the vale pub - changes afoot

[StraferJack]

ah well

I'll still take a peek

cheers halfpenny

[Otta]

Boooo!!!

[Gidget]

Obfuscating? has the luck of the Irish run out?

[chrisharvey]

Let's set the record straight for everyone.

We are new managers who will be running under our own company which is its own trading entity.

I think there are very few pubs who are run by the actual owners, hence most pubs being tied to breweries who actually own them with leaseholders/managers who run them.

We are a seperate company and have complete autonomy, we shall therefore manage the pub as we see fit and proper.

We shall be making changes to the pub to improve it and welcome people's input in this regard.

Our intention is to make this into a quality community based pub for all to enjoy.

[jcw101]

Eerrrrrm, we've been here for six years, never had a bad experience in the vale. They've always welcomed our kids, and it's the only pub we have been able to find near by that shows rugby. Everyone knows rugby fans drink more and are more entertaining and nicer. Therefore rugby to stay! Looking forward to ales and new faces, new cooking. East dulwich already has quite a few self indulgent gastro pubs, that charge up for painting on plates, so keep up the proper food tag.

Looking forward to coming back once you're open. And a few more rural ciders would not go amiss.

[KateFord]

I can't wait for The Vale to change over. Like many others on this thread I had a run in with the miserable old git of a manager that used to sulkily glare at customers behind the pumps. The food was so inconsistent - some months they'd have a good chef and you'd have freshly baked pies and homemade food, and then the next month it would be back to the frozen cheap stuff - but at the same prices!

As it was my local I used to go quite a lot and was a regular, until five years ago I bought a pint there, popped outside for a fag and chat and then popped back in to use the loo and got a stream of abuse from the owner. He launched into one about 'only customers using the loos'. I said I'd just bought a pint (it was from his son I think) and was a regular customer. He told me to f*** off and that he didn't 'want my type in there', not sure if he was referring to the fact I'm female or my ethnicity tbh. Even when I proceeded to show him all my Vale receipts he pushed my hand back and said he didn't care. I couldn't believe it.

Stupid man lost a few grand that day - from not only my family's custom but all my mates and colleagues who have also boycotted it for years.

Love the crushed and devalued thread btw. It's comedy gold.

[Jeremy]

KateFord Wrote:

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> he didn't 'want my type in

> there', not sure if he was referring to the fact

> I'm female or my ethnicity tbh.

Interesting. I know someone who DJ'd in there a couple of times, and was asked not to play any hip-hop or r&b in case it attracted "the wrong type".

[LondonLogCo]

I thought it already attracted the "wrong type"

It's a god awful place anyway

[DulwichFox]

Quiet a few years back my friend had a joint Stag / Hen night.

He jokingly told me to come dressed smart..

So I went in a suit and I wore 2 ties.

I had not been there very long when one of the 'Bouncers' came over and asked me why I was wearing 2 Ties ?

I explained that my mate had asked me to come Smartly dressed so I thought I would make the extra effort.

The Bouncer then asked me if I was Taking the P*** out of him.

I said no.

And he then told me to leave and escorted me out of the Place.

Could not make it up...

Fox.

[david_carnell]

jcw101 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Eerrrrrm, we've been here for six years, never had

> a bad experience in the vale. They've always

> welcomed our kids, and it's the only pub we have

> been able to find near by that shows rugby.

> Everyone knows rugby fans drink more and are more

> entertaining and nicer. Therefore rugby to stay!

> Looking forward to ales and new faces, new

> cooking. East dulwich already has quite a few self

> indulgent gastro pubs, that charge up for painting

> on plates, so keep up the proper food tag.

> Looking forward to coming back once you're open.

> And a few more rural ciders would not go amiss.

Errr.....rugby at Hoopers up the road. Much nicer pub. Rugby fanatic of a landlord. Great beer. You're missing out.

[the-e-dealer]

Hate TV in Pubs.

[tarafitness]

The guy we're all complaining about, the one who was rude to my friends and the rest of you - is he the previous manager or the actual owner of the pub?

If it's the latter then from the sounds of things he's going to very much still 'be around'. if so, let's hope it's not in a physical sense and he doesn't feel the need to make his presence felt!

[Earl Aelfheah]

the-e-dealer Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hate TV in Pubs.

Couldn't agree more.

[Otta]

Tarafitness, that is exactly what I want to know. I always assumed he was the owner, in which case, even if the place becomes much nicer under new management, I still wouldn't want to line his pockets!

Back in 2003/04 when it was first The Vale, me and my circle of friends had some absolutely great nights down there on Fridays & Saturdays, and spent fortunes (I used to dp ?100 every night I was there - Oh to be young and have your own money to spend on yourself again!), however, gradually he and his heavy handed bouncers just p!ssed everyone off so much that we all decided not to go anymore. And believe me, none of us ever got in to any arguments or trouble in there, it was just as though the bouncers were looking for people to row with in order to make themselves look useful. The owner/manager would stand with them at the door taking money like some sort of East End gangster from the Kray's period. Total and utter knob!

