BRANCH NEWS ARCHIVE - 2010

The Lion at 27 Wick Rd, Teddington was closed on the 22nd, 'for an indefinite period' according to the notice pinned to the door by John Brandon. He wishes the neighbourhood and the Lion all the best for the future.

Andy Knight has left The Queen Dowager at 49 North Lane, Teddington, and Youngs have put in a relief manager.

It has been reported that the licence application for the Royal Horse Guardsman at 23 Ealing Rd , Breentford, has been agreed today. All being well the pub should be opening on Wednesday 8th Dec.

The Waggon & Horses by Kew Bridge, opposite the Express, is boarded up. This has sadly been on the cards for a couple of years - the redevelopment plans for the area include knocking it down and then building a new Fullers pub on the riverbank to replace it.

The guest beer at the Kings Head, Teddington is Twickenham Naked Ladies. The regular cask ales are Doombar and London Pride. All are priced at 320p a pint.

The Bloated Mallard, 3 Victoria Rd, Teddington, is now only selling Twickenham beers. Currently Naked Ladies and Grandstand.

The County Arms at 2 Hall Road, Isleworth, TW7 7PQ, has been closed and now boarded up.

The refurbishment of the Magpie & Crown in Brentford continues. The pub now has eight new hand-pumps.

The Masons Arms, Teddington has added a forth hand-pump.

For those of you interested in Hampton Wick History there is to be a show at St John's Church, Hampton Wick on Saturday 13th November, 3.30pm till 8pm. This will include a series of short 10 minute talks starting at 4.45pm, one talk will be on the subject of the Pubs of Hampton Wick. Entry £1 (50p for HWA members and concessions).

The Fox in Twickenham will be closing for 3 months for definitive refurbishment in the spring 2011. See Planning Application 10/2559/FUL

Note: Planning Application Number: 10/2559/FUL was refused permission 20th Dec 2010.

The Coach & Horses (Youngs), 183 London Rd Isleworth, is currently closed for refurbishment.

The Windmill, 80 Windmill Rd, Hampton has replaced Green King IPA with Wadworths 6x. Other beers are Youngs and Bass.

The new owner of the Royal Horse Guardsman in Brentford has started returning the property back into a pub, which has been closed for a number of years. The ground floor - once two rooms, and before that two rooms plus a "jug & bottle" - is now one room, and while the bar is going to be all-new. In the process they've uncovered some older (Victorian?) features, including dark brown wall tiles, and two cast iron fireplaces, but painted to look like wood. He's putting the old brass light fittings back too. Due to reopen 8th December (revised date)..

Read item in the Hounslow Chronical:
"Piers Morgan lookalike re-opens Brentford pub".

Horse & Groom, Uxbridge Rd. Hanworth has been up for sale for many months and is now closed and boarded up.

The Cross Lances in Hounslow has a new and enthusiastic Tenant, who has made considerable changes bringing back the traditions of a good pub and has seen an increase in trade. A weekly guest beer is being introduced, currently ESB and next week will be Lancaster Amber. This is good news for real ale and traditional pubs which are increasingly hard to find in Hounslow.

The Lass O' Richmond Hill has reopened on Tuesday 28th Sept. The pub is displaying a banner "Young's welcome you to the Lass O' Richmond Hill".

Planning permission has been granted for the refurbishment and change of use of the Pottery Arms, Clayponds Lane, Brentford. This pub has been vacant for a number of years. The redevelopment will include the erection of a new building to provide 2 x 3 bedroom houses (within the public house) and 2 x 4 bedroom houses (new build) including on-site parking.

Beers from Twickenham Fine Ales will be some Young’s pubs for the next two weeks (18th Sept to 3rd Oct) while they run a beer festival. See TFA website for more details. www.twickenham-fine-ales.co.uk

Conversion of The Railway Inn, 127 Station Road, Hampton, TW12 2AL to 4 dwellings (3x2bed flats & 1x1bed flat) was granted permission on 14th July 2010. See Planning Application 10/0013/FUL.

