The Bridge at Napton

[mrsmelly]

8 minutes ago, ianali said:

I'd add that the pub owner has a huge part to play in its success. My local was packed under the old gaffer. It took the new owner about 3 months to close it down. It's not easy running a successful pub.

Ian.

Yep and that's why we were always very busy  I got told early on you are " On stage " when on the bar and we used to have great times with some of the locals that brought others in. Trouble is today that isn't as important as food as pubs are getting more and more like cafes/restaurants which is a very big shame. I always never let kids in under 18 or in our bedrooms and that caused us to be very busy as people new we were the only place for miles with no squaking babies in!! it realy is that simple, there are plenty of plastic pubs for families to utilise.

[MtB]

41 minutes ago, john6767 said:

I don't disagree with that, but one thing I think it is worth adding.  The Kings Head just up the road is very busy all year round and days of the week.  I don't believe that it is nearer to housing as the car park is usually full to overflowing, so people are driving there not walking round to the local pub.  The big difference is that the Kings Head is now quite smart and focuses a lot on food, and is as much a restaurant as a pub really.  The majority of thriving pubs have gone down this route.

 

Yes its very similar in a lot of respects to The Bridge, although it is arguably in long walking distance from Calcutt Marina. illustrates that a pub CAN be successful in an isolated position on a fast main road. 

[Dr Bob]

6 minutes ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

 

Yes its very similar in a lot of respects to The Bridge, although it is arguably in long walking distance from Calcutt Marina. illustrates that a pub CAN be successful in an isolated position on a fast main road. 

It's  only 30mph! It's now our nearest pub but I agree with John that it is smart and focusses on decent food - rather than plated food (although some of it may be!). Being on a 'fast' road it is easy to find and get to - rather than the location of the Folly - so I guess it is a go to place for those seeking good restraunt type food. The beer is also well kept. There are quite a few locals who are within walking distance or frequent it on the way home.

[twbm]

17 hours ago, mrsmelly said:

Very true. You also get Joe Public saying rubbish like " I can buy that for less than a quid at Tescos!! Well go and sit in the aisle at Tescos says I.  Many people have absolutely no idea where the money comes from to pay large running costs and wages for the owners/managers etc who aren't there working all day for the good of their health, many of these same people of course earn more than the bloke in the pub serving them does but that doesn't count  

Yep.  Local supermarkets sell some drinks at lower prices than our wholesalers as loss leaders to get people in. They thus encourage the pre-drinking culture. We're a fizzy beer outlet in a town centre environment with trade actually increasing against the main trend but are sometimes in the position of having to refuse to serve folk who have just got out of the taxi at the front door 'cause their already pissed. The supermarkets are however never taken to task for any drink related incidents by the police or council as they can maintain a safe distance from the consequences of their discounted alcohol prices. 

Anyhoo ... you're also right about the landlord and/or staff being able to make or break a place in a few days. We've been through a patch where we had an employee who wasn't a 'good fit' in the place - we got stopped in the street by regulars apologising for not coming in but also saying they weren't going to until he went. We now, by happy accident, have a superb team and the reverse applies. 

Several remarks about driving to pubs. My kids are in their thirties - traditionally an age where they maybe have some disposable income. When I was that age we would drive out for a few pints, my kids and their mates absolutely won't, so if there's no other attraction like exceptional food,  am exceptionally genial host ambiance or a beauty spot nearby, that trade has gone, and has been decreasing for years. 

The 'sell real ale, keep it well and they will come' brigade are, well, just wrong.  We shift an average of around 8 Kegs of Fosters, 20 odd of other lagers and ciders and one cask of ale a week.    

    

Edited January 13, 2018 by twbm

[Athy]

7 minutes ago, twbm said:

Yep.  Local supermarkets sell some drinks at lower prices than our wholesalers as loss leaders to get people in. They thus encourage the pre-drinking culture.

