shame, everytime I fly over my pre match ritual would go as follow > Pints in The Wetherspoon's next to the Cutty Sark, then double double in Goddards (closed down), a couple more pre game pints at the Royal Oak (closing down) and finnaly down the Valley to watch Premiership > Championship and now league one football, but hey I will stay faithfull to my team and will carry on flying over for games.
[cite]Posted By: LoOkOuT[/cite]It's slipped through in dribs and drabs over the past couple of years, but from a local punter's perspective, what exactly went wrong here? What did the last owner do to alienate the locals so? Was it more than just the renovations?
So sad.
its what he didnt do. Extended it which cost him more money than he wanted to spend and turned a nice cosy pub into a souless barn.
Then struggled to stock up the bar. coudl be lucky to get draft lager in there some nights. really lucky to get a glass of wine in there.
many reasons prob best not to say on here but was single when he took the pub over with all good intentions of doing this that and the other with it but got with a partner, she got pregnant and then he took his eye of the ball and moved up to norwich with his new family and left anyone to run it for him. the beer was shit, couldnt get a packet of crisps or peanuts etc but he always made sure there were some beer in for match day. but even then it would run out.
he reopened that on 19 october 07... and it shut some 19 months later. well done.
Every pub I use closes, with the exception of Clancys which I hope closes.
Next season I will try and close the Pickwick. Used to live a couple of roads from there and had some good times there.
oh its a bit rough round the edge tho the pickwick isnt it.
i enjoyed the lib club the other week when i went in saw a few familiar faces and nice a cheap. then be straight back to the anchor the after game session.
The Anchor is to far away, The lib is a dump I think next year i will turn in the pre match drink as I cant help but think it just habit to have a pint before but not as enjoyable as in the past.
Ray sold up to the current bloke. And said he gave him 5 mins but was happy withe price he got so snatched his arm off and is now happily living in semi retirement locally but would never set foot in the place. Spoke to him in February at a prty. he knew how to run a pub that bloke.
Making cocktails out of what was left.
What a mess i was in.
He rang the pub and threatened to call the police if we didn't leave.
Best laugh i've had in there for a couple of years.
The irony of it all is that he petitioned to stop the corner shop gaining a off sales alcohol licence.
Last night the corner shop done a roaring trade.
Recently the corner shop probably sold more beer in that pub than Clive did.
I actually know Clive & Natalie as friends, shame how the pubs have gone, still, as I dont live near there, only ever experienced it on a match day, so cant comment on how they were run.
Mmmmmm.............only ever been in there twice.
However if ever there was a classic example of someone who 'thinks' they are suited to be a pub landlord and then finding out that they aren't this must surely be it.
I could have easily bought a couple of pubs a few years back and indeed was sorely tempted....but I just knew that my character and temperament wouldn't have been suitable.
It takes a very special type of person to make ago of it..............especially nowadays.
According to several eye-witness reports, they basically said help yourself to the stock as they were closing, so not only was the stock duly consumed, but the pictures from the walls were nabbed, the ovens from the back, various fixtures and fittings - indeed, a local licensed establishment with which I am familiar now has 7 new Oak bar stools, but we did give them a few quid, though certainly not even cost. Thought about going to have a look about 10 last night but had visions of people trying to nick the sign etc so thought better of it. As this was the first pub I ever went in (though I was in a pram so my recollections are not that vivid, although this is the same as many an evening during my adult life), it really is a crying shame both as a local and with all of the CAFC connections.
[cite]Posted By: Rock Spectacle[/cite]According to several eye-witness reports, they basically said help yourself to the stock as they were closing, so not only was the stock duly consumed, but the pictures from the walls were nabbed, the ovens from the back, various fixtures and fittings - indeed, a local licensed establishment with which I am familiar now has 7 new Oak bar stools, but we did give them a few quid, though certainly not even cost. Thought about going to have a look about 10 last night but had visions of people trying to nick the sign etc so thought better of it. As this was the first pub I ever went in (though I was in a pram so my recollections are not that vivid, although this is the same as many an evening during my adult life), it really is a crying shame both as a local and with all of the CAFC connections.
Ian...I would love to have seen you make a go of it there.
A few years ago would have jumped at it but you just don't know what you are likely to inherit - breweries will see you coming, good will gone and a multitude of other things. Biggest trouble is that so many people (which is not meant as a criticism in any way) only come to Charlton on a matchday, which is around 25 days out of 365, so if you put that in percentage terms alone, never mind the cyclical side where there is no football at all and you are scratching for trade every night - for example we have done a quiz last night, a race night tonight, had a band last Friday and did food during the Champions League and England games to drum up any additional trade during the down time. It may look like a license to print money on a football day, but at 11.00 on a cold Tuesday night it isn't! Chat to you later S as I'm on 7 til close and A will kill me if I don't go home - take care mate.
[cite]Posted By: Rock Spectacle[/cite]A few years ago would have jumped at it but you just don't know what you are likely to inherit - breweries will see you coming, good will gone and a multitude of other things
What bugs me is that despite bent breweries, and with a bit of love, the Oak could still prosper - anyone who's familiar with the Dog & Bell in Deptford will know it's in an off-the-beaten-track location, and by rights should have gone years back, but keeps going through serving real ales to delight the CAMRA crowds and making an effort to be a part of its community. And it doesn't have a football stadium 400 yards away to subsidise all that on 20 Saturdays each year.
There has to be a future to that place. I am no fan of Greenwich Council, but it and its councillors need to be reminded of the Oak's history - especially as the council is quick to jump on any CAFC bandwagon, as anyone who reads its crap propaganda weekly will be able to testify.
