Topic ID 103
Does anyone know of the progress or otherwise of the proposed Wetherspoons at the old Con club. Dates are set for opening of business but these pass. Work has yet to begin, have Wetherspoons got fed up with all the hassle and given up ? Been waiting for a local Wetherspoons for years.
Reply ID 450
As far as i am aware Witherspoons are still negotiating with the Council regarding the resiting and maintainance of the public toilets. These currently outside Castle Hall take up a large amount of space so Witherspoons wanted the land to maximise floor area. Apparently the council are asking Witherspoons to maintain the toilets for eternity or 999 years which they are loath to do. Sounds like one of the Labours of Hercules. Also since University of Hertfordshire have moved their campus up to Hatfield and with it, most of the student drinkers Witherspoons may have got cold feet about their ability to fill the venue (so one or two publicans have remarked). I don't think Hertford is saturated with drinking venues at present or else why the long queues outside Stonehouse and Baroosh. On the other hand Witherspoons appear to be dragging their heels over the development which is now not thought to begin until mid 2004 - according to the usual unconfirmed sources. They have already had to fend off objection(s) to the name - The Last Witch, now Jane Wenham. Big brother is watching you.
Reply ID 451
I hope whoever does go forward with the site makes a feature out of the beautiful old castle wall at the bottom of the garden. That could make a lovely showpiece for an upmarket beer garden. It would be wonderful lit up at night. It doesn't really go with the current toilet block though!
Reply ID 494
I think Wetherspoons had agreed to re-build the toilets as part of the original permission. For the council to insist that they maintain them seems a bit cheeky (presumably the council look after them now, so why not once they have been built a brand spanking new replacement?). Some time back, I read that Wetherspoons's were not doing as well as they once were - maybe they're in no hurry to spend on developing the site?
Reply ID 496
There are now rumours going around the town that they have dropped the idea of the Working Mens Club and are looking at developing the old Mercury building. Make a huge saving on the Harpic if they did.
Reply ID 498
Dont mind where it may be situated, as long as we get one. I drive to Harlow or Cheshunt Wetherspoons at the moment, great value when eating out with a young family. A wetherspoons in Hertford would be very greatly used, as they are in other areas.
Reply ID 499
How do they survive? I occassionally pop into London and have a drink with my brother at Old Street. There is a Wetherspoons pub which sells Fosters at £1.39 / pint. Nice friendly atmosphere as well. Next door in The Litten Tree it's twice that. Even the Golden Griffin sells it at almost £2.50 / pint.
Reply ID 500
It's true that Wetherspoons has been having a tough time and has drastically scaled back its new opening plans. I wouldn't bet on seeing the Hertford one before the back end of next year, if at all.
Reply ID 501
How do they survive? Basically by buying short dated stock and selling by volume. However, as my friends in Highbury tell me they have managed to drive down the average cost of a pint in that part of the world; which is no bad thing at all. One of the reasons why Macs got in very quickly to stop them buying the old Barclays building. In doing so, they stumbled on the successful formula we have come to love as 'Baroosh'. Smarten it up, charge high prices and listen to the ringing of the tills. Still have trouble believing the scripts in Coronation Street or Emmerdale when a round costs less than £10. Told by my step daughter who lives in frozen north that this is true to life.
Reply ID 512
Am I the only one who thinks Wetherspoons pubs are the most unattractive, soul-less places to drink. The longer we DON'T have one in Hertford the better.
Reply ID 533
But Bennyboy you wont have to use the Wetherspoons if and when we get one. I will continue to use my other two watering holes in Hertford, and will make good use of a Wetherspoons, as will all of my friends.
Reply ID 536
Perhaps Bennyboy would like to recommend a pub in Hertford.
Reply ID 538
The best pub in town is surely the Old Cross? - Mike
Reply ID 539
Now Mike - you have totally destroyed my image of you as a bearded, mountain-climbing White Horse type ! Just kidding! My other half loves the White Horse and he doesn't have a beard!
Reply ID 540
Try and drink in the Old Cross but my girlfriend prefers to sit down (which we've never yet managed there) so normally end up in the White Horse which is equally as good.
Reply ID 541
I wonder how many of us have stood next to each other at the bar not realising who we were (if you get my drift!)
Reply ID 542
I have stood in the bar of many a town centre pub and not recognised anybody - usually because I have had one too many halves. However, if anyone is in the Old Cross Tea Rooms, standing or otherwise, would be pleased to say 'hello' but draw the line at buying the whole of Hertford a pint.
Reply ID 543
[quote] Perhaps Bennyboy would like to recommend a pub in Hertford. [/quote] Well anywhere with decent beer and friendly atmosphere is good enough for me - The White Horse maybe or The George IV in Great Amwell. I didnt mean to sound too negative but the site has great potential to be a great pub and Im very dubious as to whether Wetherspoons will fulfil its potential - I hope Im wrong!
Reply ID 549
Someone in the market yesterday told me that Witherspoons have definitely pulled out of the site in The Wash. Apparently owing to their reluctance to clean out the toilets for the next millenium. Any other news on this which i have a funny feeling is where we started on this topic.
Reply ID 584
As months go by it appears obvious that Wetherspoons will not come to Hertford. ~They post comments in The Mercury, occassionally showing their interest; however the pipeline to opening is going to be at least four months so you can ignore all 'news' after August as no operator will open later than mid December. If they do come to Hertford, my guess is that it won't be to the working men's club (why should they have to look after council toilets anyway?) but to to another venue in town. There are talks about other available buildings such as the Mercury building which could be practical as their LLoyds brand challenging Baroosh and The Stone House. However I think with their financial situation and, more importantly the fact that the only 'meat' left in the market is a late night offer I don't think they will bother
Reply ID 596
Wednesday's Hertford Times reports that work will start in March, with opening in September, subject to agreement. I suspect this represents Wetherspoon's ongoing position. The article also featured an artist's impression of what the new pub would look like, which was a surprise as it was not what I expected - alot bigger.
Reply ID 629
Obviously someone couldn't wait for JDW to start work on the old Working Mens Club site because they tried to burn it down this morning. Failed!!