BRANCH NEWS ARCHIVE - 2011

The Railway Tavern in Hampton Wick. A new Planning Application
11/1596/FUL submitted on 18th May 2011 was granted permission on 5th Dec 2011 to convert the vacant commercial 'Public House' premises (Use Class A4: Drinking Establishments) to two self-contained flats (Use Class C3: Dwelling Houses).

A planning application from Crowton Properties Ltd. has been received (dated 16th Dec) by Richmond Council to demolition the Queen Dowager in Teddington and replace it with five 4 bed town houses. See Planning application 11/4041/FUL.

The Charlie Butler at 40 Mortlake High Street, Mortlake. This pub has been sold by Young's & Co. A Planning application to redevelop the site was submitted on the 24th Nov (11/3819/FUL) by Languard Investments Ltd who now own the pub. The Proposal: demolition of existing building. Change of use from Public House (drinking establishment - Class A4) to Residential (Class C3). Construction of residential block consisting of 9 apartments on 4 floors plus basement car parking.

The application decision date is 19th Jan 2012.

The pub is an important local amenity, and is the only real public meeting place in Mortlake now that the Railway Tavern has closed. Over the past year the new manager has improved the pub, following a series of temporary managers, when the pub was allowed to run down. It is vital that this pub continues to serve the local community. The full planning application can be found on the planning applications section of the London Borough or Richmond website, (see link above) and there is a form on the site where objections can be registered. The application as submitted by the developers includes several quite untrue statements.

More bad news:
The Duke of Wellington at 279 Staines Rd, Hounslow, may be closing down and redeveloped to becoming a Sainsbury's supermarket. See Planning Reference: 01054/279/P4

The lease of the Grand Union in Twickenham, (now renamed the Rugby Inn) is up for sale by Selsian Leisure Property Consultants. Pub currently closed.

DESCRIPTION - The demise is offered fully fitted, is arranged over basement to 2nd floors and has the benefit of a small rear garden. The basement provides cellarage / storage, on the ground is the main trading area whilst the first houses the kitchen, stores and WCs. The 2nd floor is a separately accessed 3 bedroom apartment which the client informs is currently let at £1,400 pcm. The property is held by way of a Scottish & Newcastle lease tied for beer & cider, for a term of 25 years (with 5 yearly reviews) from 30th October 2006 at a rent of £85,000 pa (£68,200 pa after income) pa. Our clients are seeking £50,000 excluding VAT for the fixtures and fittings in situ.

The Old Goat at 241 Hampton Rd, Twickenham, have expanded their real ale and cider range. They are also the exclusive distributer for the Bristol Beer Factory (independent brewery in Southville, Bristol).

Real ale has returned to the Royal Oak at 38 New Rd, Brentford.

The Garyowen at 68 London Road, Twickenham has been refurbished and renamed London Road.

The Fox in Church Steet, Twickenham, has now reopened after a major restoration. Six Real ales on hand pump. Regular beers are Pride, Doombar and Twickenham Naked Ladies + 3 guest. Food, Garden Bar and live music. Open Sun - Thur 9am to 11:30pm. Fri & Sat 9am to 12:30am.

However;
In Brentford the George & Dragon at 29 London Rd has closed.

The George & Dragon and Rose & Crown in Isleworth are up for auction on Tuesday.

In Twickenham;
The Garyowen (ex Rugby Tavern) at 68 London Road looks to be currently undergoing a makeover with a possible change of name as has the Grand Union at 11 London Rd. The pub has been painted grey/green and now called the Rugby Inn.

The Slingbacks, Rosslyn Park Ladies rugby team are holding their 4th annual beer festival on Saturday 3rd December, from 3pm till Midnight. See their Festival poster. Rosslyn Park FC, Priory Lane, Upper Richmond Road, SW15 5JH.

