Dorset Nostalgia: Closed pubs of Portland

Here we take a look at five pubs once on the isle which we really miss.

The Mermaid Inn

The Mermaid Inn was situated at 195 Wakeham. This pub closed in 2009 and is now in residential use.

In the 1960s and 1970s Chris and May Short were landlord and landlady. We have a photo of the Mermaid from 1985, courtesy of Portland historian Stuart Morris.

Apparently the Mermaid had a side hatch from which you could buy tobacco, crisps and coke.

This photo, thought to be taken in the 1890s or earlier, was taken from behind Westhill Road gardens at the back of the Mermaid.

The Volunteer Inn

The Volunteer Inn was situated on Easton Street. This pub was present by 1881 and is now used as an estate agent.

Back in 1881 Henry and Mary Stevens were landlord and landlady. Henry was formerly a butcher from Stratton.

You can see the pub as it was in the background below.

Kings Arms

The Kings Arms was situated at 88 Chiswell. This pub was originally a sailors hostel and closed in 1972.

The pub was established as early as 1850 and was taken over by the Weymouth brewer John Groves later in the 19th century. Alterations and additions were made to the building around 1910. After closing, the building saw use as an Anges Weston Royal Sailors' Rest (the King's Arms Centre) from 1974 to 1985.

Royal Standard

The Royal Standard was situated at 27 Queens Road. It is thought that this pub closed in the early 1980s.

In 1911 the landlord was William Stone and his wife was Ann. Two of their children, Beatrice and Thomas, emigrated to Victoria, Australia. Replacing this family as innkeepers were John and Sarah Cribb.

The Sailors Return

The Sailors Return was situated at 10 Castletown. This pub closed in the 1970s and has now been converted to flats.

It was a popular place for fishermen and was run by Jan and Archie Coates.