A pub that was converted from a former dentist surgery has been given the green light to stay open after retrospective plans were approved.

The Engineers Arms reopened for the first time since 1982 in July 2024, with the new owners later submitting an application to allow the pub to stay open.

The building, located at 98 Northam Road, has a rich history as a watering hole, originally operating as the Victoria Arms in the 1850s.

In the 1870s, it became known as the Engineers Arms under the ownership of Job Masters, an engine driver.

The pub changed ownership several times and eventually ceased operations in 1982, before being converted into office space and later a dentist's surgery.

READ MORE: Engineers Arms pub reopens for the first time since 1982

It then went under extensive renovations before reopening as a pub under landlord Markus Dov, 47, who previously ran the Windscor Castle in Shirley.

His daughter Esmay Dov, 20, was also involved in reopening the pub, which is now licensed by Koko Leisure Group.

Esmay (left) and Markus Dov (right), outside the Engineers Arms.Esmay (left) and Markus Dov (right), outside the Engineers Arms. (Image: Matt Davey, Echo) The planning application, which was submitted by Manoj Kumar of Koko Leisure Group, argues that the reopening of the Engineers Arms preserves a piece of local heritage.

It also emphasised the economic benefits, stating that the pub would generate jobs and stimulate economic activity in the area.

The pub's reopening of the Engineers Arms also addressed the issue of a previously neglected site, improving the aesthetic and functional value of the building.

Located on the corner of Northam Road and Wilson Street the pub, benefits from robust transport links through the Bluestar 18, First Bus 3 and Unilink U6H.

The area is also accessible via rail, with St Denys Station and Southampton Central Station nearby.

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The application's planning statement said: "A public house is more than just a business—it is a gathering place that fosters social connections, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging.

"The reopening of the Engineers Arms as a pub reintroduces a vital social hub to the Northam area, offering a space for residents to meet, relax, and participate in community activities.

"It fills a gap left by its previous closure and responds to the growing demand for local venues that serve as multipurpose spaces for leisure and interaction."

The retrospective application has been approved, though the pub must only operate between 7am and midnight, including on public holidays.