Hampshire Business
Glimmer of hope for future of Talking Heads pub in Southampton
10:23am Friday 10th February 2012
ONE of Hampshire’s best-loved music venues could reopen towards the end of next month.
Campaigners leading calls to save the Talking Heads believe a rescue deal is within sight.
It comes after reports of a mystery investor being linked with the venue in Portswood Road, Southampton.
Their identity has still not been revealed, and the pub has remained closed since early January.
As previously reported in the Daily Echo, previous owner Mark Hughes had to cease trading because of financial hardship caused by the economic slump.
The doors closed despite an online campaign, backed by around 4,000 people, to keep the Talking Heads going.
It has been led by Jodie Copeland, who helped to organise a gig there on the final night before the current closure.
This week he said the campaigners were hoping the venue might reopen within the next few weeks.
He said: “There’s no definite decision and I understand talks are still ongoing, but what I’ve been told is that it’s looking promising.”
He added: “I would hope that it will reopen towards the end of March because it will take a while to get the pub ready. Some work might need to be done.
“However, it’s still very hopeful and I know that talks are taking place but nothing has been signed and sealed just yet.”
Previous names linked to rescuing the venue included Isle of Wight festival supremo John Giddings and Radio One DJ Rob da Bank.
Both later denied that they were involved, but expressed their hope that the Talking Heads would reopen.
There was also no reply to the telephone inquiry line at the Talking Heads.