Fullers are advertising an Open Day & Street Party on Saturday 25th September - 11am to 3pm - at Fuller's Griffin Brewery, Chiswick Lane South. W4 2QB. Free brewery tours, Dray horse cart rides, beer and wine tasting, live music and food.

The Twickenham Tup is currently closed and being refurbished. It is due to reopen on the 22nd September as the Royal Oak, with a special opening night on Friday 24th.

Noble Green Wines are having a one day beer festival on Saturday 16th October, at Noble Green Wines, 153-155 High Street, Hampton Hill.

The newly refurbished King's Head, Teddington, is set to fully open on the 20th September. The pub part of this 'gastro-pub' appears to be where the original restaurant section was, at the front. Six handpumps can be seen. Looking at the menu, the cask beers are: London Pride, Sharp's Doombar, and a Twickenham ale.
www.whitebrasserie.com

The Noble Green Wines company are advertising a beer festival to showcase the cask ales that they have featured in the last year. The proposed date is Saturday October 16th 2010 and they are in the process of finalising a venue. Further details will be available on www.noblegreenwines.co.uk or call (020) 8979 1113. They have not yet finalised the venue so please hold off telephoning for a while.

The plan is to put on beers from Twickenham Fine Ales, Triple fff, Welton’s, Dark Star, Hopdaemon, Surrey Hills, and some local microbreweries.

The Lass O' Richmond Hill at 8 Queens Rd. Richmond is currently closed. Because Richmond Council demanded the property be marketed as a pub for a year before granting 'change of use' the new owners (at great loss), have sold out to the Young's pub company.

Raymond Blanc has launched a chain of brasserie-style pubs under new arm the White Brasserie Company. Each venue is currently benefiting from an £800,000 refurbishment with the Queen's Head in Weybridge, Surrey, opening at the end of August, and the King's Head in Teddington opening in September.

From CityAM paper:
"The private equity firm behind Brasserie Blank, Core Capital, said it will launch the White Brasserie Company which will focus on gastropubs."

Reports from Brentford:
The New Inn, Ealing Road has been under new management since January. The former landlord Noel had planned to retire but instead got bored and has now bought the Royal Horseguardsman at 23 Ealing Rd from the former landlady. Apparently she has ripped the bar out because she didn't want to pay business rates anymore. He is planning to re-instate it as a pub.

The Princess Royal's lease from Fullers runs out in December 2010 and the football club has decided not to renew it. There’s currently an interim manager looking after things until December. On a recent visit the beer was undrinkable but no one behind the bar knew how to change the cask.

The Magpie & Crown at Brentford now has a new Tenant. The new landlady Tam Burns plans to continue the real ales as she likes them herself and also intends to get in some wheatbeers. She is hoping to continue the real cider & perry. The kitchen is due a refit, and she plans to replace the Thai food with more traditional pub food. See item in the Hounslow Chronicle:
"Meet the Magpie and Crown's new landlady"

The Mulberry at 65 Richmond Rd, Twickenham has a notice on the window indicating that staff required - Steak House opening soon.

The planning application to convert The Railway at Hampton Wick into a private dwelling was refused at last night's public council meeting. It failed on two grounds: the committee did not want to agree to a change-of-use from commercial to residential premises and the proposed dwelling would not have been multiple occupancy i.e flats.

All three of the speakers (John Austin (CAMRA), Thomas Correia (Hampton Wick Association), and Ray Sutcliffe (long time local and user of the pub) spoke eloquently and with considerable insight into what The Railway meant as a local community asset and their contributions were crucial to the committee's unanimous decision to vote down the application.

It is unlikely that this is the end of the story as the Dutton-Wallers are likely to appeal. Having said that, the committee did say that they will not consider an appeal. As the D-Ws are now liable for business rates on the downstairs part of the premises - these were frozen after intervention by Business Secretary and local MP Vince Cable - and other expenses associated with commercial premises, it's possible the D-Ws may decide to sell. Should an interested party be interested, it would be possible that The Railway may reopen as a pub.

