Produced and performed by Rogue Opera, this year’s Opera in the Garden production is Carmen [11 June-14 August]. Carmen – fiery, daring and uncompromising – meets José, a soldier with a past in a tale of love, death and bull fighting. Rogue Opera brings Carmen to life for a modern audience, sung in French with a new English script. Four singers and a pianist deliver a show with all of the well-known music and drama in an engaging and original format.
Shakespeare in the Garden, now in its thirteenth year, is a favourite in the Fuller’s calendar – produced and performed by Open Bar. This year, there will be two productions – The Tempest [2 July-31 August] and Much Ado About Nothing [22 July-13 September]. Shakespeare in the Garden is perfect for Shakespeare aficionados and novices alike. The plays are performed by casts of four and six actors respectively so expect plenty of costume changes – as well as laughter, music and some audience participation.
Shakespeare in the Garden and Opera in the Garden follow a successful tour of Vanity Fair – which took place in a number of Fuller’s gardens this spring.
Sam Bourke, Fuller’s Marketing Director, said: “I’m delighted to be holding so many productions in our beautiful pub gardens this year. Fuller’s is very proud to support the arts. The ongoing popularity of Shakespeare in the Garden led us to host more shows throughout the year and these have been well-received too. Last year, we hosted productions of Sense and Sensibility which were a great success – and Vanity Fair was popular this year. This is the fourth year of hosting Opera in the Garden – proving our customers enjoy a range of live productions.
“We hope you can join us for one of these brilliant performances. I know you’ll have a great time.”
A beautiful pub on the outskirts of Romsey, The Cromwell Arms’ new look complements the surrounding rolling countryside – providing the perfect setting to drink, dine and stay.
The Cromwell Arms’ new menu boasts a range of delicious dishes – with seasonal, fresh ingredients. As well as pub classics such as the pie of the day, new dishes include brown butter chalk stream trout fillet with crushed Ratte potatoes, olives and capers – plus, chargrilled lamb chops served with minted new potatoes, samphire, runner beans, peas and sauce vierge. There are plenty of vegetarian and plant-based options too. A new addition to The Cromwell Arms is its prix fixe menu – served 12-3pm, Monday-Friday. Plus, with a kids’ menu, there is something for the whole family to enjoy.
The social calendar at The Cromwell Arms is one to keep an eye on as more events will be announced throughout the year. Kicking things off, Opera in the Garden and Shakespeare in the Garden productions are taking place this summer.
The picturesque pub is a great setting for private functions – from corporate events to birthday parties. With a superb marquee, plus a host of smaller bookable spaces inside, The Cromwell Arms is one of the best venues in Romsey for a celebration. The pub’s marquee is up in the warmer months – from April to October – and makes for a stunning venue. Available for exclusive hire, the marquee has a private bar and is a blank canvas that can be decorated to suit your event.
As well as new look, the pub now has a new General Manager – Sean Knight. Sean has worked at a number of Fuller’s pubs over the years and brings with him a wealth of experience and plenty of enthusiasm – all supported by his fantastic team.
Sean Knight, General Manager of The Cromwell Arms, said: “I am delighted that the doors of The Cromwell Arms have reopened. The pub looks incredible and my team and I are raring to go.
“The Cromwell Arms has something for everyone. It’s a stunning spot on the edge of town giving you brilliant access to so many beautiful walks in the surrounding Hampshire countryside. We have 14 boutique bedrooms – so it’s the perfect place for anyone looking for an overnight stay before heading off on a cruise from Southampton, or just wanting to spend a night or two to get to know the local area. We are, of course, dog-friendly too – so you can bring your four-legged friend along on your adventure. My team and I look forward to welcoming you.”
There’s something magical about watching a football match down the pub, especially when it’s the Euros and your home nations are in the mix. The energy, the camaraderie, and the sheer joy of celebrating with fellow fans create an atmosphere that’s hard to beat. With the Euros 2024 just around the corner, let’s dive into the experience of watching the games at the pub and highlight all the key fixtures for England and Scotland fans.
The Pub Atmosphere: Where Football Lives
Pubs are the heart and soul of football culture in the UK. They transform into vibrant hubs of excitement, where fans gather to cheer on their national teams. The collective anticipation builds as the matches approach, and when the first whistle blows, the roar that erupts can be heard from streets away.
