Just as one St Denys pub door reopens, another closes. Hard on the heels of the recent South Western closure – and subsequent reopening – it’s been confirmed that, just over the railway bridge, The Dolphin has now closed.
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A spokesperson for Ei Publican Partnerships, which owns both pubs, told us: “We can confirm that The Dolphin, St Deny is currently closed due to the publican’s decision to cease trading. We’d like to reassure the local community that we aim to reopen the pub as soon as possible.”
There could indeed be hope for a reopening: Portswood councillor John Savage (Lab) tweeted on Thursday (May 10): “Had word back from a contact about the #Dolphin public house in #Portswood. New tenants are taking over and should be opened in next three weeks. #CAMRA.”
Former Itchen MP John Denham replied: “Have you got it listed as an Asset of Community Value? Remember #savethebittern”
Following the closure threat at The South Western, work is apparently still ongoing to register it as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), which would offer some protection should its owners ever decide to put it up for sale.
Also in St Denys, The Junction is already on Southampton City Council’s ACV list, as is The Bitterne Park over the river – which is another Ei pub.