Also named THE OLD BITTERNE BREWERY, CAT AND MOUSE, THE BIG CHEESE
128 / 130 West End Road
Opened in 19th Century as a brewery and then known as The Old Bitterne Brewery. Brewing ceased before WWI and the brewery building was demolished in 1926.
The original pub was damaged badly by air raids in WWII, killing the then landlord William Sly.
Victor Sly (William’s son) was made landlord and continued using the same (patched up) building until 1952 when the present pub was built and name The Bitterne Brewery.
One of the earliest pubs to have its own matchboxes manufactured for advertising.
In 1902 one advert was for Whiskey at 14s/9p (73p) per GALLON!!
For many years a free house but associated with Courage’s Brewery since 1955.
Bought by Morland Brewery in 1999 and renamed The Cat & Mouse. Moreland’s was bought by Greene King in 2000, they made it part of their Hungry Horse chain and renamed it as The Big Cheese in 2002.
Closed permanently in February 2017. Plot now occupied by ten houses.
