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The White Swan (under threat) on Deserter
Vincenzo
Posts: 2,911
The White Swan in Charlton Village is up for sale, with the price set at a rate that could only attract a developer to turn it into flats. A group of locals are trying to raise the money to turn it into a community pub, ie. one owned by the people, not a pubco. It's been lubricating Charlton fans as long as they've been at The Valley.
Here's our piece on the threat to the Swan and the closure of the Old Loyal Britons. http://deserter.co.uk/2014/11/pubwatch-charlton-and-greenwich/
Here's the Facebook page if you want to be kept informed of the campaign or get involved in it: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1440974652782873/
Here's our piece on the threat to the Swan and the closure of the Old Loyal Britons. http://deserter.co.uk/2014/11/pubwatch-charlton-and-greenwich/
Here's the Facebook page if you want to be kept informed of the campaign or get involved in it: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1440974652782873/
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Excellent article, Vincenzo I see that they obtained an ACV, in March as the trust did the previous December.
I would be sorry to see it go, as I lived in Springfields, and this and the Valley were my fathers favourite pub.
Did Cllr Don Austen turn up for this, he lives in the Village, and along with the Cllrs Gillmans I am sure would support keeping this community asset. I think there is a big battle to fight though on this one, good to see the local community behind this.0 -
Is the pub a going concern? Maybe business is bad because no one goes there, then when it's threatened with closure/development everyone says it a community asset.
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Punch Taverns is the Pubco.iaitch said:Is the pub a going concern? Maybe business is bad because no one goes there, then when it's threatened with closure/development everyone says it a community asset.
They also have the Bugle Horn.
No doubt they see both pubs in competition with each other.
Punch Taverns contract their pub tenants to buy in beer from them at hugely inflated wholesale prices.
It's the reason why their pub tenants need to charge high prices for beer, if they are to make any sort of living from their business.
High prices depress beer sales, which threatens the viability of the pub.
The pubco then seek to sell the pub to property developers.
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Thanks Oggy.
What was court case recently where tenants could buy from anyone and not be tied to the brewery anymore?
Would any savings be passed on to customers or just give a bigger profit margin to the tenants?
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As my posting stated RBG registered this as a community asset, not unusual, especially at RBG quite a few on there.iaitch said:Is the pub a going concern? Maybe business is bad because no one goes there, then when it's threatened with closure/development everyone says it a community asset.
Hopefully people will support the Swan, perhaps there is a way to rejuvinate the pub, but it looks a tough job with the asking price.I do not mean 'tart it up with a fake makeover'. As I stated I have an affectionate memory of the swan, as I lived minutes away from it's doorsteps. At the same time I would hate to see the bugle close as I do use that, pub and was in there on Tuesday as it happens. And they have been very supportive of the trust, so a bit of a 'hobsons choice' for me personally.
But is this a the fate of pubs, apartments and Tesco express. No thanks, housing is important, but they are building hundreds of apartments down at North Greenwich. Hopefully your local will not close
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The White Swan is a dive...hence why no-one drinks there...would rather drink in the groubd and that is saying something!0
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Do you live/drink in Charlton oh "superchrissypowell"?superchrissypowell said:The White Swan is a dive...hence why no-one drinks there...would rather drink in the groubd and that is saying something!
Please tell.
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It is a dive tbf. I always feel like wiping my feet on the way out.1
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"Tbf" That wasn't my question.
How often do you go in the pub on a non match day?0 - Sponsored links:
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Personally, I've only ever been in there on a match day, although not for more than a year.0
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The Swan was my place for a pre match tipple since we were in the Premier League...and I was old enough to drink, sort of. At the beginning of this season I stopped going there, the reasons being:
1. Despite having been done up a few years back the place is dirty. The final straw was when it stunk of piss prior to the Wolves game on a Tuesday night.
2. The beer is pretty crap, when it did have ale on it was of a poor standard so I mostly stuck to lager...saying that on the few occasions I've been to the Bugle it's no better.
