BITE user comments - Beowulf
Comments by Beowulf
(This should read!)...
Bad news, Mark, the manager who was responsible for all the encouraging changes has now left!
24 Dec 2009 10:48
Bad news, Mark, the manager who was responsible has now left!
24 Dec 2009 10:45
I passed The Bull's Head every day on my work in Birmingham and I always said I'd go in for a pint, it was a traditional Victorian corner terrace pub. The pub has been closed for over twelve months because I assumed, for refurbishment.
The Birmingham Mail has recently reported that it will shortly be reopen, as........... a mosque.
All the building work was carried out without permission on probably what was a listed building. Birmingham City council said if they had known what the new owners had planned to do they would not have approved planning permission. It has only come to the attention of the council recently because the new owners have applied for retrospective planning permission for the building. The council reluctantly granted it stating that it was better to have a full mosque than an empty pub.
6 Jun 2009 13:46
A retired lecturer became the new manager a few months ago. He was totally committed to The Pretty Bricks being a success and mounted an impressive publicity campaign for the pub, with articles written about it in The Daily Telegraph and other national and local newspapers.
He has now left.
The pub has been shut now for over a week. The ex-manager blames the lack of support from the Pubco that owns it. I was a regular and I've seen seen some excellent managers arrive with enthusiasm and leave in sorrow.
John, who was the manager a few years ago when it was packed most nights, left because the owners kept putting his rent up.
Companies like Punch Taverns have been squeezing their managers for years now with the result being that they are leaving in droves. Punch have said that because of the economic climate they will be giving their managers discounts. Pubco's like Punch don't see themselves like the old breweries such as Ansells and M & B did, they see themselves as companies that make money out of the properties they own e.g. the pubs. Lets hope they change their business philosophy before it is too late.
17 Jan 2009 12:25
I've been visiting this pub for over twenty years and have always left feeling I wanted to return. That was until recently. The barmaid's mobile telephone rang and she held up her hand gesturing to the customers to wait while she chatted away for five minutes. The other barmaid standing behind the bar said she'd love to serve but she wasn't 'due on' for another five minutes.
I don't know if the manager of the pub reads these comments but if he/she is, could the concept of customer service be explained to these women?
2 Jan 2009 13:48
Good beer, attentive bar staff and a nice atmosphere. Oh, and scratchings too!
2 Nov 2008 12:18
"No high chairs for a child...."!
This comment sums up why pubs are dying. Pubs are for adults who want to relax. I've lost count of the pubs I have been to where children are running around screaming their heads off with the 'parents' looking on doing nothing!
26 Oct 2008 08:56
I hate to say it Nige, the Wellie does now smell rather rank.
23 Oct 2008 09:24
The pub has closed now. It is going to be a chinese restuarant.
6 Oct 2008 10:12
Nice pub but do something about the Bathams, it just does not taste right!
28 Jun 2008 10:03
Went back to The Church on Friday night. What a relief! I was made to feel welcome and the atmosphere was warm and relaxed. The pub feels like a pub again. Judging by the large number of customers enjoying themselves (young and old) I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way. In reply to the previous report, The Church IS moving with the times, Vicky is putting her own stamp on the pub. The way she is doing it is the polite but business like way, forming lasting relationships with your customers so they come back. Lee always reminded me of the soldier who said "It's not me out of step, it's the others." Running a pub requires more than alienating your customers and donning a greasy cap and moth eaten scarf.
28 Jun 2008 09:57
If you want to visit a place where chavs bring their kids and let them run around screaming and annoying people, then this is the pub for you. Bank's could have a real treasure on their hands with this pub but they don't seem to bother. I was one of the first regulars since the pub opened but over the years the place has gone down hill.
25 May 2008 12:51
Somers Sports and Social Club, Halesowen
Fantastic pub! I'm not a member but gained entry through my CAMRA membership. A large selection of real ales and good food served. Staff are very warm and make you feel very welcome.
4 May 2008 11:22
The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham
I like London Pride but not at this place. Staff lack people skillss.
24 Mar 2008 12:36
The Old Contemptibles, Birmingham
Great pub with friendly bar staff. Good beer and atmosphere. I went on Saturday evening, good crowd and no suits.
24 Mar 2008 12:33
I loved this pub and am saddened to see what the landlord is doing to it. I travelled a fair distance for the Bathams and conversation with the pub's characters. I have witnessed on several occasions Lee (the manager) engaging in ridiculous and insulting arguements with regulars to the extent that they've stopped going. What was once a genuine pub has now been 'improved' by melted candles stuck on the mantlepiece above the fireplace and all the original decorations removed. The lighting inside the pub is virtually non-existant. I regret to say the Bathams is now dire, so all of my reasons to visit this pub have now disappeared. If you wish to know what the pub looked like a couple of years ago, visit the Birmingham Camra web page and look in the 'pubs section', you will be astounded! Not so long ago The Church was the Birmingham CAMRA Pub of the Year. I hope it will be again in the not too distant future.
24 Mar 2008 10:48
The Foley Arms, Streetly
Had a pint there last week. In the central area of the pub is a something straight out of an amusement arcade, It's full of soft toys and it's about the size of a medium sized wardrobe! There were four or five children playing hide and seek, running around and barging into people holding their drinks. Meanwhile four thugs are playing pool (badly) and staring menacingly at people around the table from under their Burberry baseball hats.
Sadly, I can remember a time not too long ago when this pub was a nice place to drink.
16 Jun 2011 18:35