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Surbiton Fox gets 10pm outdoor drinking for events ahead of November reopening
Kingston councillors approved a new name and a larger drinking area for the former Fox and Hounds, with limits added after six residents objected over noise.
Key facts
- The Fox and Hounds in Surbiton reopens as the Surbiton Fox after a £332,000 refit
- Reopening in November under Paul Reynolds and William Walters, serving pizza from Adonis Dough
- Drinks allowed in the car park and outbuildings until 10pm at occasional events
- Outdoor events must be advertised 10 days in advance
A Surbiton pub that is closed for a £332,000 refit has won permission from Kingston Council to serve drinks in its car park and outbuildings until 10pm at occasional events. It reopens in November.
The pub used to be the Fox and Hounds and will come back as the Surbiton Fox. Paul Reynolds and William Walters, who both grew up in Teddington, are taking it over. Dogs will be welcome. Pizza will come from Adonis Dough, a sister brand the pair have launched, and the bar will offer coffee and low and no-alcohol choices alongside the usual drinks.
Outside, the building is getting a painted fox and a set of Victorian street lamps brought back into working order. The terrace will have vintage seating and parasols.
Kingston licensing decision for the Surbiton Fox
The application came from Star Pubs, the pub business of Heineken UK, which owns the building. It asked the council’s licensing committee to change the pub’s name and to widen the area where alcohol can be drunk. On top of the existing outdoor seating, the car park and outbuildings could then be used now and then for events and community activities.
Six residents objected because they were worried about noise from customers. At the hearing on 22 September, one of them, John Gibbard, said he supported the refit and wanted the pub to keep trading. He asked for customers to be cleared from the extra areas by 10pm and for a limit on how often events could be held there.
George Domleo, the solicitor for Star Pubs, said the original plan had been changed to deal with residents’ concerns. “This is a limited, responsible and evidence-led proposal,” he told the committee.
Conditions on outdoor events
The committee granted the revised licence on two conditions. Any outdoor event has to be advertised 10 days beforehand. Customers using the car park or the outbuildings during an event must also finish eating and drinking by 10pm.
At the hearing, Reynolds called community “the key asset” of a modern pub. After the decision he said the pair planned events including a Pickle Festival.
Key questions
When does the Surbiton Fox reopen?
The pub reopens in November under its new operators.
Who is running the Surbiton Fox?
Paul Reynolds and William Walters, who both grew up in Teddington. The building is owned by Star Pubs, part of Heineken UK.
Why did residents object to the licence?
Six residents objected because they were worried about noise from customers.
What conditions come with the new licence?
Outdoor events must be advertised 10 days ahead, and customers using the car park or outbuildings during an event must finish eating and drinking by 10pm.
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