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THERE are bars with managers and then
there are pubs with landlords. That is the philosophy of Stewart
Cross, landlord of the Platform Tavern, a pub that most definitely
falls into the latter category
Having built up the intimate Town Quay
pub over the past seven years Stewart is now reaping the rewards
of his hard work as the pub has become one of the premier venues
for live music with some of the top blues and jazz acts in the
world performing there.
And with an extensive home-cooked
menu. ideal location by the dockside and a friendly staff that
seem to greet people with not only a smile but more often than not
a hug and a kiss - you can see why The Platform is a firm
favourite with its regulars. But it could have all been so
different. Where rhythm and blues musicians now perform could have
been a luxury fiat development as Stewart found himself having to
bid for the Pub in an auction when Southampton City Council
decided to sell off the listed building. "It was a bit touch and
go. At one point I thought I had lost it. All I I was
thinking was that I had to find myself another Platform Tavern,
because by then I was well and truly hooked on being a landlord of
a pub as special as this," he says. "I was originally only
supposed to take on the pub for 21 months to see out the lease
that the then landlord had with the council. Up until then I had
been into interior design, but when I took on the job here I found
that being a landlord was for me. The designing went on the back
burner and it is still there.
"It was then a matter of keeping hold
of it when the council finally decided to sell it off. They
probably had a housing developer in mind but I managed to get it
and now I have a hefty mortgage to prove for it." The pub also
boasts several claims to fame, including the fact that it is the
only pub in Southampton to be featured in the Rough Guide to the
UK book. The other interesting feature about the pub, that could
in two years time be expanding if Stewart has his way. is that
drinkers can sip their pints while viewing the only piece of the
ancient city wall that still has its original mortar. Talk to any
of the regulars that frequent the uniquely-styled Platform, and
trust me there are enough of them, and everyone will give the same
when asked why they drink there. "Quite simply," they say ''it's
the best pub
in town."
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