The pub’s new design has been criticised by locals (Image: Mackenzie Wheeler)
A developer’s vision to makeover a burnt-down pub in the seaside town of Fareham hasn’t gone down well with locals – who have dubbed it an “unsightly and abominable” blot on the .
The Osborne View pub, owned by Hall and Woodhouse on the northwestern tip of , retained serious fire damage after an electrical fault in a tumble dryer sparked a blaze last February.
The brewery chain, which operates 180 in the south of England, unveiled a dramatic new vision for the boozer late last year – complete with modern rectangular architecture, a beach bar and four storeys with open terrace views onto the shingled seafront.
Deciding that the old Victorian-style structure was “not attractive or of any quality”, the firm hired architects Mackenzie Wheeler to completely reimagine its design. This resulted in a “greatly enhanced” alternative, boasting “a more coherent, progressive and contemporary style”, according to Hall and Woodhouse.
Locals with diverging opinions haven’t been shy about criticising the “abominable” plans in a slew of letters of objection addressed to Fareham Borough Council.
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The pub’s original structure was in classical Victorian seaside building style (Image: Google)
“Whilst we were originally very pleased that the Osborne View was going to be rebuilt, and imagined it would be a bit more modern than the original, we did not envisage this futuristic monstrosity,” one person wrote.
“This is … not the South of France or Spain – [the new design] is an eyesore on the lovely coastal location,” they added.
Others described the design as “stark, unsightly” and “outstandingly ugly”, with one writing: “The new plans are terrible. What a massive eyesore.”
Described by many objectors as an “iconic” piece of local history, the boozer was popular with former England football manager Sir Alf Ramsay, who steered the team to victory in the 1966 World Cup.
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Hall and Woodhouse’s subcontractors reportedly arrived to the new proposal’s glass frontage and angled structure after mind-mapping “inspiration from the sea and … natural environment” including “the single of the beach, the well-seasoned timber of ships … and the weathered steel of docks, wharfs and warehouses”.
But Fareham residents less inclined to grant the brewery artistic license have slammed it as an “unsightly modern building” that more closely resembles “a multistorey car park” than a pub.
Meanwhile, some were happy to have their local back at any cost. “The new build design was always going to be different to the previous hotch-potch design,” one resident reasoned.
“I’m sure it will be much better for both customers and staff. [I am] very much looking forward to having our pub back.”
Planning officers will approve or reject the plans by March 3.
Express.co.uk has contacted Hall and Woodhouse for comment.