The Fountain Inn, North End, Portsmouth

An impressive Victorian Grade 2 listed building containing a single large U-shaped bar with a central servery. It’s built on the site of an earlier alehouse of the same name. There is also a covered smoking area in the yard behind, but no proper garden. There were TV screens visible from every angle showing both live football and horseracing. There are gaming machines and a dartboard, and the pub is dog friendly. Overall there was a good local atmosphere, though strangers were very much welcomed. Two ales on, Fuller’s Gale’s HSB and Adnams Broadside, both a bit over-gassed, but both in otherwise fair condition. It was also quite cheap, more so than many other local pubs. I’d be happy to come back.

Tony Warnants, regional manager for Enterprise Inns, said: ‘I would like to think we will open it again by the end of the month. ‘Then after that, we intend to spend some money on the place.’ "As previously reported, the pub closed in November following a dispute between Enterprise and then-landlord Pat Wears over maintenance costs. The pub company is advertising the cost of The Fountain’s lease at £16,000 for the first year and £22,000 for the years after." http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/business/local-business/confidence-that-historic-portsmouth-pub-will-reopen-its-doors-1-5810188?WT.mc_id=Outbrain_text&obref=obinsite

ASSURANCES have been made that a historic Portsmouth pub will be reopened. http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/assurances-made-that-portsmouth-pub-will-reopen-its-doors-1-5742335?WT.mc_id=Outbrain_text&obref=obinsite

Closed, landlord bankrupt, Enterprise Inns "in discussions" http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/fears-for-portsmouth-pub-as-landlord-calls-time-after-20-years-1-5704722

typical old local's pub, great friendly staff. warm and welcoming. so coming back here.

Went in on Tuesday lunchtime, nice warm "local" type of pub. Friendly landlady, with no hoods / hats policy, presumably deters the unwanted Had pint of Hogs Back brewery "Tea" 4.2% @ £2.55. My first ever pint of this, not really to my taste but cannot really judge on one first pint