A father and daughter from Southampton have reopened the Engineers Arms as a pub after it ceased trading in 1982.
Markus Dov, 47, and daughter Esmay, 20, reopened the pub on Northam Road, that dates back to the 1850s on Monday.
Having previously been the landlord of the Windsor Castle in Shirley for two-and-a-half years, Markus has moved across the city to open his “dream community pub,” which took four and a half months to get ready before opening.
He said: “It’s always been my dream to have a community pub where people can come in for a few drinks, have some food, and relax.
Engineers Arms (Image: Matt Davey)
“My daughter, Esmay, is the leaseholder of the building and with me having had experience in the industry I was delighted to help out and be the face of things around the bar.”
After closing as pub more than 40 years ago, the Engineers Arms had most recently been operated by a firm of dental technicians.
“I’m incredibly proud we’ve managed to reopen as a pub and we’re hoping in the coming months we’ll be able get the extension ready and have a café area too,” said Markus.
“When we opened on Monday, I had a customer who said he’d last drank in here in 1976, so we’re hoping that people will be able to see we’re open again and come in and say hello.”
Engineers Arms on Northam Road (Image: Matt Davey)
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Based in Northam and a stone’s throw away from St Mary’s Stadium, the new owners are hoping they’ll be a new place to welcome Saints fans on matchdays.
Markus said: “On matchdays, we’ll welcome all fans to have a drink with us in a positive atmosphere.
The Engineers Arms 'walk's on' (Image: Matt Davey)
“We’re in a great location and want to make use of that but equally during the quieter periods when there’s no football on, we want to be a place for the community to get together and have a nice time.”
The pub will be celebrating their opening on Saturday, July 27, from 12pm.
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