    

Eh? People need to drink fluids and children often take some of their fluids in the form of a bottle of pop. I certainly did (Tizer was my favourite) but I didn't see it as a "pre-drinking culture". I'm not sure what you mean.

[mrsmelly]

10 minutes ago, Athy said:

Eh? People need to drink fluids and children often take some of their fluids in the form of a bottle of pop. I certainly did (Tizer was my favourite) but I didn't see it as a "pre-drinking culture". I'm not sure what you mean.

 Now we know you are kidding!!

[Athy]

8 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

 Now we know you are kidding!!

No, I seek enlightenment.

[mrsmelly]

6 minutes ago, Athy said:

No, I seek enlightenment.

Supermarkets sell alcohol cheaper than TIED pubs can buy it at. People buy it and early evening with mates at home get pissed, they then go to the pubs tanked up and he licensee can either not serve them ( hassle ) or serve them and accept the consequences ( hassle )  Proper off licences years ago didn't sell cheap alcohol so the problem didn't arise.

[Athy]

3 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

Supermarkets sell alcohol cheaper than TIED pubs can buy it at. People buy it and early evening with mates at home get pissed, they then go to the pubs tanked up and he licensee can either not serve them ( hassle ) or serve them and accept the consequences ( hassle )  Proper off licences years ago didn't sell cheap alcohol so the problem didn't arise.

Yes, but you said "pre-drinking" culture, which I assume means consumption of soft drinks by those too young to drink beer.

[mrsmelly]

5 minutes ago, Athy said:

Yes, but you said "pre-drinking" culture, which I assume means consumption of soft drinks by those too young to drink beer.

Pre drinking culture is the term used for people ( of any age ) that drink alcohol before going to pubs to save them money on their evening out!!

[Boat&Bikes]

7 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

Supermarkets sell alcohol cheaper than TIED pubs can buy it at. People buy it and early evening with mates at home get pissed, they then go to the pubs tanked up and he licensee can either not serve them ( hassle ) or serve them and accept the consequences ( hassle )  Proper off licences years ago didn't sell cheap alcohol so the problem didn't arise.

Or. People buy alcohol at a price they can afford, have  pre going out drinks and chat prior to going to a pub/club to socialise without needing to spend an outrageous amount on their drinks. This was how my kids explained it to me. It makes sense.

Ian.

[Athy]

6 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

Pre drinking culture is the term used for people ( of any age ) that drink alcohol before going to pubs to save them money on their evening out!!

It's not a very good expression, as it does not accurately define its meaning. "Pre-drinking" means "before drinking", whereas the sense which you cite means actually drinking. "Pre-pub drinking" might be more acceptable.

I'm not blaming you, as I don't suppose it is your own invention.

Edited January 13, 2018 by Athy

[mrsmelly]

6 minutes ago, ianali said:

Or. People buy alcohol at a price they can afford, have  pre going out drinks and chat prior to going to a pub/club to socialise without needing to spend an outrageous amount on their drinks. This was how my kids explained it to me. It makes sense.

Ian.

But kids get pissed and sometimes are hassle. I have several ways of experiencing this one way because I once was a kid, secondly as a police officer and thirdly as a publican so Quite a cross section of personal experience. The amount spent in pubs is not outrageous it is the amount needed to maintain the business.

4 minutes ago, Athy said:

It's not a very good expression, as it does not accurately define its meaning. "Pre-drinking" means "before drinking", whereas the sense which you cite means actually drinking. "Pre-pub drinking" might be more acceptable.

It wasn't me who first used the expression. Problem is the bloke who first used it like me thought everyone knew that's the term used.

[Athy]

4 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

.

It wasn't me who first used the expression. Problem is the bloke who first used it like me thought everyone knew that's the term used.

I didn't, so thank you for teaching it to me (and doubtless to many others who hadn't heard of it before).

It is, however, a silly and misleading expression. If you follow its logic, if you go for a walk "pre-lunch" that means you've had lunch already, which is ludicrous, unless you are (were) Arnold Goodman..

