Green light for Southampton sports bar plans

The entrepreneur behind a Bournemouth pool and sports bar has received the green light to launch a venue in Southampton, paving the way for the creation of up to 22 jobs in the city centre.The property earmarked for the transformation by Sharky’s Sports Bar owner Rod Cake is 136 Above Bar, near Toni & Guy and The Stable restaurant.Cake applied to change the use of the premises to a billiard/snooker/pool hall with a bar.Following approval from Southampton City Council, the ground and first floors of the building could now be revamped to comprise a bar featuring billiard, snooker and pool tables, along with table tennis.The venue is aimed at all age groups and could host Xbox parties for children as well as billiards and table tennis tuition.Cake told Insider his aim is to make Sharkeys “the UK’s number one sports bar” and Southampton is a “springboard” to that goal.The project could create ten full-time jobs, as well as up to ten part-time roles. It would also employ two security staff.City council planning officers said the development is “acceptable”.