Former Ringwood Social Club could become new town centre bar

A premises licence application for the old Ringwood Social Club in West Street has been submitted to transform the listed building into a venture called ‘The Pour House’.

Conditions of the application aim for the premises to operate daily from 8am to 1.30am (until 12.30am on Sundays) and for the sale of alcohol, as well as provision for live music.

The venture is spearheaded by site owner Ringwood Club Ltd whose secretary,, Helen Homewood, has long campaigned to restore the old social club to its former glory after it closed more than a decade ago.

Ringwood Social Club building in 2017 before restoration work was completed. (Image: Newsquest)

Members of the club voted to close it in April 2011 after its financial and management difficulties were highlighted and it was left struggling to attract enough business to the West Street venue.

A restoration project was seemingly shelved in February 2019 after the social club committee struggled to navigate the more than 20 planning conditions necessary to get the development off the ground.

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Since then, the listed building has remained empty but work to give it a new lease of life once again appears to be gathering steam.

Restoration work has since taken place to the main building both internally and externally ahead of transforming into the proposed bar while an exterior extension to the club, which was built in the 1970s, has been demolished as part of the redevelopment.

Before and after work to demolish part of Ringwood Social Club. (Image: Newsquest)

The main club building is Grade II listed and was previously known as The Antelope and Albany Temperance Hotel. After the First World War it became the Comrades Club and later the British Legion Club and Ringwood Social Club.

Residents have taken to social media to discuss the possibility of the club reopening as ‘The Pour House’. One said: “Sounds great. [Would] be wonderful to have more investment down that end of town.”

Another said: “New housing was also created on site so I think the very extensive opening hours need looking at as they’re going to affect residents in the area considerably, especially in the evenings.”

Residents wishing to comment on the proposals must do so by emailing licensing@nfdc.gov.uk before Monday, March 20.