Iconic Southampton pubs of the 1980s featured in photos

These photographs, all captured during that decade, transport us back to a time when a haze of cigarette smoke filled the air and peanut backing boards often featured scantily-clad women.

It was a different time, and much has transformed since those days. Although, some of these iconic buildings still stand.

Which do you miss most? Let us know in the comments below.

Lord Palmerston

The Lord Palmerston pub, once located on Palmerston Road in Southampton, has a history marked by several name changes and, ultimately, a transformation into residential property.

The establishment wasn't always known as The Lord Palmerston.

Historical records show that in 1897, it operated under the name the Star and Garter.

Over the years, it underwent further rebranding, becoming The Lord Palmerston, then changing to Copperfields in 1983, before reverting to The Lord Palmerston.

At another point, it was also known as Bar 150.

This naming after Lord Palmerston was a common practice for pubs, honouring the prominent 19th-century British statesman who served twice as Prime Minister.

The Lord Palmerston ceased trading as a pub in the mid-2000s.

Following its closure, the pub's future became a subject of redevelopment plans.

The Wellington Pub Company, who owned the building, initially sought to find a new tenant but were unsuccessful.

Subsequently, plans emerged to demolish the building and construct flats.

Royal Albert Pub

The Royal Albert was a prominent public house in Southampton with a history stretching back to the mid-19th century.

Located on Albert Road South, the pub served the community for more than a century before its eventual closure and conversion into residential properties.

The Royal Albert first opened its doors in 1853.

It began its life as a Scrases Star brewery pub and quickly became a local landmark.

For many years, it was a popular establishment, even gaining a reputation for having one of the longest bars in Southampton.

The building itself is of historical and architectural note.

Constructed with yellow brick, it featured a distinctive grooved stucco ground floor, complemented by imposing giant pilasters and a cornice above.

The structure comprised three storeys and an attic, with a hipped slate roof and modillion cornice.

In recognition of its architectural and historical merit, the Royal Albert Hotel was designated a Grade II listed building on April 2, 1976.

The Royal Albert continued to operate as a pub and hotel for a significant period. However, by the mid-1970s, its time as a public house was coming to an end.

Some say that the construction of the nearby Itchen Bridge may have contributed to its decline, as the pub stood in the shadow of the new infrastructure.

The building reportedly lay derelict from the mid-1980s and, during this period of disuse, became a target for vandals.

In the early 2000s, plans emerged to convert the historic building. In 2002, the then owners, Sam and Glenn Sahota of Homelife Lettings, who had purchased the derelict hotel for more than £200,000, faced an enforcement notice from Southampton City Council regarding unauthorized alterations made during an attempt to convert the property into 12 flats.

Despite these initial challenges, the Royal Albert was eventually successfully converted into a residential building.

The Hampton Park Hotel

The Hampton Park Hotel, a public house with a turbulent history, first opened its doors to patrons in 1924.

Situated on the corner of High Road and Burgess Road in Swaythling, the establishment become known by several names and gain a reputation for trouble.

Originally established as the Hampton Park Hotel, it was later rebranded as The Tanners and subsequently The Old Black Cat.

Throughout its existence, the pub was marked by a chequered history. It developed a reputation for being a rough venue, with reports of incidents including a burglary in 1983 where the relief manager was injured confronting an intruder, and an episode in 1986 where hooligans caused £4,000 worth of damage.

The hotel's troubles with violence and disorder led to scrutiny from the authorities.

In 1989, city magistrates temporarily refused to renew the pub's license following six police call-outs to the premises in the preceding three months.

Although the license was restored a month later, the problems persisted.

In January 1990, Whitbread brewery, the owners at the time, closed The Tanners.

However, the pub was given another chance about a year later when new owners, Devonshire Breweries, invested £250,000 in a refurbishment.

It reopened with the new name, The Old Black Cat, and an aim to cultivate a more family-friendly atmosphere.

Despite these efforts, the establishment's notoriety continued.

Incidents, including a violent altercation where a man had part of his ear bitten off during a karaoke night and a subsequent attempted arson, plagued The Old Black Cat.

By 1996, the owners had evidently had enough of the persistent issues.

The Old Black Cat was closed down permanently as a pub.

The building was then sold to the McDonald's fast-food chain and was converted into a restaurant, a use it continues to serve today. 

The Old Thatched House

The Old Thatched House, a landmark building on Romsey Road in Southampton, holds a significant place in the city's social history, having operated as a public house for more than 100 years before its eventual closure in 2010.

Until its transformation, it was notably the last remaining thatched public house in Southampton.

While the exact date of construction remains unknown, estimates place the building's origins in the 18th century.

The distinctive two-storey, pebbledashed structure featured a traditional hipped thatched roof that swept down to the ground floor on each side, giving it a unique and charming appearance.

The Old Thatched House was selling alcohol from at least the 1890s, initially operating as a beer house under the proprietorship of Alice Saunders.

Over the decades, it served as a popular local establishment for countless locals.

The pub ceased trading in 2010, with sources indicating the closure occurred between November 2009 and February 2010, and its permanent closure as a pub was recorded on April 13, 2010.

The building, which is Grade II listed - a status it received on February 14, 1969 - was subsequently repurposed. It now operates as the St James Chiropractic Clinic, preserving the historic structure while giving it a new community function.

Located at 219 Romsey Road, just north of the junction with Winchester Road, the former Old Thatched House continues to be a recognisable feature of the local streetscape.

The Flying Boat Inn

The Flying Boat Inn, a name that evokes Southampton's rich aviation heritage, was a notable landmark located in nearby Calshot.

It was not situated directly within the city of Southampton itself but was intrinsically linked to the region's significant history with flying boats.

Originally, the building that became The Flying Boat Inn served as the Officer's Mess for RAF Calshot.

This Royal Air Force station was a key flying boat base, playing a vital role in maritime aviation.

The mess was a social hub for the pilots and officers stationed there, witnessing conversations and camaraderie rooted in the pioneering days of air travel.  

After its life as an Officer's Mess, the building was transformed into a pub, aptly named The Flying Boat Inn.

Its interior was reportedly adorned with photographs and memorabilia celebrating pilots and aircraft, including those involved in the prestigious Schneider Trophy air races, further cementing its connection to aviation history.

For many years, it served the local community and visitors interested in the area's unique past.

Unfortunately, The Flying Boat Inn closed in the late 1990s.

A significant fire in 2001 ravaged the building, leading to its eventual demolition.

The site has since been cleared, with only the foundations of the former pub remaining for some time.