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BRANCH NEWS ARCHIVE - 2015

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What's Happening within the branch area? We would appreciate your feedback on any news that would be of interest, especially changes to pubs in the area.

Posted News item
29th Dec

Inside-view-around-barIf you are planning to visit the Mitre at 20 St Mary´s Grove, Richmond in the new year, please note that it will be closed from the 1st Jan for a week. This is to allow the toilets to be refurbished.

9th Dec

The Tenancy of the Red Lion in Isleworth has now been transferred to Duncan Townsend.

O'Riordans at 3 High Street, Brentford is now under new management and reported to be serving a real ale.

2nd Dec

Our 1st success in Hounslow Borough, the Red Lion in Isleworth is now listed as an Asset of Community Value. Many thanks to all who have contributed their assistance and support to this application.
Charles Owens, Chair R&H CAMRA

28th Nov

The Stag Brewery 22-acre site in Mortlake owned by AB InBev has been sold for £158 million. The buyer is a subsidiary of Singaporean luxury-flats specialist City Developments.

The Windmill at 45 Bell Road, Hounslow has been closed for a couple of years now. In 2014 an application was submitted to Hounslow Council for planning permission for a 3-storey block of flats at the rear, and that was refused. Now an application has been submitted for a decked area at the rear with tables and 'permanent' parasols to serve the existing 'pub/restaurant' and that has been approved, and work has already started on refurbishment of the pub interior. A large banner has appeared stating; "New Year (2016) - New Place - Opening Soon".

23rd Nov

The Mitre at 20 St Mary´s Grove, Richmond, has finally re-opened with a new tenant. They have 10 ales on constant rotation which include 2 IPA's 4 Pale Ales, 2 Best Bitters & 2 Darks. 3 ciders also on handpump. Opening Times: 3-11 Mon-Fri; 12-11 Sat; 12-10.30 Sun. Their toilets are due to be refurbished in January 2016. See their Facebook page.

16th Nov

The Cricketers at Kew is currently closed for a 'refresh' and will be re-opening 18th November.

14th Nov

Today is the grand reopening of The Admiral Nelson, 123 Nelson Rd, Whitton. The pub has had a major refurbishment by Fullers.

The Leasehold of the Victoria Tavern in Isleworth, TW7 7HU, is currently up for sale by Fleurets (ref:LS-520193).

The Swan, Hanworth has now been boarded-up.

11th Nov

It's been reported that the Tenant of the Mitre in Richmond (Ady Smith) has finally relinquished his role as publican and the pub is now in new hands and closed whilst it is being refurbished.

The Rifleman in Twickenham has its pub sign included in a feature on the BBC website. "Raising a glass to the original street art"

6th Nov

What was previously known as The Lot in Richmond, is currently being redeveloped as "a stylish all-day independent neighbourhood bar and restaurant". It is expected to be open 14th November 2015. It has been renamed No 1 Duke Street. They have set up a web site - www.no1dukestreet.com - that contain Food & Drink menus. Reading these indicates that one cask conditioned beer will be offered; Redemption Pale Ale (3.8%) @ £4/pt.

3rd Nov

The Mulberry Tree at 65 Richmond Road, Twickenham, are holding their 1st ever Beer Festival. It starts on Thursday 5th November to Sunday 8th. Ales available over the festival are:

Abbeydale - Marshmallow Meltdown 7% - Stout
Abbeydale Black Magik 6.3% - Black I.P.A.
Abbeydale - Wilderness 3.7% - Session I.P.A
Animal - Swish 4.6% - 6 Hop Amber
Atom - Schrodingers Cat 3.5% - Amber Bitter
Atom - Blonde 4% - Blonde
Blackjack - Belgian Gold 6% - Belgian I.P.A
Blue Bee - American 5 Hop 4.3% - A.P.A
Brightside - Gridlock 6.5% - I.P.A
Brightside - Odin 3.8% - Pale Ale
Cloudwater - Pale 4.1% - A.P.A
Cloudwater - Red Ale 4.8% - Hoppy Red
Cumbrian Legendary - Loweswater Gold 4.3% - Golden Ale
Cumbrian Legendary - Esthwaite Bitter 3.8% - Session Bitter
Dark Star - Green Hop I.P.A 6.5% - Green Hopped I.P.A
Marble - Lagonda 5% - I.P.A
Marble - Howgate and Kemp 6.4% I.P.A
Nethergate - Umbel Magna 5% - Coriander Ruby Porter
Park - Autumn Amber - 3.9% - Session Bitter
Red Willow - Headless 3.8% - Pale Ale
Red Willow - Feckless 4.1% - Best Bitter
Springhead - Drop O' The Black Stuff 4% - Porter
Tiny Rebel - Dirty Stopout 5% - Smoked Porter
Track - Toba 5.6% - Stout
Track - Karema ??? TBC

