The Thatcher’s Bar in Portsmouth has reopened its doors following an interior and exterior makeover to give customers a friendly community hub to enjoy seven days a week. This much-loved pub has been serving locals for over 150 years and is now part of the award-winning Craft Union Pub Company. They have carried out a high-quality refurbishment while keeping the pub’s traditional character, including added bar fittings, fixed seating, new décor and lighting. Sports fans can view Sky and BT Sport on the new AV products as well as enjoy the in-house darts and pool.
The main purpose of the installation was to use new TV screens and audio to bring match days to life. In the Front Bar area, a mix of Samsung Hospitality 4K LED TVs and Samsung Hospitality LED TVs were installed ranging from 32” to 65” on a mix of Peerless and B-Tech flat TV brackets. 3 x Cloud 6” 100V Loudspeakers were chosen to accompany the digital display screens in this area.
In the Main Bar area, 2 x 55” Samsung Hospitality LED TVs were fitted to display live sport matches. An additional 32” Samsung Hospitality LED TV was fixed directly behind the bar in a visible position for customers queuing for drinks. It was then connected to an intuitive digital signage player with bespoke MySign digital signage software and templates. This permits staff to update and change the content on screen with drinks offers and marketing materials and the ability to edit the templates at pub level.
In the Rear Raised Area, 1 x 65” Samsung Hospitality 4K LED TV and 1 x 55” Samsung Hospitality LED TV were mounted on Peerless flat TV brackets. Flat TV brackets fix the digital display screens only mm from the wall offering a sleek mounting solution. To enable customers to hear the sporting commentary as well as see it, advanced audio technology was also supplied and fitted by TVC in this area. 4 x Audac 8” 175W Loudspeakers were fixed on swivel brackets. 2 x single unit lighting effects were included to be used alongside the TV screens and audio, especially when live music performers are present or at the weekend when customers are partaking in a gripping pool tournament!
New Manager Carl Green said: “This is a great pub and it’s brilliant getting to know the regulars and meeting new people. People are at the heart of this city and this pub, and this is a great place to stop off and meet friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues – have a chat, have a drink, watch a match, whatever. We are here all day, every day whatever the occasion. The latest tech means we can show TV sports but at the same time we have the traditional pub games so customers can play pool or darts here too.”
