THEY’VE served generations of drinkers over the years and they are still going strong.

Mike, 74, and Lynne Sinker, 69, from Romsey, have been landlord and landlady of the Bakers Arms in Winchester since 1973, and in that time the city has gone through many changes, but not this pub.

While other pubs have become gastro pubs, wine bars, coffee shops or chains such as Wetherspoon’s this one sticks by what it knows best.

Mike told the Daily Echo: “It’s a traditional pub and that’s how we want to keep it. I feel our pub stands out in Winchester because of this. There are not that many pubs that are run under a traditional format now.”

He added: “I know generations of customers that come here, I know their mum’s and dad’s and even their grandads.”

Mike said he came to Winchester in 1973 from London to take on the pub and since then there have been two main changes to the pub. What was originally two bars has been turned into one and an outdoor Victorian style canopy was added to the front 25-years-ago.

This cosy pub is conveniently located on the high street and within walking distance of all sight-seeing locations, this pub also features a beautiful, wisteria covered terrace in the front, which proves a great spot to try their very reasonably priced food and drink.

Landlord Mike said: Our outdoor space is a big draw to our pub in the summer. Our food is traditional pub grub. I like to think of it as good quality and well prepared.”

The pub serves food from 10am to 3pm and dishes range from an all-day English breakfast, ploughman’s lunch, burgers, jacket potatoes, lasagne, cod and chips to the signature dish home cooked ham with egg, beans, chips and salad. Sandwiches and paninis are also on offer. All lunches are less than £8 and roast are available on Saturday and Sunday.

Beers range from £3.95 for real ales to £4.50 for lagers and Guinness. Wines are from £3.20 to £5.90 a glass.

Mike believes the pub building dates from the 1820s or 30’s but the name is a bit of a mystery to him and he wonders if the pub was once a bakery or whether there was one nearby.

The barmaid Tammy Petch said: “I like the atmosphere here. The customers and staff are like an extended family. It’s a real community here.”

Gary Daniel, the bar manager who has worked at the pub for 28 years, said: “It’s a proper traditional pub, no frills, just good beer and good pub food.”

For entertainment there is a pub darts team which plays every Monday night, live bands regularly play including a house band that does rock covers, and every Saturday at 5pm there is a ‘meat draw’ where people who bought tickets throughout the week can win all sorts of meat products from joints of beef and pork to lamb chops and sausages.

The Bakers Arms at Bakers Arms Passage, 22 High Street, Winchester. Contact 01962 865860.

Vox Pop

Chris Pines, 72, a retired teacher and former Mayor of Winchester, said: “It’s an institution. We used to call it my office when I was a councillor. I was a student at King Alfred’s when I started drinking here and I planted the patio wisteria 25 years ago. Because it’s down the alley not everyone finds it. It’s a little microcosm of ordinary Winchester people. I love the Sunday lunch too.”

Jeremy Wahlberg, 45, a chef from Winchester, said: “It’s a traditional pub rather than a busy chains. I hate chain pubs but this pub has character and a welcoming atmosphere. I’ve been coming here since 1989.”

Clive Hibberd, 6o, bus station café owner from Winchester, said: “I’ve used this pub for over 30 years. It’s like a home from home. You are treated like a friend rather than a customer.”