THE Shamrock Irish theme pub in Anstey Road is to remain as a pub after its owner retires. It is to be taken over by the Triple fff Brewing Company of Four Marks.
The owner of the Shamrock has been looking to retire to Spain, and it was feared by some that this old Alton pub would be lost forever, and changed into a Nepalese restaurant.
That is until Graham Trott, owner of Triple fff Breweries, stepped in and obtained a 20- year leasehold on the premises. The result is that Alton will once again have an independent, privately-owned brewery pub.
Triple fff will restore the name ÔRailway ArmsÕ to the premises, and after a short period of refurbishment, the pub will open as a real-ale house specialising in cask-conditioned beers from the home brewery and other small independent breweries.
Though the emphasis will be on locally-brewed fine ales and rare beers, current regulars will find that most of their existing preferences will be catered for.