The Airman (Feltham) and the Green Man (Bedfont East) reopened on the 18th November. Both pubs are now part of the John Barras chain. Although the manager said the Airman has not been known as a real ale pub, two new hand pumps have been installed initially serving Pride and GK IPA, but the occasional guest beer will be tried. First impressions of the refurbishment are good, especially the large carpeted lounge area.

The Rising Sun at 29 High St, Hampton Hill, has converted the old changing rooms and garage at the rear the pub into a Garden Bar (Bar II). Although awaiting a license variation, on Friday 25th November, the night of the Hampton Hill Christmas Parade, they will holding a Preview Evening. The Garden Bar will be open to the public from 4pm till late.

Two pubs have closed and look to be undergoing a significant refurbishment; the Green Man, Green Man Lane, Hatton Cross, and The Airman at 1 Hanworth Rd, Feltham (due to reopen late November).

After a major refurbishment and transformation into a Fayre & Square family pub restaurant, the Winning Post on the Chertsey Rd, Whitton, officially reopened on the 29th Oct. Two hand pumps were serving Adnam's Bitter and GK IPA.

The Royal Albion, 58 Hibernia Road, Hounslow, is set to reopen just three months after it was closed down due to concerns over drugs. The pub will be allowed to open from noon to 11pm, Monday to Sunday. No real ale.

The Landlord of the General Roy at Poplar Way, Feltham, has recently changed the range of real ales served. Youngs Special and Bitter to be replaced by Ringwood 49er and Adnams Bitter.

Update: 28th Dec - "Still only Youngs Special at General Roy, with new beer range on hold".

A Planning application has been received by Richmond Council for the Shaftesbury Arms, Reference 11/3207/FUL for 119-121 Kew Road, Richmond.

The purpose of the proposal is to provide a new larger kitchen whilst also increasing trading area together with the relocation of the toilets to the first floor. The forming of the new front entrance into the bar is a reforming of an original opening which was present to the existing building before the pub was extended into No.119 Kew Road in 2000.

Work has started today to strip out all fixtures and fitting and de brand the Queen Dowager, Teddington - the swinging sign has now gone.

See item on local news site: Teddingtontown.

Some history of the pub:
A small village beer house has stood in North Lane, Teddington since at least 1747. It was previously called the Two Lawyers or Jolly Lawyers and was subsequently leased by Young & Bainbridge in 1860. It was rebuilt in 1906-7 but, like the Abercorn Arms, remained a beer house until it was granted a full licence in 1950. The pub was refurbished and extended in 2003. The former public bar was opened up to the main bar. The name commemorates Queen Adelaide, the widow of William IV.

The The Royal Oak at Ham is closed and boarded up. The freehold has been for sale by AG&G for some time and is described on the agents website as ‘under offer’.

The Freehold of the Duke of Wellington at 279 Staines Rd, Hounslow is for sale (AG&G - under offer).

Tim Scorer the long standing tenant of the Shaftesbury Arms (2012GBG) at 121/123 Kew Rd, Richmond, will be leaving the pub on the 23rd Oct. After which Young's will be closing the pub for a couple of months for a major refurbishment. When it reopens it will be run by a manager.

Also, Young’s have finally sold the Charlie Butler at 40 Mortlake High St, SW14, to a property developer. The pub is no longer listed on the youngs.co.uk website.

The Crown, 174 Richmond Rd, Twickenham is undergoing some external redecoration.

One Paradise Road, One, 1 Paradise Rd. Richmond, is still closed for refurbishment. No real ale.

Teddington to loose a pub. The Queen Dowager, at 49 North Lane, will be closing its doors for the last time at last orders on Saturday 1st Oct. There will be live music with 'Strata' from 8:30 pm and the merriment will continue until final closing. The pub has been sold by Young's & Co to a property developer. The licensees Shaun & Kathryn were given just 9 days notice to vacate the premises. They were disappointed by Young's decision as they had started to turn the pub around and had tripled turnover since taking on the pub on a three year tenancy from the 27th of July.

