The Plough, East Sheen

My last report was a year ago so I thought I'd wait and see, and wait, and wait.
The Plough needs business but it aint coming in. Locals drink elsewhere. Enterprise Inns are probably still charging the tenants an arm and a leg whilst the tenants ploughed their own cash into a 12 month refurb. Looks like a Titanic struggle between Starship Enterprise and captains Quirk to go where no man has gone before. Its just a matter of time before they hit the Black Hole.

We know 1 pub shuts every day in English Shires, but this is an affluent area with over 10,000 drinkers within walking distance. If 1000 people each put �2000 into a co-operative we could make them an offer they could not refuse, appoint our chosen staff and run it as a members club with guests.

As it stands, they want our money and we want our pub back, and if nothing changes we'll all end up with nothing.

There were once four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.
An important job arrived, and Everybody was asked to do it.
Everybody was sure Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have done it but Nobody did it.
Somebody was angry, because it was Everybody's job.
But Everybody thought Anybody could do it.
Nobody realised Everybody would not do it.
So Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

What say others?

23 Jan 2009 16:43

The Plough, East Sheen

The Plough was closed early May for a "6 week" refurb by new owners who wanted to convert it into a "gastro-pub" facility littered with tables to raise the takings. It is now Halloween and the ghost of Banquo wanders its derelect building site. A frightening example of how a few can so quickly despoil a community hot-spot hoping a make a bit more money at the expense of the many. The Plough was characterful, interesting and unique and had managed to retain its original character and charm with "old world" fixtures and fittings. A really large bar area gave space to talk in groups or think and sup on your own. It had been a very popular going concern for a few hundred years, and was at the time of closing one of the highest ranked pubs in the country with a loyal bunch of drinkers both local and from afar. Well. for those who wish to travel from afar - please don't. Nobody appears to know what is happening, when this once charming place will re-open, and what guise the ghastly refurb will take.
Whoever now has this mess on their hands and wishes to avoid blood on the carpet please note a few points:

Over 90% of the paying loyal Plough customers did not want a gastro-pub and did not appreciate being told to change their habits at the drop of a hat for the ching of a till.
There are already too many here-today gone-tomorrow local restaurants and gastro-pubs.
The Victoria Gastro-Pub is just two minutes walk away with reviews and write-ups, albeit pricey and therefore less popular.
The previous Plough food-fare was greatly enjoyed.
The customers have gone elsewhere to places like The White Cross Richmond and other "genuine" pubs.

If you want them back you need to consult with them about what they want, before you despoil their wishes.

Perhaps the Plough owner-manager ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, or Future would care to ask us what we would like to see.

If not, then the new owners will find deeply furrowed broughs on their faces and no Xmas turkey on their plates.

Any other local opinions?

31 Oct 2007 09:09