BOOZER:The Bat and Ball Inn, Breamore
SHE has swapped the bright
lights of Southampton for a
sleepy village on the edge of the
New Forest.
After producing mouth-watering
treats for guests at the White
Star restaurant, award winning
chief Alicia Storey is gaining a
new army of fans at the Bat and
Ball in Breamore.
The former coaching inn is
owned by Kym and Conrad
Lanham, who both worked in
sales before entering the pub
trade.
Alicia, 24, joined the couple
earlier this year and is helping
them achieve their ambition of
serving restaurant-style food at
affordable prices.
The Bat and Ball has gone
from strength to strength in the
past few months and is among
the finalists in the dining pub of
the year category in the
Hampshire Life food and drink
awards 2008.
Alicia said: "After the hustle
and bustle of Southampton,
Breamore was quite a shock to
the system because it was so
quiet.
"But it's a great atmosphere
here and the number of customers
is increasing all the time.
People really need to book if
they want to visit the restaurant
on Friday and Saturday nights."
Conrad, 42, added: "Food was
always going to be the key and
finding the right chef was essential.
"We had been pursuing Alicia
for seven or eight months before
we finally persuaded her to
come on board."
Kym commented: "Since buying
the business it's been our
intention to make the Bat & Ball
a destination pub that will be
people's first choice, whether
they want a coffee, a quick pint
or a quality meal. Alicia was the
final piece in the jigsaw and her
impact was immediate.
"The first thing I had to do was
get rid of a couple of freezers.
Alicia said she wouldn't need
them because everything would
be freshly cooked."
The first pub built in Breamore
is thought to have been the
Wellington Arms.
It was replaced after 1830 by
the Bat and Ball, which was
originally housed in a thatched
cottage. The pub's sign is based
on the famous painting The Boy
with the Bat, which can be seen
at Breamore House.
The pub backs onto the River
Avon and has a fishing lodge
that can accommodate seven
anglers. Anyone staying there
can fish for free.
CHRIS YANDELL
■ The Bat & Ball Inn,
Salisbury Road, Breamore,
Fordingbridge, Hampshire,
SP6 2EA. Tel 01725 512252.
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CommentPosted by: LOU BYNG, Hythe on 7:59am Thu 10 Jul 08
some of the best pub food I have ever tasted. The homemade fig chutney served with the local cheeses was simply heaven!
some of the best pub food I have ever tasted. The homemade fig chutney served with the local cheeses was simply heaven!
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