England fans are known for their passionate support, and the pub is the perfect place to join the throng of voices singing “Three Lions” and “Sweet Caroline.” Here are the fixtures you won’t want to miss:
England vs. Serbia
Date: June 16, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM BST
Venue: Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen
Pub Vibes: This opening match is bound to be electric. Fans will be optimistic, decked out in red and white, ready to avenge past disappointments against Croatia.
England vs. Denmark
Date: June 20, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM BST
Venue: Waldstadion, Frankfurt
Pub Vibes: A crucial group stage match where every goal could determine the path to the knockout stages. Expect a sea of England jerseys and a chorus of chants.
England vs. Slovenia
Date: June 25, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM BST
Venue: RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne
Pub Vibes: By this time, the tension will be high. Pubs will be packed, and the atmosphere will be a mix of hope and nerves.
Scotland Fixtures: Tartan Army Takes Over
The Scots bring their unique flair and unwavering support, often turning pubs into mini versions of Hampden Park. Here are the fixtures for the Tartan Army:
Scotland vs. Germany
Date: June 14, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM BST
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
Pub Vibes: Facing one of the tournament’s favorites, the pubs will be buzzing with the underdog spirit. Tartans and kilts will be everywhere as fans belt out “Flower of Scotland.”
Scotland vs. Switzerland
Date: June 19, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM BST
Venue: RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne
Pub Vibes: This is a crucial game for Scotland’s hopes of advancing. The atmosphere will be electric, with every tackle and pass cheered on.
Scotland vs. Hungary
Date: June 23, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM BST
Venue: MHPArena, Stuttgart
Pub Vibes: The final group stage match, and potentially decisive. The pubs will be at capacity, the tension palpable, and the celebrations could be legendary.
The Pub Experience: Tips for Enjoying the Matches
Arrive Early: Pubs fill up quickly on match days, so get there early to secure a good spot.
Dress the Part: Wear your team’s colours proudly. Face paint and flags are highly encouraged.
Get Involved: Join in the chants and songs. It’s all part of the experience.
Stay Hydrated: While it’s tempting to indulge, remember to drink water, especially if it’s a hot day.
Respect Others: Football is a passionate game, but always respect fellow fans, even if they’re supporting the opposition.
Memories Made at the Pub
Watching the Euros at the pub is more than just seeing the game; it’s about being part of a community of fans who live and breathe football. The highs, the lows, the cheers, and the tears all come together to create unforgettable memories. So, grab your mates, head to the pub, and immerse yourself in the beautiful game. Whether you’re supporting England or Scotland, there’s no better place to be for the Euros 2024. Cheers to football, and here’s hoping for a tournament filled with magic moments!
Embedded within the fabric of the nation’s community, it’s the great British pub where people gather with friends to celebrate, commiserate and debate over a fresh, crisp pint.
The humble pint is key to the pub experience, as nearly twice the number of people say it is more important than the quality of the food when choosing or recommending an establishment to others.
With warmer weather approaching, the act of enjoying a refreshing, perfectly poured pint of beer or cider is sure to be on many Brits’ agenda. In fact almost half (44%) of Brits say they are more likely to head to a pub or bar to enjoy a pint when the sun is shining.
However, despite many (68%) claiming to have had a “perfect pint” in their lifetime at the pub, new research from HEINEKEN SmartDispense® reveals these are unfortunately not a given, with only 12% saying they consistently receive them today. Two fifths say it is only sometimes (36%) or worse, rare or never (5%).
What does the perfect pint look like? For many (40%), it hinges on a clean glass (the most important factor), served at the right temperature, with the right carbonation and measure, in a correctly branded glass.
Despite our passion for the craft, on those occasions where pub goers are served a sub-par pour, instead of speaking up to share their pint woes, many are instead opting for the British approach – stomaching it so as to not make a fuss (32%) or leaving it to move onto another bar (12%). It seems that British politeness could be getting in the way of them getting the serve they deserve…
That’s why HEINEKEN SmartDispense® has enlisted the help of documentarian, Ross Kemp, to go back behind bars (of sorts). This time, on an important mission closer to home… the quest to get Brits that perfect pint, every time.
The new series,Ross Kemp Behind Bars, launches today and episode one puts Ross back in the heart of the British pub. Speaking with Matt Deakin, landlord of Birmingham’s oldest pub, The Old Crown, and the punters that frequent it.
