The Pre Bar (The New Inn)
This pub dates back to at least the early 1870s and was owned Scrase’s Star Brewery, which was situated behind The Star Inn in the High Street (click to view our Updated Drinks Map here) and was one of the most important local breweries. It later passed through the hands of Strong’s Romsey Brewery, the Whitbread Group and Gale’s Horndean Brewery. It was a beer house until 5 April 1957 when it was granted a full licence on the surrender of the suspended licence of the bombed Kennington Arms in East Street. (Note: From the late nineteenth century the government had been trying to reduce the number of licensed premises and the 1945 Licensing Act ordered that no new licences could be granted).
George Hellier moved from The Mount Hotel to become the first landlord. His successor, Thomas Gulliver, came from a local family many of whom ran businesses in the Valley and he stayed in charge for thirty years (1904–1934). Harold Furnell then took over until at least 1960. The coach house at the side of the pub was probably built at the same and was used as stables with storage above. At some time it was converted to living accommodation. In 2009 an archaeological examination and record was made of the building because a landlady wished to make structural changes.
Before becoming the Pre bar, it was The Usual Suspects and The Inferno.
Before becoming the Pre bar, it was The Usual Suspects and The Inferno.