Craft Kegs of:

Cloudwater - Porter 6% - Porter
BlackJack - Schafkopf 5% - Wheat Beer
Anarchy - Anti Venom 5% - A.P.A
Marble - IBD 7.5% I.P.A
Salopian - Polygraph 7.4% I.P.A

30th Oct

Tomorrow to Sunday, the Prince of Wales, Hampton Road, West Twickenham is celebrating the restoration of its eight hand pumps with a min-festival. Beers include Thornbridge Jaipur and seven others.

Between 13th and 15th November the Sussex Arms, Staines Road, West Twickenham are having a festival with 60 ales and ciders, bbq, hog roast and daily music. They have a heated marquee for extra covered space.

23rd Oct

This year's Pub of the Year as announced at the 2015 Twickenham Beer & Cider Festival, was:

The Masons Arms in Teddington - Winner!
Congratulations to Rae Williams and her staff.

The award was presented at the Festival by Twickenham MP Tania Mathias with Charles Owens the Richmond & Hounslow branch Chairman.

The Sussex Arms in Twickenham - was runner-up.

The Railway in Teddington reopens under new management.
Initial cask beers are: Fuller's London Pride, Marston's New World Pale Ale, Sharp's Doom Bar, and St Austell Tribute.

21st Oct

Brewery LogoOur Branch will soon be welcoming another brewery to our area. Reunion Ales Ltd are setting up a 10 barrel brewery located in Hanworth Park, Feltham, within the London Borough of Hounslow. Their motto is "Combining modern science with the wisdom of tradition". Follow them on Twitter: @reunionales

The Railway at 3 Victoria Rd, Teddington (close to the Railway Station) is to reopen on Friday at 7pm, 23rd October after refurbishment. The pub is now under new management. Four cask beers on handpull.

26th Sept

The London Borough of Hounslow has rejected the application (by Julian Joyce on behalf of The Red Lion Future) for listing the Red Lion in Isleworth as an Asset of Community Value, after an alleged protest from the owners The Wellington Pubco. They give the reason that the nominating group did not demonstrate it qualifies under the Localism Act Regulations.

See: www.hounslow.gov.uk/asset_community_value_red_lion_public_house.pdf

The new tenant of the pub who has taken over from Louisa Andrews, has run the Red Cow in Richmond and Alma in Wandsworth says he is reviewing the music and will drop some. Some minor refurbishment is intended, to re-do kitchen and clean it up. Not structural as far as we know.

Update: The branch has submitted the ACV application, which is to be decided before the end of December 2015 according to Hounslow's acknowledgement. Also in liaison with the St John's Residents Association.

11th Sept

The owners of the Three Kings, Twickenham and The Red Lion, Teddington have acquired Molly's (formally The Hope) on Kew Road, Richmond. Unlike their other sites which have a gastro focus, they are reopening as a real ale pub offering 8 real ales on a rotating basis as well as a selection of draught craft beers and bottle beers. The pub is to open at 5pm on Thursday 17th September and the name will revert to The Hope.

4th Sept

The Lot (a non Real Ale) pub at 1a Duke Street, Richmond, closed last orders on 7th Aug 2015. The pub is currently being refurbished. A notice of Application for a New Premises Licence is displayed. The organisation behind the development is Darwin & Wallace Ltd, a company created by former All Bar One brand manager. It is expected to be opened as a gastro bar before Christmas.

