The William Morris, Merton Abbey Mills

I've read through these posts and no-one has said anything that captures the essence of what this pub once was. People these days don't have a clue!
Today it is a "ghost" of what it once was. I've been there a few times in recent years and I'm appalled by what I have experienced. Its like an abandoned building now; mostly empty - even on a Friday and Saturday night!
The upstairs, which was a great place to drink and relax is now always closed - which is baffling as it was one of the pub's attractions!
When it first opened it was nice and quaint - different from any other pub in the district - but between 1993 and 1998 it really took off and became popular. This pub from Friday evening to Sunday evening - and even sometimes in the week - was teeming with people; five deep at the bar.
Of course it was difficult getting a drink, but nevertheless, the atmosphere was magic. The people were happier and friendlier in those days and the pub had various nooks and crannies to sit and drink or eat your meals - which were always "top-drawer"! It had a Carvery in those days.
I think Rick was the Landlord during those years, and my wife and I had our reception there upstairs. There were quiz nights, and I remember the actors from The Bill used to drink in there often.

Unfortunately, Rick and his wife left in 1998 and it was taken over by a single manager - a young guy. He had it refurbished . . . and everyone had high hopes, but really he ruined it. The bar was extended into an oval in the centre of the pub like an American bar, the billiard table went and the upstairs was eventually closed and was never reopened much to my knowledge. It soon began losing customers and that's when the pub began to go downhill.
The pub has now lost its appeal with people - especially those who remember better days and I only go there now to recall good memories and have a relaxing drink by the river, which is the pub's only redeeming feature now.
Members of staff come and go are always different when I go in there; you can never get to know them - and many are from some eastern-european country.
You can't warm to the pub or the people there anymore.

It needs a married couple to run this pub - not a manager who is never there.
Perhaps then it could bring the punters back who used to enjoy it and perhaps the atmosphere it once had.
At the moment the magic has been lost - and perhaps forever now! Its just not the same, and I blame the up and coming generations of managers and staff who simply have no idea on how to run a place like that!
The potential is there, but no-one who has run this place since the late 90s, seems to know or care about bringing the best out of it or restore it to its former glory. Abbey Mills is not the same as it once was - since the property developers have moved in . . . KFC - yuk!!
The 2000s decade has seen everything go downhill anyway and sadly that is reflected in what this pub and Abbey Mills in general has become.

G. from Surrey.

25 Jun 2009 17:53