[The Teacher]

Glad to hear the Vale with have new management as to the owners they were friendly to who they knew really. They were not very friendly to everyone at all. I personally have not had a bad experience in there and on an occasion was given the odd free drink. i think its a fantastic venue which at one point had a full house on a Friday and Saturday night with a live DJ. Not sure about the live bands as this was tried previously and was far from a hit. Showing football is a massive hit only stumbling block came from the previous owners unfriendly attitude. Lastly cleaning the pumps would be a great idea as when i visted the last few times the beer has been off. hope all goes well.

[DulwichFox]

Currently advertising (Window) for a new "Chef"

NOTE:- inverted commas

Fox

[chrisharvey]

hi all

i started this post to advise everyone there were changes taking place at the vale and to ask for input and suggestions.

thanks to those who have contributed positively - much appreciated.

i believe i have been completely honest and not sought to misslead, this is posted in my own name not some made up one.

I can confirm that we are taking over the pub as a new seperate company with complete autonomy and shall be running it as we choose and see fit, taking into account some of the positive feedback received.

i must also say that while i cannot comment on the abilities of the existing owners as pub managers, we have found them to be more than reasonable during our negotiations for the takeover.

i would therefore request that everyone please look to the future in a positive light - we certainly do.

all financing is in place and we are just waiting for confirmation of dates before we change to "the cherry tree".

we will advise you all when the date is confirmed.

[The Teacher]

Problem having a quiz especially in a place like the Vale is the location. People come off the train and on the way home want a beer, wine or whatever before they get home. the last thing you want is to hear some commentator and the pub in total silence especially if you are with someone it means you can barely talk. Other thing is Champions league will start soon so Tuesdays and Wednesdays will mean with a tv crowds will come again to spend money. Thursdays is a big 5 aside night at the Hamlet and crowds usually have a beer after the game. Monday would probably be the best night barring theres no football on. In its heyday a good meal warm fire when it was cold and abit of football mean the pub was so packed they had to refuse people entry.

[StraferJack]

Chris

All fair points and, certainly for me, it was my misreading of what you posted which caused me confusion. I'll certainly be down to try the place out and still hope it will be regular

If you are surprised by the amount of cynicism, I'd urge you to try and understand where it comes from. I'm glad that you (and some others) have not had problems with the owner, but many many people have. and we have seen new managers come and go with their promises since

but this does sound like a more concerted effort so fingers crossed

[tarafitness]

well put StraferJack.

apologies, Chris, if I appear unduly negative, I'm just a bit apprehensive after the previous experience.

will definitely be checking out the new Cherry Tree once it's opened :-)

Regarding pub quizzes - Teacher you have a point. However, I think that pub quizzes are fabulous fun things that actual bring local people together (e.g. if your group is small and others join/you join others). The quiz at my old local in Herne Hill - The Prince Regent - is very popular.

Also, if you have the quiz on a night where people are less likely to be after a pint (e.g. monday or tuesday) then I don't think passing trade would be that affected... in fact I think it would encourage new punters to participate, especially if the prizes were decent.

[Dopamine1979]

Haven't smart-phones effectively destroyed the pub quiz?

[The Teacher]

They tried pub quizzes in the EDT people playing hardly bought drinks and the pub was loosing more money than it made. plus many a person was using the iphone for a bit of help. The Magnolia does a good quiz but it is more out of the way where as the Vale is prime East Dulwich plus on nights without the quiz and television it is probably the most quite pub on Lordship lane. The EDT and Bishop has taken most of the regualrs who went to the Vale but hopefully they will be back.

[bloonoo]

the pub quiz I did at the EDT was incredibly hard with really obscure questions...needless to say we didn't go back (we're bad losers!!!) :) i would like to see reasonably priced food (ie not a tenner for a burger....!!!)

[Lishyloo]

Do the opposite to the actress and exhibition and you will have yourself a good pub with down to earth people and pompass twats who can not controll there kids

[annabel42]

My idea of perfection is a pub which supplies good, fresh, value for money meals, drinks at reasonable prices, a large selection of each kind of spirits, is free of screaming, uncontrolled children but, most of all, where one can relax and read the papers in peace over a few drinks without being made to rush to make way for incoming customers. The Rose in Forest Hill road used to come pretty close, but is presently not serving food. (except for pizza one or two evenings a week).

I was recently at a pub in Suffolk which had two restaurants, one set aside for accompanied children, the other for adults with no children. It seemed to work very well.

On the spirit front, Franklins, one of my favourite pub/restaurants, has introduced me to Sparrow gin, made in Peckham (Peckham Rye). You may like to give this a go? It is quite like Hendricks.

It would be good to be able to watch some sport, but perhaps in an area away from the customers there just for drinks, chat, meals etc?

The Dartmouth Arms in Forest Hill and the Dolphin in Sydenham (under same ownership) are very succesful. They focus very strongly on personal customer service and fresh, locally sourced produce. Television is in the pub area only for events such as Wimbledon, Olympics, World Cup football, Tri-nations, Six Nations etc. The Dolphin usually stages a play outside each Summer. Not being a beer drinker, I can't vouch for their beer, but I never heard any complaints about it. They have an extensive wine list, and an adequate spirits selection.

Children are not allowed (at least in the restaurant) after 7pm.

I am not in any way connected with the pubs I have mentioned. Just thought that, as you have asked for suggestions, you may be interested in how these long established, popular, pub restaurants operate.