The newly refurbished Rifleman at 7 Fourth Cross Road, Twickenham, is holding a Beer, Cider and Sausage festival from the 1st- 6th of November to celebrate National Sausage Week. Grand re-opening and tasters of new menu take place on the 8th October.

Prince of Wales in Twickenham will be holding a Beer Festival this weekend - Fri 23rd to Sun 25th Sept. See poster for beer list

The Swan which is the last pub to remain open in Hanworth at 201 Swan Rd, has temporarily closed, so says a note on the door. Let hope so!

The Fox —the oldest pub in Twickenham— is to close on the 12th Sept for a £600,000 restoration. One of the changes will be to convert the upstairs function room into a kitchen. The pub run by Twickenham Taverns is expected to re-open on 24th Nov if all goes to plan.

The Barnes Beer and Food Showdown — The Red Lion at 2 Castelnau, Barnes, is hosting a beer and food evening on 14th October. Tickets to the event are available from The Red Lion Barnes at £25 per head. Please call Angus on 020 8748 2984 or email redlionbarnes@fullers.co.uk

Two local beer experts will be going head to head to persuade foodie customers who is the best beer matcher of them all.

Leading beer writer Melissa Cole and Chiswick brewery Fuller's Head Brewer John Keeling have been challenged by The Red Lion's managers Angus Mckean & Claire Morgan to match beers to a specially created menu. Both choices will then be served on the night with customers voting on their favourite match. Neither John nor Melissa will be aware of the other's choices.

Angus and Melissa have put together a mouth-watering (and belt-busting) six course menu including oysters steeped in Belgian lambic beer, sweet potato and yam baskets with slow roast pork belly in plum sauce and pear tarte tatin with homemade Fuller's Past Masters Double Stout ice cream. You'll have to buy a ticket to find out the beer matches suggested by John and Melissa.

Noble Green Wines at 153-155 High Street, Hampton Hill are holding a Beer Festival on the 10th September, 12.30 to 6pm. Confirmed attendees for the event are: Freedom Brewery, Sambrooks, Windsor & Eton, and Hog’s Back Brewery

Reported in the The Telegraph today: The word “gastropub” has been banned by The Good Food Guide because it is too commonly used. The word will be dropped from the new 2012 edition and all future editions of the popular guide.

Read full story and peoples comments
Gastropubs become a thing of the past

Sammy's American Bar & Grill at 172 High Street, Teddington, has reopened after their summer break.

The Orange Tree (Young's) at 45 Kew Rd, Richmond, TW9 2NQ, is currently closed for refurbishment and should reopen again in time for the start of the Rugby World Cup (9th Sept). On a dedicated website www.orangeischanging.com it says “We‘re adding an exciting range of craft ales...”

The Botanist at 3/5 Kew Green will be soon offering its own range of beers - all brewed on the premises. Work is currently progressing with the refurbishment to the pub and installation of the brewery kit. The pub is to be renamed the Botanist Brewery and Kitchen and should re-open Thursday (1st Sept). Beers should be on sale in approximately two weeks. There will be a core range of nine beers, with two of these - the IPA and traditional bitter - available throughout the year, while others will be seasonal. In addition, there will be some specials, such as a 'Kew'pid Beer for Valentine's Day or a Pumpkin Beer for Halloween. It is hoped that up to seven of the range will be ready to sample when the new beers are launched in September.

Mark, who has been manager at the pub for 18 months, trained at the Blueball Brewery in Runcorn, and their experience will continue to be on hand as consultants on the venture.
The Botanist is part of Convivial London Pub Company

The Railway Bar and dining Room (Hall & Woodhouse) at 11 Sheen Lane, SW14 8HY has now closed. It's freehold has been for sale for sometime, and the sign is still there.

The Cardinal Wolsey by The Green, Hampton Court Road has closed.

From Kimberly Martin (CAMRA Regional Director for Greater London)
London Pubs Weekly has been relaunched with a special edition dedicated to the Regional Conference next Saturday. All London members reading this are urged to attend and contribute their views.