In the episode, Ross uncovers what a quality serve looks like to help pub-goers know what they should be looking for.
The new series launches to shine a light on innovative technology from SmartDispense® and how it helps pubs deliver punters a quality pint every time. It delves into the benefits it brings to a landlord, by reducing their costs and improving the quality and consistency of beer and cider that they serve. All whilst helping them to minimise their impact on the environment by reducing up to 85% of the beer, cider, water, chemicals and CO2 usually wasted during line cleans thanks to the benefits of the exceptional technology.
Ross Kemp says, “I’ve been on many missions but this one is very close to my heart and home… A good pint is one of life’s little luxuries. A moment to yourself to relax and unwind at the end of a long day or week… so a sub par pint simply won’t do. We’ve all been there where you’ve tasted a pint that isn’t quite up to scratch so when I heard there was technology that could help pubs deliver a consistent, quality pint every time, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”
Will Rice, On-Trade Director, at HEINEKEN UK says: “The pint is at the heart of the British pub experience – it’s that moment where a perfect pour, a clean branded glass, and just the right amount of fizz come together. With HEINEKEN SmartDispense®, we’re on a mission to ensure every pint is perfection, changing the game, ensuring every sip is as perfect as the last. We wanted to lift the lid on the tech behind these perfect pints and who better to help us than one of Britain’s most famous landlords. We know how important quality is to our consumers which is why we’re so excited to not only showcase our HEINEKEN SmartDispense® technology but also shine a light on the hard-working landlords that make it all happen. ”
Looking to get your hands on a perfect pint this summer? Find your local SmartDispense® pub here and stay tuned for further episodes launching later this year which will see Ross take on London and Manchester with visits to The Henley Arms, Elephant’s Head and The Salisbury.
HEINEKEN UK is investing £39m in upgrading and reopening pubs in its Star Pubs’ estate in 2024 – demonstrating its confidence in the resilience of the great British local in the face of global uncertainty. The move will create an estimated 1,075 new jobs.
A quarter (612) of HEINEKEN UK’s 2,400 pubs are in line for improvement, with 94 of these set for makeovers costing on average £200,000. The investment will also cover works to reopen 62 long-term closed locals in 2024. By the end of the year, HEINEKEN UK will have reopened 156 such pubs since the start of 2023, reducing the number of closed pubs in its estate to pre-pandemic levels.
With working from home more commonplace and people looking to save on travel, major refurbishments will concentrate on transforming tired pubs in suburban areas into premium locals. The revamps are designed to broaden each pub’s use and appeal, giving people additional reasons to visit. Subtle zoning will signpost pubgoers to the area likely to suit them best, enabling different groups of customers to simultaneously enjoy a variety of activities – from watching sports to dining – without disturbing each other. Dividing screens and distinct changes to lighting, sound systems and furniture styles will help delineate the zones. The new designs will have a stylish classic feel, providing longevity. Reflecting customers’ increased expectations, the projects will be carried out to a high standard and will impact every part of the pubs, from the toilets to the gardens.
Other common changes will include overhauling cellars with state-of-the-art dispense equipment to ensure consistently perfect pints and repositioning tills to speed up service. Furthering progress against HEINEKEN UK’s ambition to be net zero across its entire value chain by 2040, substantial projects will feature energy efficiency measures, such as heating controls, insulation and low-energy lighting, that will typically cost £12,500 per pub and cut energy use by 15%.
Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs’ Managing Director, said: “People are looking for maximum value from visits to their local. They want great surroundings and food and drink as well as activities that give them an extra reason to go out, such as sports screenings and entertainment. Creating fantastic locals that can accommodate a range of occasions meets this need and helps pubs fulfil their role as vital third spaces where communities can come together.
“Pubs have proved their enduring appeal; after all the disruption of recent years, Star is on track to have the lowest number of closed pubs since 2019. It’s a tribute to the drive and entrepreneurship of licensees and the importance of continued investment. We’ve spent more than £200m upgrading and maintaining our pubs over the last five years, and we’ll continue to invest to keep them open and thriving. Time and again we see the value consumers place on having a good local and how important it is to communities. Well-invested pubs run by great licensees are here to stay, but like all locals, they need Government support to reduce the enormous tax burden they shoulder.”
