We can’t quite believe that Casemates was named Small Business of the Year at the Portsmouth Business Awards last night. Third time lucky in a huge category full of other incredible businesses…
We are so, so proud of what Casemates has become.
But this award isn’t just ours. It belongs to every single person who walks through our doors. The musicians rehearsing and recording in the studios. The creatives running beautiful workshops. The people who tell us Casemates feels like their safe place. The families who choose to celebrate birthdays and special occasions here. The dog walkers popping in for a coffee. The friends who bring friends.
You are the heartbeat of this place and honestly… running a small business is hard. It’s early mornings, late nights, broken things that need fixing, hands deep in pockets for endless running costs. It’s 3am security alarms going off at the most ungodly hours, and us pulling on coats over pyjamas to go and sort it. It’s learning as we go and riding the ups and downs. But it’s also community, connection, creativity and watching something grow stronger every single day.
We are unbelievably proud of Paul. He is the driving force behind this place and works relentlessly — day in, day out. Even when he’s on holiday, there’s no real switch off. He carries this business with such determination and heart, and we see how hard he works for both Casemates and his family.
Casemates is growing, evolving, becoming more of what we always hoped it would be. We are just so grateful - and so excited to see where the journey takes us next.
This one is for all of you 🤍
#newsbizawards #portsmouth #smallbuisness
We’re so pleased to have donated this amount to Rowans Hospice today! ⚡🔥 Huge thanks to everyone who came along and supported this amazing cause - your support means the world. Together, we’re making real change happen. 💥🤝 #RowansHospice #Community #Portsmouth
Historical Hidden gem coffee spot of Portsmouth and a marshes walk ⚓️🥾🍽️
@casematesstudios 🎶🎸☕️
In the North of Portsmouth, this hidden gem cafe is nestled amongst overgrowing trees and part of the Hilsea Lines fortifications. In the mid 90s a music recording studio started up and more recently a cafe added for general public to visit.
We enjoyed a coffee made with local roasters, Bubble head barrista and sat and enjoyed the historical surroundings of the fortification built in the late 1800s and used as a gun fortification. Musical hero’s adorn the walls and they host regular open mic events and music from local artists every Sunday at 3pm.
After a few mins walk we went through an old tunnel of the fortifications and into foxes forest taking in the autumnal colours. One of the cities few woodland areas.
📍 Casemates Studios & Cafe Bastion, 4 Scott Rd, Hilsea, Portsmouth PO3 5JH
🅿️ Free parking right outside
A 5k walk around Farlington Marshes 🪶🌊🥾
Next up, an 8 min drive away we arrived for a 5k circular walk of the marshes I had found on alltrails.
We followed a path circling around the Marshes with an open landscape over the Portsmouth and the spinnaker. Lots of wildlife to be seen with internationally important populations of wading birds according to the trust website. At low tide you can walk on the beach too. Easy walking but not naturally the most diverse scenery for say a family walk with kids.
🅿️ Farlington Marshes car park, Free at Eastern Rd, Portsmouth
Weekend is here 🙌🍻
Local craft beers flowing, ice-cold Guinness and @Staggeringly Good Brewery on tap - what more do you need? 🍺🔥
We’ve also got wines, spirits, ciders and plenty of non-alcoholic options too, so there’s something for everyone 🍷🍹🍏✨
Come down, grab your favourite drink, and start the weekend properly. #casemates #portsmouth #smallbusiness #supportlocal
Portsmouth are on the longlist for UK City Of Culture 2029. 💙
We are all very proud at Casemates to be supporting Portsmouth Creates with this ambitious, passionate and impressive campaign.
If you don’t already, make sure you follow ‘We Are Pompey 2029’ - on all your favourite social media apps to keep up to date with the bid!
Also, you can register for the newsletter via wearepompey2029.co.uk
And for those with good eyes - Can you spot Paul from Casemates in this pic? 👀
#WeArePompey2029 #Portsmouth100 #PortsmouthAmbassador #Casemates
Coffee, caramel and meringue cake… or strawberry chocolate? ☕🍓🍫
The hardest decision you’ll make all week. Both completely homemade, both dangerously delicious, and both best enjoyed with good company and your favourite drink in hand.
So… what’s your pick? 👀✨
#CafeVibes #CoffeeLovers #HomemadeCake #SweetTreats #foodiefinds
What a brilliant line-up we’ve got for this Sunday with Hollins and Green and the amazing Ollie Hutton 🎶✨ Expect proper feel-good vibes, great music and the perfect way to spend your weekend.
If you’ve been meaning to come and find us, this is a great chance to support local musicians, enjoy some free live music and treat yourself to a coffee or a locally crafted beer while you’re here 🍻☕️
#LiveMusic #SupportLocal #SundaySessions #LocalMusicScene #Weekend
A super chilled and wonderfully creative Forever Flowers workshop at @casematesstudios this evening 🌺
Find out what’s up next: follow me and Casemates to stay in the loop!
Music in May 🔥 Get these dates in your diary! Weekly Sunday Sessions, Open Mics and another bank holiday special with @the_hill_brothers ! 🙌 Check out the ‘what’s on’ page ➡️ #casemates #portsmouth #livemusic
What a Sunday Session yesterday with Jim Hammond on the stage! 🎶🌧️
Rain outside, cosy café vibes inside, beer in hand… the perfect way to spend a Sunday. 🍺☕️
Back at it tonight with Open Mic Night from 8pm 🎤 hosted by The Hill Brothers.
Got original music to share? Come and show us what you’ve got!
#OpenMic #LiveMusic #GrassrootsMusic #sundaysessions #PortsmouthMusic SupportLocalMusic
We’ve got our Forever Flowers workshop coming up this week and it’s honestly going to be such a lovely way to spend some time making something beautiful that lasts.
A few spaces are still left if you’d like to join us - but they’re going fast!
Hosted by the brilliant Jess from Make It Quirky, this is one of those sessions where you come in thinking you’ll just “have a go”… and leave totally inspired.
Come and create something a bit special 💐✨ Book today ➡️ #portsmouth #creatives