The Hampton pub at 31 Tangley Pk Rd, Hampton, has been awarded a Good Food Award after 18 months under new management by the General Mgr and Head Chef Geo Bassani Lima.

25th Aug
4th Sept

Handmade Pubs Ltd that have run the Railway at 3 Victoria Rd, Teddington since May 2013 are giving up the pub. The likely new owner who also run The Greyhound at 82 Kew Green, Kew (Greedies) will take over on the 5th September. Delayed! The pub will then close for a month for an extensive refurbishment to accommodate their requirements. Cask ale will continue to be served.

The historic Stag Brewery in Mortlake, now producing Budweiser, Michelob, Michelob ULTRA and Bud Ice and packaged for the UK market (in vast quantities!) is currently owned by AB InBev. The site has been finally put up for sale and is expected to close at the end of 2015. There are plans that the 21-acre site will be turned into a 'high-density residential-led' scheme complete with restaurants, cafes and retail space alongside a museum and boathouses. The site has been home to brewers since 1489.

20th Aug

The ground floor bar area in the White Hart Hotel in Hampton Wick has been refurbished.

14th Aug

The Rising Sun in Hampton Hill has been put up for sale. The sale is being managed by Fleurets Ltd on behalf of Greene King. The pub is on the market as a going concern and remains open and trading. The pub first opened in the 1860s.


Because of restrictions placed on local businesses for the World Cub by Heineken, Twickenham Fine Ales are not able to open their Brewery Bar on Saturday 15th Aug 2015. The exclusions place a 500 metre zone to maximise £20m sponsorship deal in which Heineken have grabbed exclusive marketing rights around the Twickenham stadium. Expect pop-up Heineken bars in Twickenham and individual Heineken vendors walking the streets.

29th June

O'Briens (of Brentford) reopened 26th June under new ownership after extensive refurbishment and the pub's original name of Northumberland Arms. The pub is now described as "a modern British gastro pub offering a wide choice of real ales, continental lagers and fine wines". Regular sessions of live music also feature. Doom Bar, Deuchars IPA and Bombardier were on sale when visited recently- hardly inspiring). The original padded seating down the left hand side has been replaced by light pine wooden seating in tables of four. The front entrance door has been moved and is now central. The right hand side of the room still appears to be drinker orientated. See their website: www.northumberlandarms.co.uk
WhatPub link.

17th June

Kew Brewery logoKew Brewery now had a 6 barrel plant up and running, though its was currently operating on 5 and a half barrels, soon to be rectified to operate at full capacity. Two beers had already been brewed - Pagoda (Amber ale) and Botantic (Pale ale) both available in cask and bottles. The very first cask of Kew Brewery beer, Pagoda Pale No.1, is now on at the Kew Gardens Hotel - but it's not expected to last for long!

6th June

The Swan at 201 Swan Road, Hanworth (last pub in the village) is boarded up and apparently sold as either a pub or for development.

A Planning application by Ash Properties Ltd to Hounslow Council (Planning Ref: 01100/201/P1) to demolition the pub and erect a new 3 and 4 storey development was refused on 29th June 2012. The appeal was subsequently refused 30th May 2013.

30th May

Tide End Cottage Pub Sign 2015The Tide End Cottage in Teddington has reopened after refurbishment on the 27th May. Cask beers available today were: Greene King IPA, Abbort Ale, Old Golden Hen, Morland Original Bitter, Churchill IPA (a limited edition ale - nice!) and Hogs Back T.E.A. The outside swinging sign has been changed again - now somewhat bland IMHO, compaired to the original sign.

29th May

It has been reported in the Richmond & Twickenham Times that AB InBev UK is to close the Mortlake Stag Brewery at the end of 2015. The closure is subject to consultation with staff.

24th May

The multi-award-winning RealAle.com loacated in Twickenham was named Retailer of the Year at the Drinks Business Awards on the 19th May. The off licence also celebrates its 10th anniversary by launching its own beer range (brewed by Buxton Brewery) called Ubiquitous. Their first beer is a Pale Ale (4.2%) and sold in 330ml bottles.

14th May

Enterprise Inns set to sell off 1000 pubs in massive overhaul. Read full report in the Evening Standard. Also read Phil Mellows Blog 'Enterprising moves in the pubco endgame' - 12th May.