3. The number of people going has dwindled (at a far higher rate than match-day attendances) and now the pre match atmosphere is lacking.
I would not rule out ever going back, and if this "community asset" venture is successful then it would be a perfect opportunity to have a well run Charlton pub to go to before the game.1 -
I pop in there now and again on non match days, definitely improved over last three months, don't know about the beer as only drink lager, but they have a singer on Friday, and seems to be free of trouble at the moment.superchrissypowell said:The White Swan is a dive...hence why no-one drinks there...would rather drink in the groubd and that is saying something!
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Don't live in Charlton but have been on numerous occasions on both non-match and match days. I havent been since the summer (as it is a dive) so it may have got better.Curb_It said:
Do you live/drink in Charlton oh "superchrissypowell"?superchrissypowell said:The White Swan is a dive...hence why no-one drinks there...would rather drink in the groubd and that is saying something!
Please tell.
Like someone else has said, the beer is crap in there. I only ever drank bottled beer0 -
Thanks, Ken.ken from bexley said:Excellent article, Vincenzo I see that they obtained an ACV, in March as the trust did the previous December.
I would be sorry to see it go, as I lived in Springfields, and this and the Valley were my fathers favourite pub.
Did Cllr Don Austen turn up for this, he lives in the Village, and along with the Cllrs Gillmans I am sure would support keeping this community asset. I think there is a big battle to fight though on this one, good to see the local community behind this.
The only councillor I was aware of being there was John Fahy, but I didn't catch everyone's names. It would unprecedented if they pull this off. £950k is a lot of money for a failing pub and there would still be a lot of work and money needed to make it viable. You have to admire the commitment of those behind it, but it's a big ask.
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It sounds like the only hope for it is to do up the substantial rooms above the pub and use it as a B&B for people going to the 02 or The Valley. They will never sell enough beer and food to make a profit. This model has been successfully used by The Pelton Arms, who get by thanks to rooms and bands. The guy behind the Pelton is supporting the campaign to save the Swan and is involved in the working group, I believe.ken from bexley said:
As my posting stated RBG registered this as a community asset, not unusual, especially at RBG quite a few on there.iaitch said:Is the pub a going concern? Maybe business is bad because no one goes there, then when it's threatened with closure/development everyone says it a community asset.
Hopefully people will support the Swan, perhaps there is a way to rejuvinate the pub, but it looks a tough job with the asking price.I do not mean 'tart it up with a fake makeover'. As I stated I have an affectionate memory of the swan, as I lived minutes away from it's doorsteps. At the same time I would hate to see the bugle close as I do use that, pub and was in there on Tuesday as it happens. And they have been very supportive of the trust, so a bit of a 'hobsons choice' for me personally.
But is this a the fate of pubs, apartments and Tesco express. No thanks, housing is important, but they are building hundreds of apartments down at North Greenwich. Hopefully your local will not close
All businesses in Charlton reflect the fortunes of the football club. Big crowds mean thriving businesses. Everyone is suffering at the moment. The Swan was a decent pub in the Prem days, great for matchdays at least. Last season, after a loss, it would be almost empty.
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I had a decent pint of Doom in there Tuesday. Trouble is, it soon ran out. I don't think they have enough trade to keep a lot of ale on, so they always have bottles as back up as they can't afford to waste beer. (Who can?!)superchrissypowell said:
Don't live in Charlton but have been on numerous occasions on both non-match and match days. I havent been since the summer (as it is a dive) so it may have got better.Curb_It said:
Do you live/drink in Charlton oh "superchrissypowell"?superchrissypowell said:The White Swan is a dive...hence why no-one drinks there...would rather drink in the groubd and that is saying something!
Please tell.
Like someone else has said, the beer is crap in there. I only ever drank bottled beer
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The Swan is a classic British pub which is sadly going to waste. It has so much potential.
In recent years its had a long line of failed managers who cant get a handle on it at all so trade has dwindled off. The two blokes that took it over and gave it a refurb had a try but it needs a bit more. Its got a great garden - everything is there. If the Pelton bloke got it then residents of Charlton would be very lucky.
