Hoopers - What's your thoughts?

[LostThePlot]

Hi All,

I've been to Hoopers now a couple of times, and I don't know why, but the place is just souless.

OK, it's off the Lordship Lane drag, and was a bit scary when it was the Ivanhoe, but looks like it shoudl be OK.

Anyone else been there and got any opinions?

E

[Mark]

there's discussion about it on this thread, there's even a post from Viv, the landlord's partner

[mockney piers]

There have been a couple of threads about this.

As I've said I love my ale so I'm glad to see a place selling good beer that clearly takes care of it's pipes.

I think it's early doors, and the locals have yet to make up their mind. If it manages to get some more footfall in there then the soul will come with the increase in client?le.

I genuinely wish it well as it's nice not *having* to go to borough for a decent pint.

[Jimbo]

I met the owner at the Fair on Sunday and he seemed like a nice guy, I will be trying it out sometime this week.

I have heard good things about it on this site.

[Keef]

To be fair Piers, the pipes haven't really had time to get that dirty ;-)

Not been in yet, but intend to....

[Michael Palaeologus]

Much as I hate to disagree with Mockers I think that if they do "get football in there" then they will just alientate the locals even more. The pub is after all quite isolated in the middle of a residential area with lots of families. The noise and cars of the little used Ivanhoe caused enough grief, the thought of more noise and more cars from a footie-fan attracting Hoopers would cause apoplexies and flying writs.

To get on the right side of the locals and drum up sustainable trade they will need to sell some good food as well as beer and make it a bit more family friendly.

Footie on overly large TV screens does not a well rounded and successfull community pub make.

[mockney piers]

Sorry, I think you may have misread me there Michael. I said "footfall", ie more customers.

I did discuss that with Jamie though and he agreed that it would send the wrong signal, and it costs a fortune too. There is screen in there, but mostly with news on, I believe he'll be showing the rugger though.

[Alan Dale]

removed.

[LostThePlot]

> To get on the right side of the locals and drum up

> sustainable trade they will need to sell some good

> food as well as beer and make it a bit more family

> friendly.

Family Friendly????? No, no, no, no.....It's a pub, and sorry, but pubs are not places for Kids, especially of the sort that are not controlled. I nearly left one night because of rampaging kids. Sit quietly and have a meal and a drink as a family, but not running about. OK, not Jamie's fault, (We've chatted, nice chap) parents need to be more responsible but please at 9 at night....NAH!

My one comment on improvement would be to fit dimmer switches to the place, or have slightly waremer coloured light bulbs, it's all to clinical, and a bit like an operating theatre. Oh, and a sound system that's not a ?40 cd player for a bedroom.

Sorry, to have to say that but I really want to support it, I'm a real ale fan, and want to support loca business, but struggle with the place at the moment.

My 2p worth, hope I've not offended.

E

[SeanMacGabhann]

About the sound system - I think Jamie's partner Viv has posted about how they have had several quotations and been let down by a couple of installers so they are definitely doing what they can

I have spoken to Jamie a couple of times now and he's clearly got his eye on the ball and will do anything to make this succeed but being a new landlord and in a slightly off-the-beaten-track location, not everything will come together immediately

I wish them nothing but good will - and will be back soon despite it being as far from my flat as is possible whilst still being in the same area

[Keef]

Shame about the football in my opinion, but SKY do charge ludicrous money to pubs! Hope they play the ITV Champs League matches though, would be nice to have somewhere new to watch a match...

[Jeremy]

I don't think they need a professional PA installation, just a reasonably beefy amp and speakers (ie ?300 from Richer Sounds sort of thing)!

[SeanMacGabhann]

That's exactly what I said to Jamie!

I think the bigger concern is where to put the wires around the pub - I know they have been to Richer Sounds as well

[Michael Palaeologus]

Down with footfall as well!! Empty, peaceful pubs, thats what I want.

[OutOfFocus]

Jeremy Wrote:

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> just a reasonably beefy amp and

> speakers (ie ?300 from Richer Sounds sort of

> thing)!

The best PAs in life are free - silence is golden and all that :))

[Keef]

Mike if you like empty peaceful pubs, why don't you just buy in some cans and sit at home drinking in peace? ;-)

[LostThePlot]

> Hope they play the ITV Champs League matches

> though, would be nice to have somewhere new

> to watch a match...

It would be nicer still to have somewhere to go whwre there is NOT going to be a match on. I dream if the day when pubs start to advertise F1 or rallying or other forms of motorsport instead of the usual football/rugby combination!!!

[Keef]

You see F1 in quite a few pubs......

Personally, it's a sport I used to love, but these days it's dull as dish water!... Though this season is actually looking up a bit from what I can tell.

[LostThePlot]

Keef Wrote:

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> Personally, it's a sport I used to love, but these

> days it's dull as dish water!

Is this a Southern thing - Dish water. I'm from more arctic climes and we say Ditch Water....curious!