ALL CHANGE AS HISTORIC ALDERSHOT PUB CLOSES FOR MAJOR INVESTMENT

An historic Aldershot pub has closed for a £265,000 refurbishment that will build on its popularity.

The investment at The Funky End on Station Road is being undertaken by Heineken owned Star Pubs & Bars and local resident and licensee Vicrum Gurung, who also operates The Victoria on Victoria Road. It will completely revamp the pub, furthering its reputation for music and introducing good food and coffee to broaden its appeal. To mark its transformation, The Funky End will be renamed Tracks, reflecting both its music credentials and its location near to Aldershot railway station.

Work is set to start on the 19^th February and Tracks is scheduled to open in late March, creating five new jobs.

The exterior makeover will renovate the outside of the prominent building – which dates back to the 1860s* – repainting it and adding new signage and lighting to enhance the immediate area.

The inside of the pub will be redecorated and upgraded throughout with new furniture, flooring and lighting, making it more contemporary, welcoming and comfortable. The pub’s distinctive vesper – put in as a selfie spot – will continue to have centre stage. With Aldershot’s music lovers in mind, the large wooden bar will be reduced in size to increase capacity on performance nights and a high-spec sound system will be installed to improve the acoustics.

A new kitchen will enable the introduction of freshly prepared food ranging from burgers and gourmet sandwiches to salads and sharing platters. The project will overhaul the cellar, too, putting in state-of-the-art dispense equipment to ensure consistently perfect pints. Cocktails will be a specialty.

Vicrum took over The Funky End in November 2021 when it had been closed for 18 months post the pandemic. Since then he has worked tirelessly to get it back on its feet and carve out a unique position in the town as music-focused pub. When it reopens, Tracks will host music four times a week including an acoustic evening, karaoke, an open mic night showcasing local up-and-coming talent and live bands on weekends spanning all genres from music to soul. In addition, rock and roll bingo and quiz nights are on the cards.

Says Vicrum: “It was sad to see such a prominent pub boarded up. It's a beautiful old building with a lovely atmosphere and a flexible space that lends itself to live performances. Many people were concerned for its future, and we’ve had tremendous support from residents in bringing it back to life. We couldn’t have done it without them; we’re very grateful. The investment will help us take the pub to the next level and establish it as one of the best live music venues in the area that all generations of music lovers can enjoy. There’s a lot of excitement about it – one of the regulars even came up with the pub’s new name.”

Comments Richard Foster, Star Pubs & Bars’ area manager for Aldershot: “Vicrum is passionate about the pub and has done a tremendous job of revitalising it. We’re delighted to be backing him to make it even better. Tracks will be a perfect spot for commuters and visitors to the town centre wanting good food and drink during the day as well as a fantastic place for a great night out.”

*The building was originally part of The Southwestern Hotel, which was built by the London & Southwestern Railway in the 1860s when the railway was being constructed. To commemorate its past, a history of the building will be put up in the pub.