Making CAMRA Better - Greater London Regional Conference

There is a notice on the door of the Bloated Mallard TW11, 3 Victoria Rd, Teddington, to the effect that it's closed 'for unforeseen circumstances'. Update 28th Aug: Pub reopened.

The Three Kings, 52 Heath Rd, Twickenham reopened today after an extensive refurbishment. The new tenant is Alan Ricketts. Real ales were GK IPA (300p/pt), Old Speckled Hen, Doombar, Adnam's Explorer. Pub free of tie.

Paul Andrews of the Red Lion Isleworth has taken on the tenancy (2 months ago) of the Victoria at 56 Worple Rd, Isleworth.

Young & Co. has announced that it will be selling its 40% stake in the Wells & Young's Brewing Company to Charles Wells. A supply arrangement will ensure that Young's beers are still served in Young's pubs. Wells & Young's was formed in 2006 following the merger of the Young's brewing operations with those of Charles Wells. That deal allowed Young's to sell off its Ram brewery in Wandsworth, which had been brewing beer since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Full story in the Evening Standard: Young's quits brewing to focus on its pubs

The Queen Dowager in North Lane, Teddington, after a long period under holding managers now has a new Tenant. Real ales are Young's Bitter, Special and London Gold at £3/pint. Their bottle beers are £2.50. A guest beer may be considered as turnover picks-up.

The pub is holding an 'Olympic' Fun Day on Sunday 14th August starting at 11am as the Olympic Test Event (Surrey Cycle Classic Road Race) runs though Teddington on this day. The event is in association with Park Lane Stables. Pony rides, BBQ, bouncy castle and face painting and special drink offers thoughtout the day.

la Cloche at The Lion at 27 Wick Road, Teddington has reopened today at 6pm, after an extensive refurbishment - now styled as a French Kitchen, Pub & Dining room.

Only Fuller's Pride and Doombar ales on handpump at the moment with a guest ale in the future (update 28th Aug: recent addition Woodforde's Wherry). Food is expected to be available next week.

The Cardinal Wolsey by The Green, Hampton Court Road is to close. The tenants will be leaving at the end of July after which the pub is going to be refurbished and subsumed into Hotel next door. It's unlikely that the new owners will continue with live music.

A planning application 01054/497/P8 has been submitted for change of use (A4 to D1) of the Hussar Bar & Restaurant at 497 Staines Rd, Hounslow. If accepted by Hounslow Council, then the pub is likely to become a Holistic Healing Centre.

Final plans were agreed at the London Liason Committee (LLC) for the proposed London Members' Regional Conference to go ahead on Saturday Sept 3rd at Questors Theatre in Ealing.
Details can be found here (.doc) or here (pdf) - attendance is free, and the beer in the theatre's (multiple CotY-winning) Grapevine bar is both excellent and inexpensive!

Pre-registration request form (.doc)
E-mail to: Conference and Registration

Google Maps link

A Planning Application Ref: 01244/AB/P8 has been received on 14th July by Hounslow Council, for the demolition of the The New England Restaurant & Bar, (ex Duke of York) at 52 York Road Brentford, and the erection of a 20m high building comprising of 26 residential dwellings, a 170sqm Commercial space on ground floor and 15 car parking spaces with associated access, amenities and landscaping.

The New England Restaurant & Bar has been closed since April 2006.

Help required
The ex Jenny Lind, 80 High Street Hampton Hill, is currently subject to a Planning application number: 11/1581/FUL for change of use from A4 (public house) to A5 (take away).

To help save this pub from becoming a KFC your comments and objections are urgently needed.

The Princess Royal in Brentford is undergoing internal and external refurbishment.

The kitchen has now been open at the Magpie & Crown, Brentford, for a few weeks, serving a small range of slightly up-market pub grub.

The St Margarets Tavern (GK) has now extended their range of guest beers. With York Brewery - Citra and tagged COMING NEXT; Brains Brewery, British Summer; Evan Evans Brewery, SPA (Special Pale Ale).

