Another top notch old school boozer down the pan

[Louisa]

Just read the thread about the Castle. Not been in a long while but nonetheless it's very upsetting for everyone involved. It's getting to the point where many people in the area will feel as though they aren't welcome anywhere, anymore. Would it really hurt the pub co to leave one last proper London boozer for the large chunk of locals who don't want foody/gastro crap? Very disappointed in this decision. She was part of the furniture in that pub too. Shocked.

Louisa.

[bob]

I thought the pub was not part of a chain am I wrong.

Bob S

[DovertheRoad]

Predictable start. Another 3/4 pages of wind up /gentrification/ pubco behaviour and business model will follow below shortly...or save yourselves minutes of valuable life value by checking the forum archives.

[Otta]

Louisa has a very fair point on this occasion. Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, there are plenty of people that don't feel comfortable in the other pubs and bars the area now has to offer. For them this is a genuine loss as chances are it will be transformed in to another food serving jazz pub. Like the area is crying out for one of those.

[BrandNewGuy]

So it's the pubco that's the fault. It's not really fair to blame the b**w-ins. As I mentioned on the other thread, wet-led pubs are under threat all over London and elsewhere - and certainly not just in areas of 'gentrification'.

[Abe_froeman]

It doesn't appeal to non-blow-ins though, going by the original post

[BrandNewGuy]

Maybe not, but the suggestion from some has been that the b**w-ins can't wait to get another tarted-up boozer and the pubcos respond accordingly. As Otta says, the area doesn't appear to be crying out for it. It's greedy pubcos who sre to blame who want to make as much as possible from every boozer, tarted-up or old school.

[Louisa]

The pub does appeal to lots of people, it's always fairly busy. That's not the issue, the issue no doubt is a pub co seeing an opportunity to turn it up market and attract the yuppies for overpriced food no doubt. I would argue, as would many regulars, that it's nice to keep at least one traditional boozer locally that's not crowded with prams and posh loud people eating food that most of us can't even pronounce! Keep it alcohol and adult friendly, that's what I say.

Louisa.

[Otta]

Louisa Wrote:

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> Would it really hurt the pub co to leave one last proper London boozer for the large chunk of locals who don't want foody/gastro crap? L

On this occasion "bl0w-ins"haven't been mentioned.

[BrandNewGuy]

... OK, 'yuppies' then :-) As I say, the pubco would be turning the screw even if the area wasn't gentrifying. It's what they're doing nearly everyhwere.

[Otta]

You're right.

But it's shit.

[BrandNewGuy]

It is indeed.

[Louisa]

They better not get their hands on The Man of Kent.

Louisa.

[BrandNewGuy]

Well, if you go there and drink enough bottles of Manns they won't be tempted ;-)

[Seabag]

They're changing managers

Where's the evidence for all the other guff?

[Otta]

What guff?

[Peckhamrye]

Who owns it?

[Seabag]

Otta Wrote:

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> What guff?

The bit about it getting done up

[numbers]

Very sad news.

Everywhere in London seems to be becoming blander these days. Even 'edgy' places have been designed to death. (Are we in Mick macs artificial reality world?)

[malumbu]

As I regularly point out you have to go elsewhere for a trad boozer - Blythe or Ivy. In this respect East Dulwich is a desert. You can also try the Chandos in Honor Oak if you want an old school pub with TV, lager and stares. The General Napier could be like the Chandos, but could be like the Blythe, and doesn't know which way to go. The Foresters aka All in One is reasonable as well and has some lovely architecture being a 1940s pub bolted onto a Victorian one.

Chandos definitely ticks the boxes for edgy.

[DulwichFox]

Last time I was in The Castle it still had a Pool Table...

When The Foresters became The Bishop the first thing they did was to get rid of the Pool Tables

making way for 30 + Seats for drinkers and diners.

The Castle seems to be catering for people (many I once knew) who are no longer with us...

It really is a 'Back Street' boozer which geographically competes with The Great Exhibition and The Actress.

It is a truly locals pub and NOT a destination pub. No wonder sales are down..

I don't think there is much that can be done to change this.

Sadly many pubs like The Castle have already closed down and have been redeveloped.

Foxy.

[Jah Lush]

Sales aren't down though but the pubco obviously thinks they can gain mores sales than at present. The pool table is still there. It also serves the best pint of Guinness in Dulwich.

[Seabag]

I went to the Brick Brewery in PKM last nite

Oh, now even that has changed beyond recognition. Is there a phrase for hip places that become more commercially prudent?

Maybe it's simply called "a business"

But I was relived to see Help-me-a-boab and his jolly merry Scotlandish pals, apparently "In dobble figgas" by 7pm

[Otta]

Laughing at anyone calling The Ivy a traditional boozer.

And before anyone has a funny turn. No I'm not slagging it off.

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Oooft.

Seabag Wrote:

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> I went to the Brick Brewery in PKM last nite

>

> Oh, now even that has changed beyond recognition.

> Is there a phrase for hip places that become more

> commercially prudent?

> Maybe it's simply called "a business"

>

> But I was relived to see Help-me-a-boab and his

> jolly merry Scotlandish pals, apparently "In

> dobble figgas" by 7pm