The friendly Bristol estate pub keen to change its rough-and-tumble image

‘I’d like to bring in cribbage’, says Jayne Bransome, stood behind the curved bar inside The Treble Chance in Southmead.

The pub is positioned on the main road through the area, Greystoke Road, and has unfairly developed a rough image from those outside the area - but both Jayne and the landlady Lisa Thorne are determined to change all that.

For a start, the front bar area was refurbished with new sofas and chairs during lockdown. Then, this year, work has been done to spruce up the garden with features including children’s play equipment given away by the local pre-school.

Now further work is being done to smarten up the lounge at the back - and when we visited today (June 13) paint could be smelt from the area which also serves up as a function room for events such as wakes.

It’s a long throw from 10 years ago when, even through the mist of several bottles of Katy, this writer can remember a much more basic pub interior.

But why does it have a ‘rough reputation’? “Because it’s in Southmead,” Jayne laughs. “But when people actually come in they are really impressed and it changes the way they think about the place.

“We’ve a pub which is proudly here for the community.”

The pub serves up a good collection of drinks, everything from Stella (£4 a pint) to Thatchers Gold (£3.80 a pint). There are also snacks and sometimes the owner Lisa puts on rolls behind the bar.

As for entertainment, there is a pool table, juke box and darts inside. The pub also has many large televisions which show live sport, and there are flags for England, Bristol City and Bristol Rovers.

On one wall there is a picture of Bristol Bears player Joe Joyce at the pub. Jayne says he often comes in for drinks with his friends or his father who lives in the area.

Jayne started work at the pub a year ago having lived in Southmead for most of her life. “I love living here - I love the community, everyone gets together to help when something’s wrong. I wouldn’t change it for anywhere.”

Talking of the community, the pub’s Treb Fest takes place this summer. It sees a stage put up outside the front with bales of hale for seating and flags on display. It’s one of the big annual events in Southmead.

The Treble Chance is a welcoming pub that warrants a visit, no matter what you’ve heard elsewhere.

The Treble Chance, 1 Greystoke Ave, Bristol BS10 6AG