The Hounslow Chronicle has reported that Royal Albion pub in Hibernia Road, Hounslow has been closed down after licensing officers found drugs, counterfeit DVDs and a large amount of cash on the premises. Read full story - Albion pub closed over drugs and fake DVDs

The Swan at Hanworth is open again. It lost its licence in March, but new tenants (Ms) Sima Vig and partner Gerry Dolan have appealed against the decision meaning they can re-open until that is heard.

The Bloated Mallard TW12 at 147 Hampton Hill High Street opens to the public tonight (~7/8pm).

Extensive refurbishment of the Sussex Arms Ale & Cider House is still on-going and the pubs grand opening has been announced as the 28th July. The pub is receiving a very sympathetic restoration and has the potential to be the best real ale pub around by a mile, sporting 18 hand pumps!! There are lots of original features that are being restored (seats around fireplace, wood paneling, stained glass, glazed wall tiles in the back room, etc). It’s going to be a cracking traditional pub when all the work has been finished.

The major refurbishment of the Fox, 39 Church Rd, Twickenham is now clear to proceed. The pub is scheduled to close on the 19th Sept and reopen mid Nov 2011 if all goes to plan.

In Hampton Hill The Duke of Clarence at 147 High St, has been renamed the Bloated Mallard TW12 and is scheduled to reopen on the 15th July (7-8pm) after an extensive refurbishment. Real ales: Twickenham Grandstand & Naked Ladies + Fuller's Pride. The pub will be having a BBQ during the Hampton Hill Summer festival on the Saturday 16th July.

Appeal (Ref: APP/L5810/A/11/2146561) for planning permission and change of use for the former Railway Tavern, 91 High St, Hampton Wick has been dismissed in a surprise decision by the Government Planning Inspectorate on the 30th June. The hearing was attended by John Austin representing CAMRA Richmond & Hounslow branch.

The application Ref: 10/0593/COU, dated 4th March 2010, was refused by Richmond Council on the 3rd August 2010.

The Lion in Wick Rd, Teddington has been closed for refurbishment and should reopen in August.

The new planning application submitted in March (11/0825/FUL & 11/0826/LBC) for a major refurbishment of the Fox, 39 Church Rd, Twickenham, has been granted by Richmond Council, 1st June 2011.

Proposal
Demolition of existing Toilet Block and external Stairway serving the First Floor Function Room - replacing with an Entrance Lobby. Reconstruction of existing single-storey Larder with a Disabled Toilet and introduction of glazed doors to the rear of the Ground Floor area beneath Function Room. Internal alterations to provide new Commercial Kitchen and Toilets in place of Function Room and an enclosed Trade Area beneath at Ground Floor, linking through into existing Kitchen and Office areas to provide additional Trade Area. New internal Staircase to access the new Toilets at First Floor. Replacement timber Entrance Gates.

Fuller, Smith & Turner, has added three pubs to its estate — The Cabbage Patch in Twickenham, the Coach and Horses in Soho, and The Crown in Bishop’s Waltham. The Cabbage Patch will be added to Fuller’s managed division and a refurbishment is planned to upgrade the cellars and fabric of the building.

Read more in the Publican’s Morning Advertiser — Fuller’s makes triple acquisition

The ex Railway at 91 High Street, Hampton Wick.
A new Planning Application 11/1596/FUL has been submitted by Mr & Mrs Robert & Hannah Waller on 18th May 2011.

The Warren at 419 Hanworth Rd, Hounslow, is closed and boarded up.

The Royal Oak in Ham St, Ham, has reopened under new management in May - London Pride only real ale.

The Dysart Arms, 135 Petersham Rd, Petersham is now regarded by the manager as a Restaurant (not a pub) that also happens to serves real ale. So popping in for just a beer, is likely to be awkward. Twickenham Sundancer was on when visited today. Name likely to change to just The Dysart at some future date.

