The Hobbit, Southampton

In 2012 the pub was involved in a legal dispute with Middle-earth Enterprises, a company owned by film producer Saul Zaentz, over its use of the name.

[10] It was operated by landlord Steve Dockrell prior to his death in October 2008,[11] and was taken over by Stella Roberts in June 2009.

[12] In the 2010s, the Hobbit's business began to suffer because of increasing costs, and that since the rise in tuition fees students have been spending much less at the venue.

[8] The move was strongly criticised by actors Stephen Fry and Ian McKellen, both of whom were to appear in the Hobbit film series,[15] and by John Denham, Member of Parliament for Southampton Itchen.

[18] In 2017, Roberts reported that the pub may have to close owing to increasing rates for commercial premises in Southampton.