Picture taken March 2010

Richmond planning committee will hold a public meeting over the conversion of the Railway at Hampton Wick to a single family dwelling on the 29th July. The planning officer has recommended refusal for the Railway to be allowed change of use. However, this could be overturned so support is needed. Find out more on the Richmond Council web site. Planning Application Number: 10/0593/COU

A TESCO Express store will be opening on 28th July at 8pm (open 7am-11pm). it was previously the Red Lion, 166 Heath Rd, Twickenham.

Planning application for change of use to a restaurant for the Blue Ginger Bar (previously the South Western), 158 Whitton Rd, Hounslow has been granted by Hounslow Council on the 26th June.

Long standing licensees Alex and Debbie Gibson of the White Cross, Richmond have decided to move on and hand over to David and Julie Gibson.

The Tide End, Ferry Rd, Teddington is under new management from last week.

Noble Green Wines at Hampton Hill have now installed a cooler system for their range of cask ales. For sale this w/e were Twickenham Grandstand @£2.09/pt, Dark Star Summer Meltdown @£2.09/pt, and fff Alton's Pale Ale @£2.19/pt.

The Cardinal Wolsey, The Green, Hampton Court Rd is now under new management.

The land that The Longford, 92 High St. Hampton Hill occupies is up for sale by Rightmoves for £625,000.

Advertised as a "vacant three storey building of period construction with a ground floor bar and restaurant of about 278.71 m2 (3,000 ft2). It has a fully fitted commercial kitchen. The upper floors provide residential accommodation currently arranged as bedsits (9 rooms, 2 separate WCs, 2 shower rooms, kitchen, bathroom and living room). The building has permission for a bar/restaurant & residential building. (Development potential subject to planning). An investment opportunity which must be sold before 14th July 2010. Cash Purchasers only."

Four city professionals have bought the Freehold of the White Swan in Twickenham 3 months ago. The pub is a Grade II listed building previously owned by Enterprise Inns who had acquired the riverside pub as part of the Unique Pub Company estate which Enterprise had purchased in 2004. The sale was a consequence of the recent Enterprise Inns auctions.

Kris Gumbrell, of Convivial Pub Company, has been appointed to operate the pub under a management contract on behalf of the investors. The pub offers customers a range of real ales together with a choice of good quality home cooked food.

The White Swan is known to have been in existence since 1714 and is probably the oldest pub in Twickenham. The outlet was first owned by Cole and Co brewers of Twickenham, and was subsequently acquired by Brandons Putney Brewery Ltd and Watney & Co., before being sold to Enterprise Inns as part of the Unique Estate.

The Lass O' Richmond Hill, 8 Queens Rd. Richmond. The following information was gleaned from a chat with one of the bar staff. Apparently the planning application for change of use was rejected by Richmond Planning Dept. because the business was not sufficiently marketed. The pub is still trading under Punch Tavern's ownership (cash only, and running down stocks). The pub is in the process of being sold to new independent owners who are expected to take control in August.

Green King who owns the Railway Hotel, 127 Station Rd, Hampton, has put this large imposing property up for sale to property developers. The pub is still open under a holding manager.

The White Swan, Riverside, Twickenham, has reopened after a controversial refurbishment that has prompted a letter to the local paper.

Twickenham Tup, 13 Richmond Rd, is to close in August for a refurbishment and will reopen as The Royal Oak (its original name). The Red Lion at 166 Heath Rd should be opening as a TESCO store in July. The Marble Hill (ex Rising Sun), 277 Richmond Rd is under new management.

The Masons Arms, 41 Walpole Rd, Teddington, is now selling real cider.

Redevelopment work is underway on the Waldegrave Arms, 209 Waldegrave Rd, and the Kings Head, 123 High St. Teddington is getting a significant refurbishment to be part of the Raymond Blanc restaurant chain.