The Three Horsehoes at 1 Sunbury Rd, Feltham, has a new tenant as of four weeks ago. This large pub currently only sells Courage Best on hand-pump, but his desire is to provide a second real ale in the future. See updated picture on the Branch Pubs page

The Airman at 1 Hanworth Rd, Feltham, The three hand-pumps on the bar remain unused as this pub stopped selling real ale some 14 months ago.

Planning Application 10/0593/COU
Mrs Hannah Dutton-Waller wishes to convert the Railway Pub opposite Hampton Wick Station into a single family dwelling. The Planning Appeal Hearing for 'change of use' is to take place on 21st June commencing at 10am. The Hearing will be at York House, Richmond Rd, Twickenham. TW1 3BZ

The closure of the Mortlake's Stag Brewery by AB InBev UK has been put on hold, and is to stay open until 2014 because of rising sales(!) :( the Company reports. However, because of fundamental issues with the site the Company still intends to close brewery. The Lower Richmond Rd site has been home to brewers since 1489.
InBev UK history.

Developers have re-applied for permission to develop the old Jenny Lind site in Hampton High St, as a KFC take-away. This is after the previous application was turned down by Richmond Council after 330 letters opposing the plan were received by the authority.

Planning Application Number : 11/1581/FUL. Proposal : Change of use from A4 (public house) to A5 (take away).

There will be a public meeting for all those interested in opposing KFC's second application for the Jenny Lind at The Greenwood Centre on Thursday 9th June, 4.30 - 6.30pm. See www.hamptonhillguide.co.uk

The Sussex Arms, 15 Staines Rd, Twickenham, has closed for a major refurbishment. Expected reopening June/July 2011.

Work is progressing at the Waldegrave Arms site at 209 Waldegrave Rd, Teddington. Development is being carried out by Paragon Housing Association and for structural reasons it proved necessary to demolish the upper floors of the pub but these will be replaced in facsimile. The pub closed in 2006.

See Planning application number: 07/3470/FUL. Refurbishment of existing public house retaining the A4 use class at ground floor with 3 flats at upper floors. Construction of two new 3 storey buildings behind the pub comprising of 19 flats with associated parking for 20 cars.

The Sussex Arms in Twickenham has been taken over by the licensee who runs The Fox in Church Street.

The Bull, opposite Richmond Station reopened after extensive refurbishment on the 22nd April. It has also been renamed One Kew Road.

According to a sign outside the Sussex Arms in Twickenham, it will be reopening soon 'under new management'. There is a rubbish skip outside and it looks like the interior is getting a major refurbishment.

A new planning application (11/0825/FUL & 11/0826/LBC) for major refurbishment of the Fox, 39 Church Rd, Twickenham, has been submitted to Richmond Council in March. Application decision due date 1st June 2011.

Richmond Councillors have turned down the application to convert the Jenny Lind at 80 High St, Hampton Hill into a KFC take away, and approve its change of use from A4 (public house) to A5 (fast food take away), amid opposition from residents, traders and community leaders. The applicant can still appeal against this decision and it will be some weeks before this is known.

Read more in the Richmond & Twickenham Times dated 15th April. The Jenny Lind has been closed and the freehold sold since Nov 2009.

See Planning Application Case File at idoxwam.richmond.gov.uk/WAM/showCaseFile.do?&appNumber=10/3735/

Also see Breaking News! www.hamptonhillguide.co.uk

The The Tide End Cottage in Teddington has finally reopened after refurbishment after closing on the 27th March. The outside pub sign has been replaced with new version (see left). The tabled seating area has been extended, but the pub still retains a comfortable atmosphere. Beers are: Green King IPA (280p), Old Speckled Hen (310p) and Abbot Ale (305p). A seasonal beer for the up-coming royal wedding called Celebration should be ready very soon. The Abbot Ale was in excellent condition when sampled this afternoon.

The Kings Head, High St, Teddington has received Cask Marque approval for it's beers: Twickenham Naked Ladies, Doombar and Pride @320p a pint.