[Boat&Bikes]

14 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

But kids get pissed and sometimes are hassle. I have several ways of experiencing this one way because I once was a kid, secondly as a police officer and thirdly as a publican so Quite a cross section of personal experience. The amount spent in pubs is not outrageous it is the amount needed to maintain the business.

It wasn't me who first used the expression. Problem is the bloke who first used it like me thought everyone knew that's the term used.

Yes I know kids get pissed, some adults too I believe. Some kids don't cause hassle you know! I'm not having a go at publican over the cost of their drinks. However both my kids went to uni so had to stretch their funds whilst not missing out on the fun. If you have say £50 a week for going out that's not going to go very far is it.

Ian.

Edited January 13, 2018 by ianali

[mrsmelly]

5 minutes ago, ianali said:

Yes I know kids get passed, some adults too I believe. Some kids don't cause hassle you know! I'm not having a go at publican over the cost of their drinks. However both my kids went to uni so had to stretch their funds whilst not missing out on the fun. If you have say £50 a week for going out that's not going to go very far is it.

Ian.

Don't get me going about going to UNI!! poor kids like lambs to the slaughter. Only one of my kids did the school to uni way, two of the others started work and have done degrees much later in life when they already had good jobs and could afford to pay for their education ( One did an open uni course at her own expense over 7 years at great cost ) the nhs is paying for the other because they wanted to keep her due to her work experience. Kids are being sold down the river with this must go to uni culture with often nothing at the end of it. I advise my grandkids to learn a trade or start a business unless of course by law they have to get a uni degree such as say a vet for instance which my niece did. My sisters lad who was very academic didn't go to uni he started a business aged 18 and at 21 with three years books a building society gave him a mortgage with no hassle. So aged 21 no student debt and buying his own property ( if that's what you want to do )

[Boat&Bikes]

5 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

Don't get me going about going to UNI!! poor kids like lambs to the slaughter. Only one of my kids did the school to uni way, two of the others started work and have done degrees much later in life when they already had good jobs and could afford to pay for their education ( One did an open uni course at her own expense over 7 years at great cost ) the nhs is paying for the other because they wanted to keep her due to her work experience. Kids are being sold down the river with this must go to uni culture with often nothing at the end of it. I advise my grandkids to learn a trade or start a business unless of course by law they have to get a uni degree such as say a vet for instance which my niece did. My sisters lad who was very academic didn't go to uni he started a business aged 18 and at 21 with three years books a building society gave him a mortgage with no hassle. So aged 21 no student debt and buying his own property ( if that's what you want to do )

Yes I've read your views on uni before. I don't share them.

Ian.

[mrsmelly]

12 minutes ago, ianali said:

Yes I've read your views on uni before. I don't share them.

Ian.

That's what makes the forum so good  so do you think fifty percent of kids should go to uni when there are far less than fifty percent of them getting any genuine benefit out of it except a debt round their necks and the govnmnt being able to show on their figures less youngsters unemployed? Do you think my sisters lad should have gone to uni and now be in debt or buying his own house?. My youngest daughter started work as office junior at 18 is now middle management with ten years mortgage paid off and a good pension being accrued is this not better than uni/ she has done a degree off her own back later in her life. My 38 year old daughter is doing a mental health nursing degree bringing huge child welfare experience to the job she didn't go to uni from school? Uni for unis sake is a load of bunkum and a great problem for many kids.

Edited January 13, 2018 by mrsmelly

[Boat&Bikes]

8 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

That's what makes the forum so good  so do you think fifty percent of kids should go to uni when there are far less than fifty percent of them getting any genuine benefit out of it except a debt round their necks and the govnmnt being able to show on their figures less youngsters unemployed? Do you think my sisters lad should have gone to uni and now be in debt or buying his own house?. My youngest daughter started work as office junior at 18 is now middle management with ten years mortgage paid off and a good pension being accrued is this not better than uni/ she has done a degree off her own back later in her life. My 38 year old daughter is doing a mental health nursing degree bringing huge child welfare experience to the job she didn't go to uni from school? Uni for unis sake is a load of bunkum and a great problem for many kids.

