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CREATING a friendly community feel in a city pub has won The Stoneham Arms many local fans.

The Bassett pub is a firm favourite within the local Southampton community, thanks to its relaxed atmosphere and the laid back attitude of the landlord of five years Rob Lodwidge.

With a function room that is free to hire, Rob prides himself on hosting parties, gatherings and events.

The Stoneham Arms frequently accommodates up to 300 people for food for wakes following funerals at the Southampton Crematorium up the road.

Indeed, the pub hosts ten or more wakes every single week.

"Events like wakes bring in most of our income," said Rob, who runs the pub with assistant manager Neil Caplen. "We pride ourselves on functions as the function room is free to hire. It's always booked up at weekends for parties."

His pub's popularity won him the Best Pub title at the 2008 Best Bar None awards in Southampton.

Rob said: "Winning was a real shock, I didn't expect it one bit. I can only put it down to how I keep on top of everything and have a really good team of staff who know what they are doing.

"There is a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the pub. Everyone knows everyone else because a lot of them have grown up locally."

Other popular events at the pub include a Sunday night quiz, a weekly Sunday carvery and karaoke every other Friday evening.

There is also a large rear garden complete with swings, a slide and other equipment for children, a pool table, a darts board and a large smoking shed.

"The smoking ban had quite a bad impact on us," said Rob, who ran The Royal Oak in Southampton city centre opposite Debenhams before taking on The Stoneham Arms.

"People have stayed away because they can't have a cigarette inside, and they just haven't come back. The smoking shed is popular though and everyone congregates in there - it's often busier out there than inside."

11:48am Wednesday 2nd July 2008

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