Whats happened to the pubs in Charlton in recent years is a crying shame. Will never forgive that fool for wrecking the Oak as a locals pub.3 -
Yes, the reburb was excellent and for a while it seemed to thrive (although I only saw it on a matchday). This season the ale has been awful on too many occasions so I've been back down The Oak for a drop of Adnams.
I hope someone saves it as we'll need more pubs next season when we're back in the Premiership ;-)1 -
lived near charlton village for 20 years and set foot inside it twice (admitedly not for a good 15 years now) had to go back in the 2nd time to check that it really was that bad....and it was.
Used to drink the the Bugle0 - Sponsored links:
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Thanks Vincenzo, I do not think this pub is going to get into the best pub guide, but as you say the potential is there especially with some enterprising owners, The 'Pelton' being a good template. By sheer fluke I noticed Jay Rayner was doing a live broadcast from the Assembly rooms last night, hopefully someone may have asked him his opinion/help on the Swan. I do remember a time when the assembly rooms themselves were under threat!. As you say though the asking price is going to be a big hurdle to overcome. Perhaps there is some enterprising person who may be able to turn part of the pub into a micro pub, with some decent food.?. Pubs do hold a special place in communities, but they need to be run on a good financial basis, delivering what there customers want, at a price that is good value in my opinion. I do not claim to be a pub expert, or against change. Small business enterprises wether it be butchers, Pub owners, or greengrocers, need support from the community, and offer good value, and good customer service.0
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Was worried you meant the White Swan in Ash. Now that's a place to go for a decent size fish n chips .0
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I think you misunderstand the situation. No one is saying it's a community pub now. There's a group of people who would like it to become one. That is, a pub that is owned by the community of Charlton Village and run for that community.iaitch said:Is the pub a going concern? Maybe business is bad because no one goes there, then when it's threatened with closure/development everyone says it a community asset.
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The Bugle isn't too bad.
The Harveys and Doombar are drinkable.1 -
To save the swan you need some locals to be willing to buy and run the pub. Near me just such a thing happend at The Ivydale which had been designated an asset of community value. It is now a great pub with a good atmosphere and manager who knows what he is doing. It specialises in local0
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Painful to hear the chap from the Pelton arms had a bid rejected for it.
That would of led to a serious remake of the swan If the pelton is anything to go by.
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Do go on.msomerton said:To save the swan you need some locals to be willing to buy and run the pub. Near me just such a thing happend at The Ivydale which had been designated an asset of community value. It is now a great pub with a good atmosphere and manager who knows what he is doing. It specialises in local
You don't mean the Ivyhouse do you? Over Nunhead way? That is a cracker and the community model that the people on the Swan campaign are after. In fact, some fellers involved in saving the Ivyhouse were at the meeting, offering help and advice.0 -
Yes I do, sorry allways do that with the name, and yes is a bloody good pub. Both the beer and staff top notch, and before it became a community pub was a bit of a dive.0
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Back in the 1970s this pub was called the Newlands Tavern and was a gig on the pub-rock circuit that sustained bands like Dr Feelgood, Racing Cars, Bees Make Honey, Byzantium, Kokomo...Vincenzo said:
Do go on.msomerton said:To save the swan you need some locals to be willing to buy and run the pub. Near me just such a thing happend at The Ivydale which had been designated an asset of community value. It is now a great pub with a good atmosphere and manager who knows what he is doing. It specialises in local
You don't mean the Ivyhouse do you? Over Nunhead way? That is a cracker and the community model that the people on the Swan campaign are after. In fact, some fellers involved in saving the Ivyhouse were at the meeting, offering help and advice.
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It's hard to imagine it being a dive now. As you say, the beer and staff are top notch. And yo can see it's a good venue as well. Hats off to the locals for saving it and finding a top manager. I only hope the Swan can do similar.msomerton said:Yes I do, sorry allways do that with the name, and yes is a bloody good pub. Both the beer and staff top notch, and before it became a community pub was a bit of a dive.
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