8th May

The Lofty Turtle on Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen, is to reopen as The Bear Kick on 14th May at 8pm. The Lofty Turtle closed in November last year. Reported to have 2 real ale pumps on. Opening with Sharps Doombar and Deuchars IPA. www.thebearkick.com

27th Apr

A brand new beer festival is being held in Hampton raising money for a number of worthy charities. Location: 84-86 Station Rd, Hampton, Middlesex. TW12 2BX.

Three sessions available:
Friday 26th June 6pm-10pm
Saturday 27th June 12noon-4pm
Saturday 27th June 6pm-10pm

This is a ticket only event. See their website - www.hamptonbeerfestival.co.uk for further information, or email: tickets@hamptonbeerfestival.co.uk

25th Apr

The Tide End in Teddington will be closing for refurbishment on the 10th May for 10 days. The small end of the bar is to be sacrificed for glass washing.

9th Apr

The Royal Oak at 38 New Road, Brentford, has been closed and now boarded-up, and any notice has been removed from the door.

2nd Apr

To coincide with Hampton Court Palace's 500th anniversary, the Mute Swan at Hampton Court are holding a Champion Beers of Britain Week from Thursday 2nd April to Sunday 12th April. Beers to include: Timothy Taylor's Boltmaker and featuring 15 real ales for the week with 6 on at any one time. The selection for the week will feature gold medal beers such as Tillingbourne's 'Falls Gold', Oakham's 'Citra', Thwaites' 'Wainwright', Salopian's 'Darwin's Original' and Bank Top's 'Dark Mild', to name a few.

31st Mar

The Hampton Pub (www.hamptonpub.co.uk) in Hampton, TW12 3RA, are having a beer festival over Easter weekend starting between 3 or 4pm on Friday until they run out. They anticipate an extra six beers (they already have three real ales) and two ciders. Various buses stop outside (it is next to the smaller Sainsbury's). Please support this pub.

17th Mar

6ft tall mural by BanksyThe 6ft tall mural (believed to be worth £100,000) by the artist 'Banksy' painted on the side of the North Star pub at 69 Whitton Rd, Hounslow in 2007 - now renamed Platform 3 - has been defaced over the weekend to show the girl wearing a burkha, leaving only her eyes visible.

The artwork showed a girl in pigtails with the word 'smile' in brightly coloured letters. The locals are furious, saying it had been the 'only decent thing' in the area.

News update: Someone has subsequently cleaned and restored the mural.

14th Mar

Three Twickenham pubs that were closed get converted to American style BBQ Restaurant/Bars and have reopened in the last three weeks.

What was the Twickenham Tavern in 11 London Road is now the Blue's Smokehouse - 'Authentic' American BBQ restaurant. It opened at the end of February. Although mainly a restaurant you can have a drink without eating. There are two cask ales from handpumps available; St Austell Tribute (350p/pt) and their house beer called No.1 (4.1% ABV) brewed by Caledonian (335p/pt). They are also have a selection of bottle beers from Twickenham Fine Ales at 450p. bluessmokehouse.com

The Ales & Tails in 29/31 York Street has become a Chicago Rib Shack restaurant that opened on the 13th March. Again, although mainly a restaurant you can have a drink without eating. The bar support three handpumps for changing cask ales when operational in the near future. www.thechicagoribshack.co.uk

What was formerly the London Rd, Garyowen, Codee's Bar, & Rugby Tavern; reopened on the 9th March as The Shack 68. This is a bar and restaurant serving BBQ inspired food. No real Ale. www.theshack.london

A new Premises Licence Application has been made for what was the Old Anchor, 71 Richmond Road Twickenham:

'Proposed convenience retail store, to trade 7 days a week, selling groceries, sundry items and alcohol for consumption off the premises only. J-Supply of alcohol (outdoors) Monday to Sunday 07:00 to 23:00'

www.richmond.gov.uk/new_and_variation_premises_applications.pdf

28th Feb

The Moon Under Water in Hounslow, are having a Real Ale festival 13th-29th March. All festival ales (48) will be £1.99 and they will also be offering a 'try 3 ales (1/3 tasting glasses) for £1.99' deal. CAMRA vouchers accepted throughout festival.