I agree that some people go to uni who possibly shouldn't. That has to be their choice though! I left school at 16, apprenticeship, then started my own business. It's been a splendid life so far. I did envy my kids time at uni though, they had such an amazing time. Learnt so much, made lifelong friends from around the globe. The debt part isnt really a worry to them as the repayments are so small relative to earnings. Its brilliant that we can disagree over this yet are safe in the knowledge that the children close to us are doing well.

Ian.

[mrsmelly]

27 minutes ago, ianali said:

I agree that some people go to uni who possibly shouldn't. That has to be their choice though! I left school at 16, apprenticeship, then started my own business. It's been a splendid life so far. I did envy my kids time at uni though, they had such an amazing time. Learnt so much, made lifelong friends from around the globe. The debt part isnt really a worry to them as the repayments are so small relative to earnings. Its brilliant that we can disagree over this yet are safe in the knowledge that the children close to us are doing well.

Ian.

Spot on

[john6767]

5 hours ago, Dr Bob said:

It's  only 30mph! It's now our nearest pub but I agree with John that it is smart and focusses on decent food - rather than plated food (although some of it may be!). Being on a 'fast' road it is easy to find and get to - rather than the location of the Folly - so I guess it is a go to place for those seeking good restraunt type food. The beer is also well kept. There are quite a few locals who are within walking distance or frequent it on the way home.

I don’t count anywhere was walkable from Calcutt, one of the marina’s disadvantages.  I would say last year we ate 4 times in the Kings Head usually when we have got to the boat late in an evening and going to spend the night in the marina before going out.  The majority of people in the Kings head are there to eat, but there are usually a few boaters at the bar drinking, and the beer is fine.  So far the staff have been very good at finding us a table when we turn up without a booking, so for me they are doing a lot right.   It would have taken a lot of effort and cash to bring the Bridge up to that standard, but if it had been I don’t doubt that it could have competed, but in the state that it was, it was left with picking up the scraps of custom from mainly the canal, so not a viable year round business in my opinion.  It is no surprise that each of the people who took on the Bridge in the last 5 years failed, and we are now left with the current result.

Edited January 13, 2018 by john6767

[Athy]

10 minutes ago, john6767 said:

  It is no surprise that each of the people who took on the Bridge in the last 5 years failed, and we are now left with the current result.

From memory, one of them suffered from acute bad manners (not the one who was in charge during our 2016 visit) which can't have helped trade.

[Boat&Bikes]

20 minutes ago, Athy said:

From memory, one of them suffered from acute bad manners (not the one who was in charge during our 2016 visit) which can't have helped trade.

Probably a member of this forum then ...

Ian.

[john6767]

31 minutes ago, Athy said:

From memory, one of them suffered from acute bad manners (not the one who was in charge during our 2016 visit) which can't have helped trade.

That may have been the case, but I would suggest the even the best landlord would not have been able to make a success without the spend on the infrastructure of the building to make it more of a place that people would travel to for a meal.

[Athy]

40 minutes ago, ianali said:

Probably a member of this forum then ...

Ian.

Absolutely correct, she did join for a while, yes.

24 minutes ago, john6767 said:

That may have been the case, but I would suggest the even the best landlord would not have been able to make a success without the spend on the infrastructure of the building to make it more of a place that people would travel to for a meal.

I remember it as being attractive and welcoming inside, but then we were in there for only about an hour. What do you consider was wrong with it? One earlier poster suggests that a good landlord CAN be the difference between success and failure.

I see that in 2012 The Bridge and The Wharf at Fenny wer ebusiness associates, odd that The Wharf is busy and thriving and The Bridge is empty and dark.

Edited January 13, 2018 by Athy