Christchurch Community Pub to Reopen Following Transformational Refurbishment

Popular community pub, The Nelson in Christchurch, will officially reopen on Friday 7th August, following an investment of £50,000 from experienced licensee, Joe and Admiral Taverns, the UK’s leading community pub company.

Internally, the pub has been refurbished to include new furnishings, while the kitchen and cellar areas have also been updated. The pub also includes four flatscreen televisions and there are plans to have Sky and TNT sports fitted in the future for customers to enjoy.

Externally, the pub's exterior has been enhanced by a refreshed beer garden, complete with newly painted tables and chairs, creating a welcoming and attractive outdoor space where customers can relax and socialise over their drinks.

Looking ahead, further investment into the pub is planned for late 2026 into early 2027, which will see a full redecoration of both the exterior and interior, alongside the addition of new facilities.

Passionate licensee Joe brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the pub. Drawing on his background as a professional chef, Joe is focused on crafting a food menu that remains a reliable staple for the local community. Going forward the licensee is committed to creating a dog and family friendly hub that brings people together and supports all aspects of community life. His goal is to create a space that fosters connection and actively supports all aspects of local life.

Joe Winduss, licensee at The Nelson, commented: "I’m absolutely thrilled with the changes made to the pub so far and I’m excited for a full refurbishment to be done in the near future. Every detail so far has been carefully considered to ensure that The Nelson feels fresh and exciting, while still retaining the warmth and character that makes this place so special for the community.

I have loved every moment in the pub so far and I would like to thank everyone, from my family and friends, our customers and of course the team at Admiral Taverns, for all their ongoing support. We look forward to everything the future holds for this terrific community pub!”

Going forward, he will be hosting a busy schedule of regular entertainment for the community to enjoy including regular live music on weekends, hosting the local darts team on Monday evenings as well as weekly quiz and bingo nights. In addition, as part of his mission to give back to the local community, he will be hosting regular fundraising events/community initiatives for the RNLI, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the Fishermen's Mission and for the The Burnt Chef Project, a mental health awareness charity for Chefs.

The pub hosts an impressive range of drinks including an extensive range of cask and keg beers as well as premium spirits. The pub will also offer a range of cocktails from Pornstar Martini’s to Margarita’s. There will also be an extensive wine list curated by a specialist from Somerset's Wraxall Vineyard to ensure a high-quality selection.

The pub’s new food menu offers an impressive range of homemade pub classics, including sausage and mash, burgers served with chips, and traditional fish and chips. Alongside these favourites, there is a strong focus on fresh, locally sourced seafood, with a wide choice of fish dishes available. Options include lobster, haddock, cod and tiger prawns, giving customers plenty of variety to choose from. The menu also includes a good selection of vegetarian dishes, ensuring there is something to suit different tastes and dietary preferences.

The pub is owned by Admiral Taverns, the UK’s leading community pub company with c. 1,365 pubs across England, Scotland and Wales.

David Stallard, Business Development Manager at Admiral Taverns, added: “It has been an absolute pleasure working alongside Joe throughout this refurbishment journey. He had a strong vision for the pub, and watching this come to life has been incredibly rewarding. We’re just finalising the last touches of the updates made to the pub at the moment and look forward to customers enjoying these soon.

On behalf of myself and everyone at Admiral Taverns, I wish Joe and the entire team at The Nelson the best of luck in the future.”

Notes to Editors

Admiral Taverns (“Admiral”) is the UK’s number one community pub group. Headquartered in Chester; the Group operates a national estate of c. 1,365 predominantly wet-led community pubs. Admiral’s unique operational approach has earnt industry recognition with the Group winning Best Community Pub Operator at the 2024 Publican Awards, whilst also being shortlisted for Best Partnership Pub Company (501+ Sites). In 2019, 2016 and 2013, Admiral Taverns won Best Leased and Tenanted Pub Company at the Publican Awards and ranked highly commended as Best Community Pub Operator in 2017. The Group has also been consistently highly rated by licensees in the industry’s independent annual Tenant Track survey, exceeding the scores of all its national peers.

For more information:

Brand Potential

Polly Clarke/Amy Keane/Sarah Patton

+44 (0) 204 529 0549

admiral@brandpotential.com

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