A second planning application for a change to residential use for The Lass O' Richmond Hill, 8 Queens Rd. Richmond, TW10 6JJ, has been submitted. 10/1184/FUL - Convert existing Public House into 4 no. flats (2 x 1-bed and 2 x 2-bed). A decision has been issued by the authority and application withdrawn by the applicant 22/06/2010.

On the 11th May Richmond's Planning Committee approved the application [10/0076/FUL] to redevelop the The Shakespeare, Lower Richmond Road, Richmond, TW9 4PL. This Young's pub will be replaced by 9 one and two bed flats, through conversion of existing building and part 2, 3 and 4 storey development.

The demise of The Railway was given prominence in this weeks issue of the Richmond & Twickenham Times.
See news story: Calling time on tradition.

The planning application for a change of use can be seen on the Richmond Council's website - 10/0593/COU.

The Lass O' Richmond Hill, 8 Queens Rd. Richmond. A planning application (10/1185/CAC - Conservation Area Consent) has been submitted. Internal works and alterations to convert existing public house (a4/a3) into 4 flats (2 x 1-bed and 2 x 2-bed) with associated parking and new access off stafford place. Demolition of existing 1990s s/s extension at rear of pub.

The Royal Horse Guardsman, 23 Ealing Road, Brentford, TW8 0JU, that has been closed for approx. 3 years is up for auction. It is advertised as "Development Opportunity (STSC)" (subject to statutory consents), and is for sale through Athawes with a guide price of £310,000-plus.

The transfer of the Mason's Arms, 41 Walpole Rd, Teddington to Terry Himpfen's ownership has been completed and after a good clean-up inside it reopened at 6.00pm on Saturday (1st May). The beers on sale are Itchen Valley Five Hops and Sharp's Own Ale.

The Kings Head (L'Auberge), 123 High St, Teddington closed on 9th May for remodeling as it has been taken over from the administrator of the Massive Pub Co by the Raymond Blanc restaurant chain. Planning permission has yet to be granted.

The Red Cow at Sheen Road, Richmond is holding a Beer Festival. April 22nd to 25th. A pub first!

Cast beers (and two ciders) expected to be available over the four days are:

The White Bear a de-branded Fullers pub at 198 Kingsley Road, Hounslow, TW3 4AR, has now reopened under a new three-man partnership.

The Jolly Farmer at 177, Lampton Rd, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW3 4EZ, has been closed since before Christmas 2009. It now displays 'To Let' sign, not a 'For Sale', so we can only presume Enterprise are prepared to have someone take on the tenancy and run it as a restaurant, rather than a pub.

Black Horse at 203 Lampton Rd. Hounslow, TW3 4EZ - the beer is now Young's Bitter instead of Courage.

The Bulstrode at 55 Lampton Rd. Hounslow, TW3 1JG - 2 regular beers: Wells Bombardier and Young's Bitter; a third handpump for an 'occasional' guest beer was last used for Adnams Bitter.

The Greyhound at 82 Kew Green, Richmond, TW9 3AP has reopened under the old management again.

Our AGM will take place in the garden room at the Roebuck, 72 Hampton Rd. Hampton Hill, TW12 1JN on Thursday 22nd of April at 8pm. All welcome! Please read the AGM Agenda and minutes (PDF files). To download the latest Acrobat Reader, visit the Adobe website.

On the www.newballerino.co.uk web site there is a list of Pubs sold. These include, Blue Ginger Bar, 156/158 Whitton Rd, Hounslow, and the Red Lion, 166 Heath Rd, Twickenham.

The Railway Tavern at Hampton Wick is to close its doors after closing time on March 24th. The property has been sold by Enterprise Inns, not to a property developer but someone who what to make it a family home. Believed to have changed hands for £340k.

The planning application for a change of use can be seen on the Richmond Council's website - 10/0593/COU
Judging by the letter already received the pub looks doomed!

