.

At The Farmer’s Dog, pints range from £5.50 to £6 depending on what you’re drinking. Premium options like Hawkstone IPA, Premium Lager and cider sit at the £6 mark, while session lagers, pilsners and cask ales come in slightly cheaper at £5.50.

Half pints range between £2.90 and £3.10.

For some, that pricing didn’t go down well.

One critic said:
“Really necessary to charge those prices? Absolutely ripping people off because it’s on TV.”

Another added:
“Now you wonder why people go to the supermarket.”

But not everyone agreed.

Many fans were quick to defend Clarkson, pointing out that the pub isn’t trying to compete with standard high street venues.

Supporters highlighted that everything served is sourced from British farmers — something Clarkson himself has been very vocal about.

Ahead of opening, Clarkson explained that he had tried to ensure everything sold in the pub was grown or reared in the UK, even admitting it had been difficult to achieve fully.

For some, that commitment justifies the price.

One fan responded:
“Please stop complaining about the prices. You can’t compare it to a normal pub.”

And that’s where the divide really sits.

Is it expensive?
Or is it a different kind of pub altogether — one built around supporting British farming rather than competing on price?

Either way, one thing is certain — people are still queueing to get in.

Bear Cross Couple Call Time After 40 Years Behind the Bar

Richard Payne
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Bear Cross Couple Call Time After 40 Years Behind the Bar

After more than four decades in the licensed trade, a well-known Dorset pub couple have officially called time on an incredible career behind the bar.

Lisa and Adam Walkey, who spent the last 17 years running the Bear Cross pub and restaurant in Bournemouth, have now retired after serving communities across Dorset for over 40 years.

Over the years, the couple became familiar faces in several well-known pubs across the county, including The Derby’s Corner, The World’s End, The White Hart at Bishops Caundle, and most recently, The Bear Cross.

For many local customers, Lisa and Adam were far more than landlords. They became part of the social fabric of the pubs they ran, building loyal followings and helping create the kind of welcoming atmosphere that keeps regulars coming back year after year.

Their connection to the pub trade has also been deeply personal. The couple even held their wedding reception at The World’s End in Almer, and later this year they will celebrate 30 years of marriage.

Speaking about their long-standing relationship with Hall & Woodhouse, Lisa said they had remained loyal to the brewery because of its family-run values and the support they had received over the years.

To mark the end of their time at The Bear Cross, Lisa and Adam held a leaving party on Sunday 7 January, where family, friends and many long-standing regulars gathered to wish them well.

More than 200 people attended the event, including their daughter and two grandchildren, in what became a fitting send-off for a couple who have spent much of their lives serving others.

Reflecting on their time in the trade, Lisa thanked the many staff members who had worked alongside them over the years, praising their hard work and customer service as a major part of the success they had enjoyed across multiple venues.

She also paid tribute to the loyal customers who supported them throughout the years, saying it had been a pleasure to help people celebrate so many important moments in their lives.

Retirement, however, does not mean slowing down completely.

Lisa and Adam are now planning their next chapter, with Lisa set to continue making cakes and her well-known meringues — something many customers at The Bear Cross will already be familiar with.

The couple hope to build a local cake-making business and eventually trade at Wimborne Market, bringing their homemade sweet treats to the wider community.

With more free time finally ahead of them, Lisa said one of the things they are most looking forward to is spending more time together and with their family — including enjoying occasions they often had to miss while working in hospitality.

After 40 years of looking after everyone else, it now seems it is their turn to enjoy life on the other side of the bar.

World Cup Fever in Britain’s Pubs: Patriotism, Pints and Packed Bars

Pub & Social Editorial Team
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World Cup Fever in Britain’s Pubs: Patriotism, Pints and Packed Bars

When the FIFA World Cup comes around, Britain’s pubs are transformed.

Flags appear in windows, giant screens are switched on, and bars fill with supporters eager to cheer on England national football team. Pints flow, songs ring out and, for a few weeks, the nation’s pubs become the beating heart of the country.

But alongside the excitement, big sporting events often raise an important question: does all this celebration strengthen communities, or can it sometimes create problems?

“We’re just here to have fun. We don’t want to hurt anyone.”

For many fans, that sentiment captures exactly what watching football in the pub is all about.

Why Pubs Come Alive During the World Cup

Few occasions bring people together quite like a major football tournament.

Whether in bustling city sports bars or small village locals, supporters gather to share the highs and lows of every match. The atmosphere can be electric, with strangers becoming friends for 90 minutes as they unite behind the national team.

The pub provides the perfect setting:

  • Large screens and lively crowds
  • A shared sense of national pride
  • Great food and drink
  • The camaraderie that only pubs can offer

For many people, watching England in the World Cup is as much about the atmosphere as it is about the football itself.

A Celebration of National Pride

Supporters say the overwhelming majority of fans simply want to enjoy the occasion.

One England fan, Ben Robins, explained that while there are more people and more drinking during tournament matches, most fans behave responsibly.

“Whilst there are more people and more drinking, the people generally don’t cause a mess.”

He added:

“We’re just here to celebrate.”

That sense of shared patriotism is a huge part of what makes World Cup nights so memorable.

The View from Behind the Bar

Pub staff often experience both sides of the story.

On one hand, major tournaments can lead to louder and more energetic crowds. On the other, they can deliver a significant boost in trade.

A bar employee in Bournemouth noted that customers had been drinking more and becoming increasingly lively as England progressed through the tournament.

Yet despite the occasional rowdy behaviour, he acknowledged the importance of the extra business.

“You can’t help but appreciate the business it brings.”

For many pubs, football tournaments provide a welcome increase in revenue during quieter periods.

Millions of Pints and a Massive Boost for Hospitality

Major England matches can have a dramatic impact on pub sales.

During the England v Senegal World Cup match, reports suggested that around 15 million pints were sold across the country.

That surge in trade demonstrates just how important sporting events can be for the hospitality sector.

For pubs facing rising costs and economic pressures, tournaments like the World Cup offer more than entertainment—they provide a significant commercial opportunity.

Keeping the Atmosphere Positive

Both supporters and publicans agree on one thing: the best football nights are those where everyone enjoys the occasion responsibly.

Win or lose, the pub should remain a welcoming environment where fans can celebrate together without causing problems for others.

When that balance is achieved, football becomes a powerful force for bringing communities together.

More Than Just a Game

The World Cup highlights the unique role pubs play in British life.

They are not simply places to watch sport. They are gathering places where people share emotions, build friendships and create memories.

From the roar when a goal hits the net to the collective tension of a penalty shootout, few experiences capture the spirit of the British pub quite like a major tournament.

“When England play, the pub becomes more than a venue. It becomes part of the national experience.”

Final Whistle

For most fans, the World Cup in the pub is a celebration of football, friendship and national pride.

There may be occasional challenges, but the overwhelming story is one of people coming together to support their team and enjoy the atmosphere.

And for pubs across the country, that shared excitement is a reminder of the important role they continue to play at the centre of British social life.

Have you watched England in your local pub? Tell us about the best atmosphere you’ve experienced during a World Cup or major tournament in the comments below.

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