27th Feb

The friends of the Red Lion in Isleworth have reported that they are delighted that Hounslow Council voted to list the pub as a Community Asset. The Red Lion is now protected for a six months community consultation period in the event that a delevoper applies for change of use or redeveopment. This is the first AVC granted in our Branch area. The future of Red Lion is currently in a state of flux as we await news on who will buy the lease.

The New Inn at 345 Petersham Rd, Ham, has applied for planning permission - 15/0597/LBC - for a new business sign. The building is Grade-II listed.

22nd Feb

The Lofty Turtle (previously the Naked Turtle) at 505-507 Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen, has closed. In a recent tweet from @theloftyturtle "the owners have moved to the Westcountry @thebronxbar same beer ethos better food & 30 meters to the beach." The future of the bar is uncertain.

Twickenham Fine Ales are in the local news again. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond with Conservative parliamentary candidate Dr Tania Mathias visited the brewery on the day a new fermenting vessel was being installed, increasing beer brewing capacity by 20%. The guests were shown around by MD Steve Brown and Master Brewer Stuart Medcalf.

The Windsor Castle, 152 Bath Rd, Hounslow is open and bearing an 'Under New Management' banner. A planning application: 00083/152/P10 dated 22nd Oct 2014, submitted for its demolition and the erection of a seven storey building comprising of commercial floorspace on the ground floor and 36 flats above, has been refused 28th Jan 2015.

26th Jan

Two pubs in Twickenham are set to be lost to the restaurant trade.

Ales&Tails, 29/31 York Street. There is now a notice on the window that the premises will be opening as a Chicago Rib Shack BBQ Grill Restaurant in Feb 2015. www.thechicagoribshack.co.uk

What was the Twickenham Tavern at 11 London Road will also be opening as a restaurant soon. It will be called the Blues Smokehouse - Authentic American BBQ. Looking at their other outlets, a range of bottled, draft craft beers including two cask ales are expected to be served, but not as a standalone bar. bluessmokehouse.com

23rd Jan

The remaining 12 years of the Nomura/Wellington lease on the Red Lion in Linkfield Rd, Isleworth is being put up 'for sale' by Paul Andrews to allow Louisa to pursue a different career interest. Paul will continue to run the Victoria Tavern at 56 Worple Rd, Isleworth.

Tom McAuley is to leave the Prince of Wales, 136 Hampton Rd, Twickenham.

The London Road, 68 London Rd, Twickenham, remains closed whilst extensive work is being carried out on the premises.

8th Jan

Kew Brewer Trade MarkDave Scott's dream of moving his Kew Brewery onto a commercial footing took a step closer yesterday, as Richmond Council approved his planning application. He is planning for the brewery to be operational by April this year with a 6 barrel plant.

Follow progress on Facebook.

6th Jan

The Moon On The Square at 30 The Centre, High St, Feltham, is holding a Beer Festival between Monday 16th February to Friday 20th. There will be a range of beers from a selection of London Breweries:

By The Horns (Summerstown)- Bison American Pale Ale 4.8%, Mick The Miller 4%, Diamond Geezer 4.9% Clarence & Fredericks (Croydon)- Cascadian Black 5%, Golden Ale 3.8% The Cronx (Croydon)- Standard 3.8%, Kotchin 3.9%, Mad-Ass Entire 5.2% East London (Leyton)- Foundation Bitter 4.2%, Cowcatcher American Pale 4.8%, Quadrant Oatmeal Stout 5.8% Hop Stuff (Woolwich)- Fusilier 4.3%, Renegade IPA 5.6% Portobello (Portobello)- Chestnut Ale 4.5%, Ginger Bread Beer 4.4%, Apachi 7% Truman’s (Hackney Wick)- Eyrie 4.3%, Original Porter 4.5%, Runner 4%

Pint’s on the Monday will be £1.79, and the pub will be accepting CAMRA vouchers all week.

3rd Jan

The Aleksander. 14/5023/FUL Change of Use to the first floor from single residential use to public dining only and WC.