A news item from 2004 that put the pub on the map; "Popular landlord on run from FBI is put behind bars"

Another Enterprise Inns pub has also been sold. The Mason Arms, 41 Walpole Rd, Teddington has been bought by Terry Himpfen and Rae (of the Roebuck, Hampton Hill), who will take over the pub from Don Crowley next Friday 26th March, and run it as a free house.

The Greyhound, 82, Kew Green, Richmond upon Thames, is reported to have now re-opened.

The Teddington Arms are planning a Spring Beer Festival on April 15-18th.

The focus is on local breweries so the likes of Twickenham, Ascot, Hogs Back, Sambrook's, Surrey Hills etc, and obviously all their spring ale offerings. They will have two casks beers, and real cider on the bar plus festival food such as pies and scotch eggs and the like.

Six Bells, 148 High Street, Brentford. This Fullers pub has been closed for refurbishment recently, and reopened on Friday 19th February 2010. David & Rachel Cameron are the new licenses'.

The Shakespeare, Lower Richmond Road, Richmond, TW9 4PL.
A new planning application [10/0076/FUL] has been submitted to redevelop the site. The pub will be replaced by 9 one and two bed flats, through conversion of existing building and part 2, 3 and 4 storey development. Current status of application is 3 (Initial Neighbourhood Notification). The previous application 09/0918/FUL was withdrawn by Young & Co on the 27th July 2009.

Add your Comment/Objection

The World's End, 88 Station Road, Hampton, TW12 2AX is holding a February Ale Sale, with up to 20% off until the end of the month.
See poster for more details (841kb PDF).

The lease is up for sale on The Royal Oak, Ham Street, Ham, TW10 7HN by Enterprise Inns.

Good news! - The Railway Tavern, 91 High St, Hampton Wick, has a new tenant. Shay Tierney who took over the pub from the 14th Jan has London Pride on sale (in excellent condition when sampled today), and is considering adding another beer in due course. The pub has been up for sale by Enterprise for sometime and has only been kept open by a caretaker landlord until now. The 'for sale' board is expected to be removed soon.

The new holding manager (Phil Oliver) of the Magpie and Crown, in Brentford, has said that the foreign draught beers are staying, and the only changes he expects in the beer ranges are that Wellington is going to replace Fosters with Fosters Extra Cold (!), and also a John Smiths Smooth on tap (!!), he was sceptical about the likelihood of the latter selling:) Also, Courage Best to be added to the ale range.

The price of the beer has gone up, and there's no real cider or perry. The bar billiards table has gone, to be replaced by another pool table. The GBG stickers are still up in the window.

The Red Lion, 166 Heath Rd, Twickenham is now closed and up for sale on the open market. Enterprise Inns have denied that it has been sold to Tesco. The current pub licence holders have now moved to the Twickenham Tup, in 13 Richmond Rd, taking the McNasties live music nights with them. It is anticipated the Twickenham Tup may be renamed the Red Lion. See Richmond & Twickenham Times.

The Bear, 26/28 York St, Twickenham is under new management.

There are reports that The Fox, 39 Church St, Twickenham is likely to change hands again soon too.

Six Bells, 318 High St. Brentford, TW8 8EW, closed on 30th Oct 2009 when the landlady retired. The pub is currently being refurbished by Fullers and will hopefully opening soon with a new tenant.

We start the year with sad news.

The tenant of the Magpie and Crown, in Brentford, Steve Bolton, has said that negotiations over the lease have broken down irretrievably. Apparently the last offer was rejected by the freeholders. He expects his last day to be January 11th, which is doubly sad as the 4th was the 14th anniversary of his taking the pub over.

The Property Manager acting for The Wellington Pub Company confirmed that the Magpie will close for 'a few hours' and an interim management company will take over with assurances that the Magpie will continue to serve the regularly changing real ale for which it is renowned. See Brentford TW8.com - Magpie & Crown To Get New Landlord.