Re-Packaging Pubs
Discussion
Not a rant this, as such. Maybe just bemoaning.
For the last 5 or so years, I've stopped off at a pub on the way home from work for a beer and a read (EVO / Octane / or CAR). Anyway. Large pub, largely food based, but with a proper bar area with quarry tiled floor, and dartboard, good crack with the regulars and staff, and somewhere for Max the collie to either chill out in front of the log fire or chase beer mats (usually thrown by me
). Great atmosphere, and the pub had a great character with bar area separated from diners so that diners could sniff haughtily at us commoners at the bar, and we could take the piss out of diners getting precious about their chips.
After 8 weeks or refurbishment, The Bell has re-opened. And lost all it's character.
The bar area is no more, and the whole place is now effectively a restaurant with a posh looking bar in the middle. Max the collie is no longer welcome as it's now carpeted throughout, and staff greet me with, 'Good evening, Sir! Are you eating with us tonight?'. No. I'm not. I just want a couple of beers and a read. Don't call me "Sir", call me Sy like the other staff used to.
<sigh>
I know it's early days after the re-opening, but it does seem a shame where pubs with the right balance for both drinkers and diners are being supplanted by re-furbished "pubs" that cater solely for those who want 2-for-1 Canadian Chicken Melts at the expense of those who would like a beer and some craic.
For the last 5 or so years, I've stopped off at a pub on the way home from work for a beer and a read (EVO / Octane / or CAR). Anyway. Large pub, largely food based, but with a proper bar area with quarry tiled floor, and dartboard, good crack with the regulars and staff, and somewhere for Max the collie to either chill out in front of the log fire or chase beer mats (usually thrown by me
). Great atmosphere, and the pub had a great character with bar area separated from diners so that diners could sniff haughtily at us commoners at the bar, and we could take the piss out of diners getting precious about their chips.After 8 weeks or refurbishment, The Bell has re-opened. And lost all it's character.
The bar area is no more, and the whole place is now effectively a restaurant with a posh looking bar in the middle. Max the collie is no longer welcome as it's now carpeted throughout, and staff greet me with, 'Good evening, Sir! Are you eating with us tonight?'. No. I'm not. I just want a couple of beers and a read. Don't call me "Sir", call me Sy like the other staff used to.
<sigh>
I know it's early days after the re-opening, but it does seem a shame where pubs with the right balance for both drinkers and diners are being supplanted by re-furbished "pubs" that cater solely for those who want 2-for-1 Canadian Chicken Melts at the expense of those who would like a beer and some craic.
Edited by kiteless on Tuesday 8th June 22:44
I think this aptly describes your current problem.
Caution - Lyrics NSFW or Tiny ears..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGeFZzd0yUI
Caution - Lyrics NSFW or Tiny ears..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGeFZzd0yUI
This is one of my chief gripes.
Almost every pub in Surrey is now identical, albeit with subtle variations in the degree of w*nkiness: 'Eating House and Farmer's Market'?
Hmmmm... Woe betide anyone who actually wanted a drink.
A favourite local - The Rising Sun in Epsom - has just been given the sage-green-paint-and-brass-lettering treatment.
Why? Having been extensively refurbed a few years ago (ie. the installation of inside lavatories), it was fine as it was.
It's a pub, FFS, not a branch of Laura Ashley.
Almost every pub in Surrey is now identical, albeit with subtle variations in the degree of w*nkiness: 'Eating House and Farmer's Market'?
Hmmmm... Woe betide anyone who actually wanted a drink.
A favourite local - The Rising Sun in Epsom - has just been given the sage-green-paint-and-brass-lettering treatment.
Why? Having been extensively refurbed a few years ago (ie. the installation of inside lavatories), it was fine as it was.
It's a pub, FFS, not a branch of Laura Ashley.
Mobile Chicane said:
w*nkiness
My route home from work is (was) devoid of suitable "drinking" establishments. The Bedford Arms reeked of banjoes, The Fox tolerates drinkers, but at a price (£6.60 for a glass of house red at the weekend!!!), and the Red Lion can't make up it's mind what it wants to be (cliquey locals mixed with diners who think the food is good - it's not).
Shropshire w*nkiness indeed!
Pubs are closing at a fantastic rate across the whole country. Many reasons for this, some plausible, some rubbish. What you are seeing is those that remain trying to find a market. Many will find that there is no market, especially during the 'crunch'.
Of course, if you are/were a rabid anti-smoker, you can GFY.
Of course, if you are/were a rabid anti-smoker, you can GFY.
grumbledoak said:
Of course, if you are/were a rabid anti-smoker, you can GFY.
And they can also give themselves a hearty pat on the back for the huge increase in number of these sort of people visiting pubs these days:http://www.shropshirestar.com/lifestyle/2010/05/17...
kiteless said:
grumbledoak said:
Of course, if you are/were a rabid anti-smoker, you can GFY.
And they can also give themselves a hearty pat on the back for the huge increase in number of these sort of people visiting pubs these days:http://www.shropshirestar.com/lifestyle/2010/05/17...
kiteless said:
grumbledoak said:
Of course, if you are/were a rabid anti-smoker, you can GFY.
And they can also give themselves a hearty pat on the back for the huge increase in number of these sort of people visiting pubs these days:http://www.shropshirestar.com/lifestyle/2010/05/17...
k himself.kiteless said:
grumbledoak said:
Of course, if you are/were a rabid anti-smoker, you can GFY.
And they can also give themselves a hearty pat on the back for the huge increase in number of these sort of people visiting pubs these days:http://www.shropshirestar.com/lifestyle/2010/05/17...
TubbyRutter said:
kiteless said:
grumbledoak said:
Of course, if you are/were a rabid anti-smoker, you can GFY.
And they can also give themselves a hearty pat on the back for the huge increase in number of these sort of people visiting pubs these days:http://www.shropshirestar.com/lifestyle/2010/05/17...
"Perhaps if you send a grown up next time we will get a more balanced review and a few more stars? Personally I can’t wait."
An Insufferable Tit said:
Claire’s apple pie, however, was a bit of a revelation and emerged as the highlight of the evening. Beneath the thick pastry was a deep layer of lovely, chunky apple, along with delicious custard.
Crivens! Apples in an apple pie! Amazing!His life must be one long voyage of discovery.
The Bar Manager said:
shame we hadn’t actually got apple pie on when they came
What's that, you say? A journalist just making things up?Surely not!
I think pubs are closing for the same reason most petrol stations have closed. The duty on the product is so high (all for the good of our health of course - the money is unimportant to the Exchequer 
) that the business can't make a reasonable profit without support from other sales.
) that the business can't make a reasonable profit without support from other sales.Gassing Station | Food, Drink & Restaurants | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff