When Chantelle Cheshire and Pete Street arrived at the Fox Tavern just over a month ago, they weren’t simply taking over a pub, they were stepping into nearly 300 years of Gosport history. The Fox, first recorded as a tavern in 1736, had weathered a turbulent few years with multiple landlords, a period of closure, and a community unsure what would come next.
Today, the doors are open, the lights are warm, and the regulars say the place feels alive again.
And that’s largely down to two people.
A chance meeting, a big move, and a new life together
Chantelle, originally from Milton in Portsmouth, has just spent four years at B&Q’s Fratton branch selling kitchens and bathrooms. Pete, a heating and plumbing engineer from Silvertown in East London, was working in the area and walked in to buy a kitchen. “I never thought I’d walk out with a girlfriend,” he laughs.
“I really enjoyed spending time with Chantelle so moved to Portsmouth three years ago,” Pete says. “I’d spent 20 years teaching engineering so retired on my teacher’s pension. I have a huge interest in craft beers, so I had this idea in the back of my mind about running a tap room on the coast.”
Pete tried to find a suitable venue but when no opportunities arose the dream evolved.
“Could we do craft beers in a pub instead? That became the question,” he says, dreamily. “And then what do you know – the Fox came up.”
The Fox Tavern’s two‑storey tiled façade was the first thing that caught their eye. “It’s beautiful,” says Pete. “We knew straight away this was something special.”
But they weren’t walking into a ready‑made business. The pub had been closed for four months after Christmas, the garden left to grow wild, the interior was tired and in need of a serious scrub, the whole place crying out for attention.
“It was in a bad state of repair when we got here,” Chantelle says. “But we weren’t put off. We just rolled up our sleeves and got stuck in.”
Pete says they received the keys on 5th May and planned to open the doors just three days later. “We didn’t know if we’d make it. We spent the three days working 15 hours a day – cleaning, painting, sorting. It was intense. But we wanted people to walk in and feel welcome. So we just ploughed through for three days straight,.
Before taking the keys, the couple visited other local pubs, introducing themselves to landlords and spent time chatting to regulars and locals.
“The response was incredible,” Chantelle says. “People were genuinely excited the Fox was reopening. They wanted to know who we were and what we were planning. As soon as our doors opened people started popping in. The warmth of the community has been amazing.”
Peter says hat early goodwill has only grown. ” I have heard locals describe the atmosphere as friendly, family‑like, and the best it’s been in years, which is really lovely to hear. We know we are on the right track.”
Chantelle, who left B&Q only last week to work at the pub full‑time, says the timing felt right.
“I lost a lifelong friend just before Christmas,” she says quietly. “It knocked me for six and made me think about life, what we’re doing and how precious it all is. Working together and seeing more of each other – it just felt right.”
The Fox is now a true family affair. Chantelle’s son Charlie works full‑time behind the bar, along with his close friend Afie who is soon to join the Navy. “When Alfie leaves, Chantelle’s niece will step in,” says Pete, before laughing after I ask if they have any hobbies.
“We’re working so hard we don’t have time for hobbies!” he giggles. “I play golf occasionally. I have a daughter and two grandchildren in Gloucestershire. I love being a grandad and spending time with them. I also have another daughter in Australia, who I like to visit when I can. But right now, the pub is the focus.”
Chantelle says she often volunteers at Seasalt Studio, a creative space for people with learning disabilities. “It’s lovely and relaxing and incredibly rewarding,” she says. “I usually volunteer once a week.
Listening to locals and giving them what they want
One of the couple’s biggest strengths is simple, they ask customers what they want, and they listen.
That’s how the meat raffle started.
“I’d never heard of a meat raffle before their request,” Pete laughs “But the locals asked for it. So every Sunday we raffle off £200 worth of meat. We buy it ourselves and whatever profit we make above what we spent, goes to charity.”
The charity they donate to is ‘Save a Warrior’, which is run by Tom Burgess, a local man who supports ex‑military personnel facing hardship. The pub is also currently running a World Cup sweepstake, with substantial prize to the winner, and again any profit will be donated to the same cause.
“We also host a Thursday night quiz, which is hosted by local fundraising legend Les Heyoe, who is famously raised £12m for causes in and around Gosport,” says Pete.
And while the pub is tied to a pub‑co, meaning craft beers are not currently an option, Pete is already in talks with them about introducing a guest craft beer of the month.
Looking Ahead: food, family, and a legacy
Long‑term, Pete hopes to develop a food offer at the pub. “Long term we would love to be in a place where we could open a kitchen and offer a fantastic menu. There’s nine years between Chantelle and I, so for me , this is about leaving a legacy for Chantelle and our collective children, something solid, as well as integrating ourselves into the community and hopefully making a real difference to their lives.”
For now, Chantelle and Pete are focused on the basics: serving good beer, offering good company to the locals, and building a community.
“What makes a pub special?” I ask.
“Without a doubt, the community,” says Chantelle. “The feedback we’ve received been wonderful. Our customers feel like an extended family.”
And in just one month, the Fox Tavern has gone from closed and uncertain, to buzzing, hopeful, and full of life again.
It’s a fresh start for Gosport’s oldest pub, and for the couple who took a chance on it.
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