Southampton FC legend Lawrie launches The Duke on the Test in Romsey

By Stephen Emerson

7 July 2022

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Southampton FC legendary ex-football manager Lawrie McMenemy was the guest of honour at the launch of The Duke on The Test at the weekend.

The relaunch of this much-loved Romsey pub, marketed now as a ‘historic 16th Century Inn, reimagined for the 21st Century’, was attended by hundreds of invited guests, including councillors, mayors, the local MP and even a Duke.

The Duke on The Test dates back to 1583 when the first hostelry opened on the site. Since then, the pub has had a rich history until its closure awaiting rejuvenation in 2017.

The pub has now been extensively refurbished and also extended to include 12 en-suite bedrooms and an inviting sunroom allowing inviting views of the countryside and riverside location.

The dog friendly, Duke will be managed in conjunction with the hugely popular The Four Horseshoes in Nursling which also benefitted from a significant investment with a refurbishment and extension and successfully reopened in 2019.

Customers will now be able to enjoy an extended bar and dining areas for over 90 covers, as well as outside patio space. Other features include a double aspect log burner, as well as a snug and library area. Many of the original features have remained including oak beams and an Inglenook fireplace.

Lawrie McMenemy said: “It’s a privilege to be here to open The Duke on the Test. With so many pubs closing down this is a great news story. It’s fantastic for Romsey, the local community, and bringing important investment into the area.

"It’s also great for me because I live only five minutes away and given the fantastic job the new owners have done with the extension and full refurbishment, with the wonderful interior fit out, as well as the fantastic food I have tried today, I will certainly be a regular customer.”

Guests also spotted a Duke at the event which created a buzz. It later turned out to be ex Saints star Mark Dennis who had dressed up for the occasion.

Mark Pinn, General Manager at The Duke, said: “It was a fantastic re-opening and it’s lovely to be back open. The feedback has been very encouraging. We would like to formally thank David Gleave and Dorothy Baverstock from Test Valley Tourism, Emily Preston from Hampshire County Council, as well as the Rural Development Agency for all their support in bringing our project to fruition. We wouldn’t be here today without all their combined support.”

Mark added: “We are confident local people and visitors to the area looking for quality accommodation will support. We have created something very special and are now welcoming back old regulars and new customers to The Duke.”

“The Duke on the Test will be a wonderful place to meet, eat, drink and sleep in the heart of the Test Valley.”

By Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is the Managing Editor of The Business Magazine and is responsible for the publication's print publications and online properties including the newly launched Biz News websites in Hampshire and Dorset.

Stephen has been a journalist for 20 years and has worked at local, regional and national publications and led a team which made The Scotsman website one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK with over eight million monthly users.

He has a keen interest in technology, property and corporate finance and telling the stories of the people behind the successful firms in these sectors.