Pub of the Week: Goldies, Dorchester has had a refurbishment

Goldies, at 36 High East Street, Dorchester, has just undergone a refurbishment which has freshened the place up and given it a new look.

The pub’s landlord Martin Rees, who took over in May, said he wanted to ‘bring Goldies up to date and give it some much-needed attention’ and cement its position as a proper real ale house.

Pub landlord Martin Rees (Image: Supplied) The Marston’s pub has certainly been through numerous eras, having been a hostelry since the 1800s when it was known as the Black Lion, then much later as the Borough Arms and then becoming Goldies.

The history of the pub is an area Welshman Martin wishes to delve further into and he is getting research done on some old Eldridge Pope deeds and documents going back to the 1830s.

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The pub was formerly owned by the once-huge Dorchester brewery at a time when it had an estate of inns across Dorset worth a total of £550,000.

The pub's new look (Image: Supplied) As part of the refurbishment new real ales have been brought in, including favourites such as Hobgoblin Gold and Ringwood Best Bitter, with Goldies offering a rotating choice of six.

The skittle alley, home to around five teams, has been given a spruce up, and Martin says he would love to hear from anyone who wants to come and play the game at Goldies.

The refurbished skittle alley (Image: Supplied) The dog friendly pub courtyard, at the right time of year, is a proper sun trap.

Simple and delicious pub grub is also being introduced with the speciality being the ‘Dorchester sandwich’, a variety of popular fillings served on traditional thick local bakery bread alongside crisps and salad.

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There have been various promotions running this week during the new look pub’s launch week – all real ales are priced at £3 a pint all day, while Friday night will see singer Chris Davis entertain and Saturday night will be the pub’s karaoke session. A regular promotion will then be Carlsberg at £3 a pint on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Martin is urging people to give Goldies a try (Image: Supplied) Martin would love to see new regulars at the bar and is urging people to give Goldies a try.

He said: “I’m determined to make it work here. We can only be the best alehouse in Dorchester if we produce the goods. I’m hoping we offer something different."

The pub trade is work that Martin finds rewarding, despite the long hours.

He said: “I used to be a regional manager for Boots opticians so I suppose I’ve gone from one type of optics to another!

“I used to play rugby for Pontypridd but I had to give that up. I had my own optician’s shop.

“I’ve now been in hospitality for 34 years – I got into it quite simply because I wanted to have a pub and that’s how I came to Dorset.

"I love being busy, I’m used to it and I get up at 6am and I love what I do, it’s all about the people and for me every day is different.”