True story of an ED Pub

[Jah Lush]

I agree with you Keef but unfortunately class distinction and snobbery which I find absolutely abhorrent still exists.

[Cuthbert Dibble]

Interesting tale Snorky - I agree the petition sounds a bit daft but the thing is that if the freeholder of the Oglander has indeed 'relaunched' and 'revamped' it as you say, then he simply hasn't managed to effectively convey that to potential customers. What's the point in spending loads of cash on a refurb if the blinds are permanently closed (during the day, why?) and you can't see what kind of "experience" awaits inside? You don't exactly have to be Philip Green to work that one out.

I live nearby, I love beer and crisps and so should be a regular there but I simply don't fancy the place. I went in once and the look on many of the faces of the "same crowd" was pretty similar to the one the owner apparently adopted on meeting the "middle class female busybodies" you mentioned - ie "Who the f... are you?". Pool balls pretty much stopped mid shot as eyes looked round. Hmmm what a pleasant half hour that was, must recommend the place to friends.

Sorry but the argument that it's too far off the beaten track doesn't hold. The Bellenden area is now chock full of people wanting a nice pint in a good boozer - The Gowlett isn't exactly positioned in a prime position but has managed to become an award winning, friendly (albeit smokey) pub, with simple, good food. The whole La Plancha/Tapas idea at the Oglander was all very well - but for a start the sign is over the wrong bit of the building! What is it? A "local boozer"? Tapas Bar? Both? Neither? Haven't a clue and I walk past it every day.

The BRG are well meaning but I agree with others here that they seem to want to complain about anything going - I suspect the main force for the petition came from residents on Maxted and nearby roads who don't fancy the idea of flats....

The Oglander is a wasted opportunity, the building is great but the money spent on it hasn't been done so effectively.

It is a shame to hear about a local business apparently failing - but ultimately people don't got there for a reason. The idea that they should be doing so out of some kind sympathy is bizarre.

[snorky]

I make no judgment ( maybe apart from describing the BRG posse ) - I just tell it as I was tole.

[Cuthbert Dibble]

Snorky - fess up - are you Eileen who runs the BRG?

[snorky]

Cuthbert Dibble Wrote:

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

> Snorky - fess up - are you Eileen who runs the

> BRG?

EC, as Eileen is known in the ghetto , fights for her turf. dont mess with EC or you may find yourself visiting Kings one evening tio have that cap removed from your spotty ass mo fo.

[blinder999]

Mr Lush

You don't know anything about me - don't cast your own prejudices onto me. Class snobbery has nothing to do with me not going into the Oglander. It simply is not very inviting, which is presumably why the owner wants to turn it into flats.

Cheers

[carlito]

just a word in favour of the og, its actually a friendly place, reckon you're more likely to get into a conversation there than at say the gowlett, a place i like and drink in far more than the og. it does look moody though and being a residential area the balance between creating a busy pub and annoying the nieghbours is tricky. its got a very late licence for its location and most of the reg's aren't locals so there lots of car action at night. i reckon let them build flats. isnt there supposed to be a housing shortage?

c

[Jah Lush]

Nothing personal blinder999 and sorry if you were offended. Just found it a bit odd that you lived across the road from a pub for three years and never ventured inside. I used to pop in there very infrequently on an evening and found the people in there very friendly and I always had a good time but I don't think even I've set foot in there for about three or four years.

[Jeremy]

In the defence of blinder, I've never actually had a drink in my local either (although I have briefly set food in there on occasion). If it's not your kind of place, then it's fair enough.

[blinder999]

may also have been connected to the fact that I didn't get out much in those particular three years, as they were my son's first three years.

The sign saying 'Tapas Bar' they taped to the opaque windows at the Oglander didn't convince me the place had come over all continental and baby-friendly - the Gowlett on the other hand successfully adapted to the modern world, so when we had the energy we went there instead :)).