Its been reported in the Richmond & Twickenham Times of the 11th April that The Grand Union, in Twickenham, faces losing its licence after 'violent attacks' and licence abuses. The pub has now had its weekend hours cut from 02.30 to midnight following police objections to persistent violent behaviour. See additional RTT news item dated 15th.

It has been reported that 'Punch Taverns has written down the value of more than 2,000 pubs it has put up for sale by £367m, pushing it into a first-half loss, because it believes there is no future for the traditional drinks-led British pub.' This may affect some of the 18 Punch pubs in our branch area.

Read the news item in the Daily Telegraph

Keith Hatcher, the tenant of the Bloated Mallard (BM TW11) in Teddington has taken on the Duke of Clarence at 147 High St, Hampton Hill. The pub is currently shut for refurbishment and should reopen end of May as BM TW12, featuring real ale from Twickenham Fine Ales.

The last pub in Hanworth has closed.
Reported in the Feltham & Hanworth Chronicle, Tara Dawson said she is "disappointed" at the decision by the council to revoke the pub's license. Tara, took over The Swan in Swan Road, in December last year.

It is not known whether or not the Pub Company (Admiral Taverns) will lodge an appeal.

The Sussex Arms at 15 Staines Rd, Twickenham, that's owned by Punch Taverns, closed last night (2nd Apr). Its future looks uncertain.

Mike Dodds has taken over from Laura Best as holding manager for the Queen Dowager in Teddington. Unless some new energy and enterprise can be injected into this pub, its future looks bleak.

The Rifleman in Forth Cross Rd, Twickenham. Three ales on tap. Twickenham's Sundancer was found in excellent condition. The new tenant is Luke Prior and partner Cloe Simmons. The pub’s decor is much improved and they have paid a fair amount of detail to cleanliness and decent furniture. Dart board in position. They are planning Sunday Roasts and a simple English weekday menu.

They are currently canvassing patrons to nominate beers for their Beer and Wine festival between 29 April and 2 May. Probably 4 ales on hand pumps and six on gravity.

NB. News of the pub's reopening failed to get into the Apr/May issue of the London Drinker magazine, as it had already gone to print.

The Queen Dowager in Teddington reopened on 23rd March under a new longer term holding manager. The future of this Young's house looks uncertain.

The Tide End Cottage at 8 Ferry Rd, Teddington, is currently closed for refurbishment and is to reopen on the 14th April.

The Coach & Horses, 183 London Rd, Isleworth reopened on 21st March after a major makeover. See their new website. www.coachandhorsesisleworth.co.uk

The Roebuck in Hampton Hill will not be serving Sharp's beer anymore after the brewery's takeover by Coors, and has been replaced by St Austell's Tribute.

The Duke of Clarence, 147 High St, Hampton Hill has closed. It is known that a number of local pub licensees have expressed an interest in taking on this Enterprise pub.

The Rifleman in Forth Cross Rd, Twickenham has reopened.

The Three Kings, 42 Heath Road in Twickenham is in the process of reopening soon (July?) after being closed for a long time.

The Queen Dowager at 49 North Lane, Teddington, appears to have closed its doors. It was not open this Sunday lunchtime. The last tenant lost his licenced in Dec last year, and the pub was being run by a holding manager for Young's since then.

The Abercorn Arms, 76 Church Road, Teddington. This Young's pub has reopened after a major refurbishment.

The Royal Oak in Ham Street, Ham is reported to be open again. It seems still to be owned by Enterprise Inns but under new management. Beer is London Pride.

The Lion, Wick Rd. Teddington. It's now predicted that the pub will close for a major refurbishment mid-summer for ~6 weeks. The Barn at the back of the pub is to gain some windows and be fitted out as a restaurant. When the new owners take full control the beer range will improve with Twickenham + guests (currently Pride & Doombar). A limited range of food and the popular Quiz night is to start on the 16th March.