[cite]Posted By: Rock Spectacle[/cite]A few years ago would have jumped at it but you just don't know what you are likely to inherit - breweries will see you coming, good will gone and a multitude of other things
What bugs me is that despite bent breweries, and with a bit of love, the Oak could still prosper - anyone who's familiar with the Dog & Bell in Deptford will know it's in an off-the-beaten-track location, and by rights should have gone years back, but keeps going through serving real ales to delight the CAMRA crowds and making an effort to be a part of its community. And it doesn't have a football stadium 400 yards away to subsidise all that on 20 Saturdays each year.
There has to be a future to that place. I am no fan of Greenwich Council, but it and itscouncillorsneed to be reminded of the Oak's history - especially as the council is quick to jump on any CAFC bandwagon, as anyone who reads its crap propaganda weekly will be able to testify.
Inspector - I couldn't have put it better myself. I understand that Enterprise Inns (freeholders) will be looking to get it open again as soon as possible - probably to coincide with Saturday 8th August if we are at home!
We had the same problem with one of our village pubs.
The landlord had taken a good pub, done away with the live music night, didn't look after the beer, been a bit arsey with some customers - and you can't afford to piss off regulars.
Cash flow started to dry up, he got behind with payments to the brewery - then closed the week before Christmas.
In the middle of January, the Brewery got a manager in and it opened up again - but it was obvious this guy had never run a pub before and didn't have a clue. Within weeks trade reduced to a trickle, before the Brewery acted again - and overnight put a local bloke in charge who'd run pubs before in other places.
Suddenly we had a bloke that we all knew running the place, made everybody welcome, put the music night back on and looked after the beer. It now feels like a proper local again.
In the case of the Oak, if the Brewery or whoever can find someone with personality and warmth of spirit, makes his customers welcome, and serves a good pint - then that pub's reputation will soon grow.
Comments
Final nail in the coffin for all local people.
Thanks.
its what he didnt do. Extended it which cost him more money than he wanted to spend and turned a nice cosy pub into a souless barn.
Then struggled to stock up the bar. coudl be lucky to get draft lager in there some nights. really lucky to get a glass of wine in there.
many reasons prob best not to say on here but was single when he took the pub over with all good intentions of doing this that and the other with it but got with a partner, she got pregnant and then he took his eye of the ball and moved up to norwich with his new family and left anyone to run it for him. the beer was shit, couldnt get a packet of crisps or peanuts etc but he always made sure there were some beer in for match day. but even then it would run out.
he reopened that on 19 october 07... and it shut some 19 months later. well done.
did you drink it dry then? what time did it shut. i went past about midnight and the lights were out.
This could cause real issues next season
Renamed the "Loyal Charlton Life".
Next season I will try and close the Pickwick. Used to live a couple of roads from there and had some good times there.
i enjoyed the lib club the other week when i went in saw a few familiar faces and nice a cheap. then be straight back to the anchor the after game session.
You could double the football turnover by re-orgainising the way its stocked and works.
But its on non-matchdays where there is the problem.
Curb-It & Tavern can only drink so much :o(
What a mess i was in.
He rang the pub and threatened to call the police if we didn't leave.
Best laugh i've had in there for a couple of years.
The irony of it all is that he petitioned to stop the corner shop gaining a off sales alcohol licence.
Last night the corner shop done a roaring trade.
Recently the corner shop probably sold more beer in that pub than Clive did.
Soon there won't be many left.
I suppose there's always Weatherspoons - and tinnies from the Spar shop.
Is that what we want .... ?
Tell us more Robbo. was there actually any staff on?
However if ever there was a classic example of someone who 'thinks' they are suited to be a pub landlord and then finding out that they aren't this must surely be it.
I could have easily bought a couple of pubs a few years back and indeed was sorely tempted....but I just knew that my character and temperament wouldn't have been suitable.
It takes a very special type of person to make ago of it..............especially nowadays.
Ian...I would love to have seen you make a go of it there.
;-)
What bugs me is that despite bent breweries, and with a bit of love, the Oak could still prosper - anyone who's familiar with the Dog & Bell in Deptford will know it's in an off-the-beaten-track location, and by rights should have gone years back, but keeps going through serving real ales to delight the CAMRA crowds and making an effort to be a part of its community. And it doesn't have a football stadium 400 yards away to subsidise all that on 20 Saturdays each year.
There has to be a future to that place. I am no fan of Greenwich Council, but it and its councillors need to be reminded of the Oak's history - especially as the council is quick to jump on any CAFC bandwagon, as anyone who reads its crap propaganda weekly will be able to testify.
Inspector - I couldn't have put it better myself. I understand that Enterprise Inns (freeholders) will be looking to get it open again as soon as possible - probably to coincide with Saturday 8th August if we are at home!
The landlord had taken a good pub, done away with the live music night, didn't look after the beer, been a bit arsey with some customers - and you can't afford to piss off regulars.
Cash flow started to dry up, he got behind with payments to the brewery - then closed the week before Christmas.
In the middle of January, the Brewery got a manager in and it opened up again - but it was obvious this guy had never run a pub before and didn't have a clue. Within weeks trade reduced to a trickle, before the Brewery acted again - and overnight put a local bloke in charge who'd run pubs before in other places.
Suddenly we had a bloke that we all knew running the place, made everybody welcome, put the music night back on and looked after the beer. It now feels like a proper local again.
In the case of the Oak, if the Brewery or whoever can find someone with personality and warmth of spirit, makes his customers welcome, and serves a good pint - then that pub's reputation will soon grow.
Reported to be re-opening on 3rd August
Ermmm .......................given the fiasco that was/is The Royal Oak it's only 'potentialy' good news J Block.
i nearly had a fit there!!!!!!