Three Barrels pub, Basingstoke: Residents concerned

The Three Barrels pub, in Winklebury Centre, has been closed for over 10 years after plans to renovate the site and turn it into a convenience store were rejected, following a planning application submitted in 2010 to install two new shopfronts, including levelling the walkway with railing and minor external alterations. 

The pub has been left derelict, with many saying it is unsafe after a child was electrocuted there on Saturday, August 26 while playing in the area. 

As previously reported, the child was electrocuted in the bin store area of the pub at around 2pm when they accidentally touched what turned out to be an exposed electrical cable. 

READ MORE: Winklebury: Child taken to hospital after being electrocuted

Joseph Long, 82, who lives near the pub, said: "I'd prefer to see the pub go so they can get on with the regeneration works in Winklebury Centre. When I've had visitors before they have mentioned the poor and unsafe condition the pub has been left in, and it's such an eyesore for people in the local area.

"It used to be a beautiful pub, and it's such a shame to see the condition it's been left in now."

Barry Dodd, the former owner of Greenways Newsagents in Winklebury Centre, said: "I'd like the space to be made use of - they may as well flatten the pub and make the area into additional parking. It looks awful on the area for the local shops and residents and doesn't make the area look very appealing.

Barry Dodd and Lynn Dewdley, who both work in Winklebury Centre, near the Three Barrels Pub (Image: Mark Paine, Canva)

"It should never have been left to get into the condition it is now in, and as a result, a serious accident occurred last month with the child being electrocuted. The bottom line is someone, whether that's the council or whoever else, needs to take some kind of action now, before something else happens."

SEE ALSO: Black Sheep Coffee still opening in Festival Place despite delay

Lynn Dewdley, who works in John Burton Foodmarket, said: "It really brings the whole community down being left in the condition it's in - it's a massive eyesore. They would be better off knocking it down and making it into a car park or something similar.

"There are forever kids playing on the roof, people doing drugs, and other sorts of anti-social behaviour. It's so sad what happened to that poor child a few weeks back, and something that should not have been able to happen."

Mrs Whitehouse, who lives near Winklebury Centre, said: "Seeing as there are lots of schools and kids around this area, there is clearly a safety issue at the pub that needs addressing sooner rather than later before another incident occurs."

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: “We are very sorry to hear of the terrible incident involving the electrocution of a child. However, the county council does not own the building or the site that it occupies.

"The duty to make the site safe is the responsibility of the building owner and would be a matter for the Health and Safety Executive to enforce.”

A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive said: "We are aware of this site and making enquiries.”

A spokesperson for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said: "Following the incident at The Three Barrels Pub in Winklebury,  Scottish and Southern Electricity worked with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service to ensure there was no immediate or ongoing electrical risk.

"The responsibility for ensuring that the site is secure and safe at all times lies with the owner of the building. The council’s environmental health team visited the site last week and, at the time of the visit, the premises was secure."

The Gazette has attempted to contact the owner of the pub but has not had a response.