The Teddington Arms, 38/40 High St, Teddington, are holding a spring beer festival from Thursday April 7th.

Three Kings , 42 Heath Road Twickenham.
A Planning Application 11/0182/FUL has been submitted for a single storey rear extension. New extract duct and new boundary treatment. Ground floor interior: General interior refurb, Repositioning of male and female toilets to rear of the property, Creation of kitchen, disabled toilet and glass wash area and layout of the servery. Ground Floor exterior: Landscaping of rear courtyard with pergola, Construction of bin stall. First floor: As Existing.

The Albany Arms, 17 Albany Rd, Brentford, has just reopened after a spruce-up and now under new management. Real ale has returned with well-kept Wells Bombardier. The new manager seems to know the area and its "issues", but wants it to be a friendly local pub - quite a challenge given the pub's previous reputation.

O'Briens, 11 London Rd, Brentford, has now reopened under a Polish manager, Marcin. It appears that Pride is now the sole regular ale, there were also two guests, GK IPA and Wadworths Henry's IPA.

The Royal Oak in Ham, Ham Street, TW10 7HN, is reported to have closed. January last year it was reported that the lease is up for sale by Enterprise Inns.

The Lion, Wick Rd, Teddington, reopened on the 3rd Feb. Rachid Noui with Julien are running the pub for Enterprise Inns with a view of taking on the Tenancy. Rachid Noui also runs the Carpenters Arms in Sunninghill near Ascot and was previously at the l'auberge restaurant at the King's Head in Teddington. Their intention is to add a French restaurant to this traditional pub. The beer bottles behind the bar that Don had collected have gone together with the CAMRA Certificates and the pool table. Beer was Pride and Doombar. The Doombar at 340p a pint was in good condition.

More bad news: Tesco Stores Ltd has taken over the Former Horse & Groom pub at Hampton Road, West Feltham and intends to turn it into a Tesco Metro, in the same way they did with the Red Lion in Twickenham. Planning Reference: 00550/D/P9 Approved by Hounslow Council on Jan 12th 2011.

We have heard some good news that the Lion, Wick Rd, Teddington, may be reopened by the end of the month. The pub will then close again for refurbishment later in the year. After which the establishment will be between a gastropub and an ordinary pub, with the restaurant doing French food. If the beer quality will be regarded as important as the food is another matter, we will have to wait and see.

Not so good news: The Rifleman at Fourth Cross Rd, Twickenham has closed its doors.

The new Landlady of the Abercorn Arms at 76 Church Rd, Teddington, is putting up for sale the 147 caricatures of its past regulars drawn over the years by artist Dave Compton in preparation for the redecoration of the pub. All money raised by the two-day sale on the 28th Jan will go to the Teddington Memorial Hospital.

Twickenham's Up 'n' Under officially reopened on the 17th Dec as the Koyote Bar. See http://www.koyotebar.co.uk/

The Royal Horse Guardsman at Brentford is now open. Two real ales, Courage Best and Batemans Rosey Nosey when last visited in Dec.

The local community, shocked by the sudden closure of the Lion (London PotY 2006), 27 Wick Rd, Teddington, on the 22nd December 2010, has formed a local action group to get the pub reopened. They even heard from someone in the Cayman Islands expressing their dismay - news travels fast.

Dialogue has been established with Enterprise Inns, who say they are committed to reopening the pub, and detailed constructive comments submitted, covering; beer quality and range, food, the right Landlord, local groups, redecoration, garden, regular events, pub website, other investment, and more uses.

A response from the PubCo received today said '...the comments were very helpful. Enterprise are in the process of speaking to a very dynamic operator, who has a passion for real ale and good food, with a strong track record of involving the community and developing iconic sites'. Enterprise plans to reopen the pub once the legal process has been completed.

The Fox in Twickenham was to be closing for 3 months for definitive refurbishment in the spring 2011. However the Planning Application Number: 10/2559/FUL was refused permission 20th Dec 2010.