NorfolkNog

I see that Royalls have advertised their Royall Diamond for sale to be available at the end of the 2016 season. I wonder if they might let any more go before they close completely. All very sad.

I'm confident it will be sorted soon Trevor. In the meantime I'm sure Paul would be happy to answer any queries

A very warm welcome to Swancraft as official sponsors!

Hi Iain, sorry, Grrrrrrrrr, spellchecker that's the boy Some of the best beers I've tried recently, very impressed. A little bit of what you fancy does you good Iain

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One for Ian, just tried a couple of beers from the Swanmay Brewery (superb Scottish beers) at the Tap in York, very impressed :-)

Some interesting points raised over this. The White Horse (the Upton one) was bought out by the community and has been very successful. They were given the opportunity to raise the money over (I think) 2 or three years). Ray Norman had run the pub for most of his life from starting work as a barman to actually buying it from the Pubco. It is supported by the village although there are those who have bought shares but don’t use the pub. The reasoning for this is that it increases property values, which is fair enough if it helps the pub. The community have wisely kept it pretty much as it was apart from knocking through the small room on the left. They now do live music, bingo etc and sell quality local ales such as Humpty Dumpty etc. A fine example of how a village pub can work. Similar story at the Neatishead White Horse. I regularly visited when it was a Pubco pub. I thought it was one of the most unspoilt pubs on the Broads but it did very little trade. You could go in and there would be half a dozen people in. The landlord told me he got very little trade from the village. Along came Rick, invested and really turned the pub around. I’ve said before I miss the cosy parlour feel but really it’s good to see it doing so well today. Trade comes from various sources, local, holiday makers and people travel from further afield. I have friends in Norwich who go their regularly. Key to success – no Pubco, a dedicated, knowledgeable owner, quality food and quality beers both real ale and craft. A very popular pub and deservedly so. And so to the poor old Berney. It’s been running as a pub since the mid fifties, largely with great success. There has never been any land access for the public that I’m aware of. However latterly it fell into the hands of the current (presumably bankrupt owner) and this is where the problems started. Note the parallel with the Golden Galleon. Unrealistic expectations. John and Tracy knew Chris Shepherd and took the pub over from him after he died. John and Tracy did an excellent job in my humble opinion. They loved and had a good knowledge of the Broads. They were excellent licensees. John is a qualified electrician and could turn his hand to practically everything that needed doing at the Berney. They understood that summer is busy and basically you use this to work through the leaner months. Many pubs on the Broads understand this, it’s the seasonal nature of the trade. However the thing that did for John and Tracy was the rent. The freeholder had expectations which were completely out of step with what the business could reasonably support. I firmly believe that the Berney could be viable as a pub. OK, there is no community as such. But there are people who travel on foot, either walkers or visitors via the train. There is the trade from boats, even without those who sat on board and drink Stella. The problem is compounded by all the uncertainty since John and Tracy left and the fact that the pub has been closed more often than it was open. This would need to be built up again. Anyone thinking of buying the pub would need capital and be prepared to wait for a return on it. In addition they would need a thorough understanding of the Broads and the people who use the area. In addition the operator would ideally have practical skills as getting contactors in for every little job would be difficult and expensive. We need another John and Tracy IMHO who could have a chance of running the pub on a level playing field. It does sadden me to see the pub being declared as unviable. It will need a special person or persons to do it but I for one am not writing the pub off and look forward to visiting it again in happier times. Of course not every pub can work. But I still maintain that when they are out of the hands of pubcos or greedy individuals they can be a great success. I could quote many examples of ex-pubco pubs which have gone from strength to strength. Look at the Fat Cat in Norwich. A once failing back street Courage pub, now one of the most successful pubs in the country. If a pub is run well, on a level playing field, it can do well wherever it’s located. Fingers crossed.

9 out of 10. couldn't get question 9

No, not far fetched at all Samuel. Probably the shining example is the White Horse at Upton, shares owned by the community and doing very well too. Even had a visit from Charlie boy recently. Free a pub from a Pubco or avaricious landowner and anything is possible

Yes I think the pedigree of the Kings Head (and the Recruiting Sergeant too) are worth a thought.

That's the one Robin.

Although probably quite within their rights, I suspect Richardsons won't pursue the hirers for the repair costs. Think back a few years to the Oyster Gem saga. Although the hirers were successfully taken to court for failing to navigate safely Richardsons didn't claim costs, probably because it would have been more hassle than it was worth. Just a thought.

Or even better have a pit stop at the Swan for a Humpty Dumpty half way up The track Iain mentions comes out at the side of the Kings Head if memory serves.

I'm with Peter on this one Truly superb pub. It just goes to show that a back street local can be a success with an excellent landlord and free of Pubco tie!

Is this the boy? https://whatpub.com/pubs/COL/11211/dog-pheasant-east-mersea

Certainly hope so!

Agree, the Angel is a nice pub, we always call in and the Humpty Dumpty is the icing on the cake too! There used to be a lovely garden at the back which I think they are going to tidy up.

I didn't realise that Rick, thank you. That makes it even worse, New River are the Grim Reaper where pubs are concerned. I just hope it can be rescued. On a side note I was also pleased to see the Falgate open again and trading regular hours. I wish Ian and Co luck with their venture too.

What a diverse thread! Loved the Maids Head, superb pub, steeped in history. Now a hairdressers or boutique, what a waste. Another victim of Watneys and the subsequent pubcos. I assume it’s a listed building so at least it’s not been demolished or become a Co-op – yet..... Can’t comment on the commuting to London bit. Poor old Potter Heigham! I’m not sure that it deserves such bad press. I always head for the burger van. We tend to go in winter and it’s obviously popular with the locals. Mrs Nog loves going into Lathams, Ok it’s full of tat but that’s its attraction! And the poor old Broadshaven! Never has a pub been so maligned. It’s got exactly the same problem as the Berney Arms. One is owned by a Pubco (Punch) the other by an individual. But they have one thing in common. The owners have not made any attempt to invest in or improve the properties yet have tried to extract every last drop of rent out of them. Small wonder that they are in the state they are in now. You often get comments along the lines that you would have to mad to take either on. I think both pubs could work if the owners were not trying to extract a return from them which is totally unrealistic. In think in both cases the riverside location has given the respective owners the idea that they are a licence to print money which of course they are not. Fingers crossed we may get a positive result on both counts.

Sounds a fun idea. Lifejackets essential I would think! http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/tourism/pub_and_paddle_the_new_way_to_wet_your_whistle_in_norwich_this_summer_1_4533789?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social_Icon&utm_campaign=in_article_social_icons

Yep, you are both spot on the nail there.

It's not made clear in the Fleurets advert but I suspect it's the lease which is up for grabs rather than the freehold, which would limit the possibilities somewhat

Good news indeed Please keep us posted (as far as confidentiality allows of course)

Ha! I shall skate rapidly over the "S" word but would love to see your table dancing one for the meet possibly?