Drinkers join forces to fight sports bar plans (From Echo)
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Drinkers join forces to fight sports bar plans
5:00pm Thursday 20th January 2011 in News By Steve Hackwell
A fight on their hands – regulars Jim Clanders, Raymond Jarmain, Jo McPherson, Kevin Roache, Les Potter and Russell Blackman
CUSTOMERS at a popular family pub are outraged at plans to make it part of a chain and force out its landlords.
Regulars at the Victory Inn, Ashingdon, are prepared to fight to save their local and the jobs of Peter and Janice Broadbent.
Pub owner Punch wants to shut the venue, in Ashingdon Road, and convert it to the John Barras chain, with big television screens for sports.
The move would mean bringing in a new general manager.
Regular drinker Kevin Roache, 48, said: “I don’t see how changing the pub will make any difference.
“It’s a long way in either direction until you come to the next pub. They won’t attract any more customers by changing it.
“It’s disgusting the way they have treated the landlords.”
Although no date has been set for the revamp, Punch is expected to close the pub for refurbishment within the next few months.
The John Barras chain, which describes itself as the “heart of the community”, is known for its large television screens, music and games.
The new Victory Inn, at which the Broadbents have been landlords for more than 11 years, will also feature karaoke and poker nights.
Russell Blackman, 40, drinks at the pub every day.
He said: “It absolutely stinks.
“The way they have been treated is shocking. I don’t think anybody would say the pub doesn’t need a lick of paint.
“But why do they have to get rid of the landlords at the same time?
“They are part of the community and they should stay.”
Raymond Jarmain, 74, of Greensward Lane, Hockley, added: “I don’t see how sports are going to attract people. It is all about the food at a pub like this.
“Peter and Janice have been very good. I’d be very sad to see them go.”
Regulars plan to hold a crisis meeting at the pub on Saturday at 12.30pm to set out a battle plan.
A spokeswoman for Punch said: “The Victory Inn has been earmarked to be transformed into a John Barras community local and will be a great place to socialise and be entertained any day of the week.
“We would like to say thank you to Peter and Janice for managing the pub for 11 years and are working with them to find alternative roles within the Punch Pub Company estate.”
Comments(16)
GeneralMelchett
says...
5:43pm Thu 20 Jan 11
It is a shame they have treated the landlords like this though.
juneantom
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5:48pm Thu 20 Jan 11
lemon demon
says...
6:22pm Thu 20 Jan 11
Campbell's dad
says...
6:36pm Thu 20 Jan 11
Seasider90
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8:14pm Thu 20 Jan 11
DaveMcgee
says...
9:02pm Thu 20 Jan 11
perini
says...
10:49pm Thu 20 Jan 11
Seasider90
says...
11:16pm Thu 20 Jan 11
perini
says...
11:31pm Thu 20 Jan 11
DaveMcgee wrote:By the sound of your comments you have never been in a 'Sports Bar' have you. It's not gentlefolk sitting down with a cup of tea watching and applauding good matchplay but a bunch of drunken arsehOles, shouting, swearing and fighting after their half of shandy!! Good Luck!
I’ve not been to the pub in years due to the rude landlord and boring atmosphere. The new sports bar will be a fantastic new addition to our town. It sounds like the Landlords have been treated rather badly but I’m sure they will be probably offered opportunities to utilise their skills elsewhere. I believe the sports bar will attract far more business. Looking forward to it Punch. Hopefully the refurbishment will be complete before the British Open Golf Championship begins!
lemon demon
says...
7:17am Fri 21 Jan 11
DaveMcgee wrote:if you like sports so much then go buy a hd tv and watch it at home! i go the pub to drink with friends, have a chat and listen to a bit of music in the background :-) i don't go there to watch over payed idiots play sport!!
I’ve not been to the pub in years due to the rude landlord and boring atmosphere. The new sports bar will be a fantastic new addition to our town. It sounds like the Landlords have been treated rather badly but I’m sure they will be probably offered opportunities to utilise their skills elsewhere. I believe the sports bar will attract far more business. Looking forward to it Punch. Hopefully the refurbishment will be complete before the British Open Golf Championship begins!
DaveMcgee
says...
10:31am Fri 21 Jan 11
Yes that is a good suggestion, however as most people may know you cannot beat the atmosphere of a pub when exciting sporting events are televised. Can you imagine how good the 2012 Olympics are going to be when it’s televised in our new sports bar?
I’m sure the new development will have areas where you can enjoy socialising with your friends and listening to good music and let’s face it, the pub hasn’t changed in years! The landlord’s as unwelcoming as you can imaging a prison guard probably is and the place needs a fresh, NEW lease of life!
BazzaH
says...
1:47pm Fri 21 Jan 11
Change seems to scare everyone but its not always a bad thing. If the pub attract enough people it may also produce an opportunity for a few more local jobs.
bob64
says...
2:54pm Fri 21 Jan 11
Currently the pub is dismal, with dirty, torn and aging fittings & decoration.
Barras will defintely be a step up, we are privileged that Punch want to invest in our local and make it a winner when so many pubs are closing down.
Looking at the menus for other Barras pubs, it will be good food at good prices - we wont lose that aspect - my main reason for going.
Its touching that a handful of regulars want to support the Broadbents - who are being offered other work by Punch. But personally I will be happy to see it revamped and I am sure the majority of customers will feel the same.
lemon demon
says...
9:08am Sat 22 Jan 11
thesouthendone
says...
11:27am Sat 22 Jan 11
what a stirling bunch in the photo :-)
ShipShape says...
5:15pm Thu 20 Jan 11
In other words- Shut up and lump it..
Great attitude by this faceless company.