Did you know?

byron

RIP
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
9,584
Location
UK -Berks
Visit site
The same people who bought the Swan at Streatley have also bought the Mill at Sonning and have expressed an interest in the Beetle & Wedge if it became available. It still isn't confirmed that they are buying Springs Hotel but it is confirmed it is closing down although the Golf Club will continue.
 
Interesting, seems to be the way pubs and restaurants are going with chain ownership, its just not possible for individuals to make them pay anymore.
 
The same people who bought the Swan at Streatley have also bought the Mill at Sonning and have expressed an interest in the Beetle & Wedge if it became available. It still isn't confirmed that they are buying Springs Hotel but it is confirmed it is closing down although the Golf Club will continue.

Do you mean The Mill at Sonning the theatre and restaurant, converted from
an 18th-century flour mill, on an island in the River Thames at Sonning Eye?
 
Interesting, seems to be the way pubs and restaurants are going with chain ownership, its just not possible for individuals to make them pay anymore.

Appears to have become virtually inpossible to buy a pub freehold.Our local large brewer has virtually taken over our county and the only people capable of providing any competition are small chains with 5 or six pubs.
Although there are exceptions,the only way into the trade round here is with a tenancy.Most do not last long and the £30K put into the business usually lasts about 3 years before the worn out disallusioned and now broke would be publications call it a day.Most are reduced to buying their stock cheaply from the local supermarket in order to survive.
There is always another Canute with 30K who thinks they can turn back the tide.
 
Last edited:
There is always another Canute with 30K who thinks they can turn back the tide.

There's only one thing that will help the pub trade, something no one will admit to, something other countries including Germany have done.

Relax the no smoking rules to allow those pubs that can and wish to do so create smoking rooms.
 
There's only one thing that will help the pub trade, something no one will admit to, something other countries including Germany have done.

Relax the no smoking rules to allow those pubs that can and wish to do so create smoking rooms.

Think we might have to disagree on that one Byron, its the best thing that ever happened pubs are so much more pleasant places to go now.
 
Think we might have to disagree on that one Byron, its the best thing that ever happened pubs are so much more pleasant places to go now.

It may well be Chris but the plain fact is the rule is killing Pubs. If they have a dedicated room with extractors et-al then non-smokers can avoid using it.
 
It may well be Chris but the plain fact is the rule is killing Pubs. If they have a dedicated room with extractors et-al then non-smokers can avoid using it.

As I said I think we will disagree on this one but IMHO smokers were killing pubs, people go to pubs for different reasons now and they expect a pleasant environment to eat and drink in.
The pure drinking pubs now only exist if they show Sky TV and cater for the youth market. The world has moved on and the success of a pub now depends on the menu and location.
 
As I said I think we will disagree on this one but IMHO smokers were killing pubs, .

There speaks a no smoker even though the facts are at variance. The Germans, Spanish, Finns and others have all made modifications. Anyway what's wrong with a dedicated 'Snug' ?
 
. I'm not sure it would really be very popular.

Surveys have shown an increase of Pub turnover of 22%. Experiences abroad have shown an increase of 38%.
Take a look at any pub in the summer. Tons of punters there one never sees in the winter. This is because they are able to take a drink outside. The P&P was a prime example, Friday night in winter as many as two customers, summer as many as 40. Go figure.
Let the customers decide. There's no reason why Landlords cannot remain no smoking. If people prefer those pubs they will go there.
 
Surveys have shown an increase of Pub turnover of 22%. Experiences abroad have shown an increase of 38%.
Take a look at any pub in the summer. Tons of punters there one never sees in the winter. This is because they are able to take a drink outside. The P&P was a prime example, Friday night in winter as many as two customers, summer as many as 40. Go figure.
Isn't that just the weather :) I've never saw the P&P in the winter but we might have driven out to it if it had had an exceptional menu or something.
 
Last edited:
Isn't that just the weather :) I've never saw the P&P in the winter but we might have driven out to it if it had had an exceptional menu or something.

Yes! My point exactly. During the winter they got no pub trade from Smokers. Out comes the sun and out come the smokers. Certain pubs still do well, those with sophisticated outside smoking facilities. Diners are a different ball game entirely.
 
Top