Three Towns Forum
The Local => Local News & Discussion => Topic started by: Fester on September 15, 2010, 12:55:20 am
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As an addition to this thread, lets have people nominate their FAVOURITE PUB ...whether past or present....with a short explanation of why.
I'll kick off with The Cross Keys on Madoc St, Its a very traditional down to earth pub, and I met most of my friends that I now have in Llandudno in there.
They were very kind and welcoming ever since I first visited the own regularly.
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As an addition to this thread, lets have people nominate their FAVOURITE PUB ...whether past or present....with a short explanation of why.
I'll kick off with The Cross Keys on Madoc St, Its a very traditional down to earth pub, and I met most of my friends that I now have in Llandudno in there.
They were very kind and welcoming ever since I first visited the own regularly.
I think this would be better as a separate thread Fester. Z**
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"Make it so" D)
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The Links. X:((
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The Queen Victoria - When we first moved in (December last year) it was one of the few pubs (Weatherspoons obviously another one) offering evening pub meals. Good quality food at reasonable prices and a good selection of beer.
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I have to agree with both Steve and The Medz...(Nice to see that you finally made it on here Colin!!)
The Links and The Queen Vic have been well refurbished in recent years, the food in BOTH pubs is very good indeed....and I get to play darts in both of them!! *&(
In The Links, the homemade chicken curry is top notch, In the Vic, its hard to beat the Lamb or Beef Sunday Lunch for value...
Rumble...rumble....
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Sorry about the delay in getting on board. Exchange visit with the Pope. I went across to his place and now he's come over to the Uk.
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I just calculated the number of years I've known the Cross Keys (Llandudno) for. I remember walking there with my mother in the blackout - so it must have been a Saturday night, Summer 1944, and then I would have been 6 years old. So 66 years. :speechless: At that time The Cross had a side door at the left of the frontage. That led to a corridor with a door off it immediately to the right which led to a smallish room called the Snug. Further down the corridor was an off sales hatch from which Mam would buy me a glass of lemonade, park me on the bench which ran alongside the wall of the frontage at right angles to it, then go into the snug to meet my Nain and any of her sisters there. Our outing lasted about an hour during which I'd get regular visits to see if I was OK and hadn't wandered off. ZXZ
Much later on my favourite had to be the London in Upper Mostyn Street. When we were playing at the Stage Door, the London had slipped in to be my temporary home and when the owner Roy (Watson) and Margot were absent I used to help run the pub with the then cellarman my old mate Mel Taylor. Long wet days! See to the cellar and the kitchen in the morning, serve through opening times, separate fighting customers, run the darts team (a 16 year old Nev Southall was a star), then, as we had accommodation, the bar was sometimes open until 4 am. The Welsh Opera were regulars when in town as was the national rugby team and many others, as well as regulars 'Chalkie' and 'Winnie' amongst others. Interestingly heady and sometimes foggy headed days.
Mike.
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I always thought Neville Southall was built more like a dart player than a footballer..
WWW
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Much later on my favourite had to be the London in Upper Mostyn Street. When we were playing at the Stage Door, the London had slipped in to be my temporary home and when the owner Roy (Watson) and Margot were absent I used to help run the pub with the then cellarman my old mate Mel Taylor. Long wet days! See to the cellar and the kitchen in the morning, serve through opening times, separate fighting customers, run the darts team (a 16 year old Nev Southall was a star), then, as we had accommodation, the bar was sometimes open until 4 am. The Welsh Opera were regulars when in town as was the national rugby team and many others, as well as regulars 'Chalkie' and 'Winnie' amongst others. Interestingly heady and sometimes foggy headed days.
Would that have been before or after Alex Munro had it, Mike?
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Much later on my favourite had to be the London in Upper Mostyn Street. When we were playing at the Stage Door, the London had slipped in to be my temporary home and when the owner Roy (Watson) and Margot were absent I used to help run the pub with the then cellarman my old mate Mel Taylor. Long wet days! See to the cellar and the kitchen in the morning, serve through opening times, separate fighting customers, run the darts team (a 16 year old Nev Southall was a star), then, as we had accommodation, the bar was sometimes open until 4 am. The Welsh Opera were regulars when in town as was the national rugby team and many others, as well as regulars 'Chalkie' and 'Winnie' amongst others. Interestingly heady and sometimes foggy headed days.
Would that have been before or after Alex Munro had it, Mike?
It would have been after Alex had it Dave. I remember Roy & Margo Watson running it in the mid 1970's. I was in school with their son Brendan.
Do you still have that newspaper cutting, announcing Alex taking over the London Dave? I seem to remember it was around 1961?
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1966, as I recall from the back of the this cutting (which I found in the Library). There's about 4 or 5 folders full of info about Llandudno's pubs but it's all 'out of bounds' for 4 months whilst they fiddle about with the place. :huh1:
[smg id=3]
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Could anyone tell me if the Winnie Micox spoke about in the London pub was Winnie Blakeway off the orme, She loved dancing.
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One of my favourite Pubs is the Rhos Fynach at Rhos On Sea, always very welcoming and a good atmosphere. They have a roaring fire in the Winter months in their massive fireplace (which apparently hides a secret passage to the chapel on the seashore):
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/3203786658_0956f0c025_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/3203786658/)
Rhos Fynach Pub (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/3203786658/#) by SnakeCorp (http://www.flickr.com/people/davellandudno/), on Flickr
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A nice place for lunch on a sunny day Dave. I've also heard that the "secret" passage leads to a house along the prom!
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I can confirm that I, too, have heard about the secret passage from the fireplace. The only thing is----I heard that it was from the fireplace in the old ruins on Llys Euryn. In fact, as a child I even went so far as to take a spade up there and start digging!!! I wont bother telling you the result
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If true, that would have been one heck of a tunnel, Mike! :laugh:
I've actually had a good look in the back of the Rhos Fynach fireplace and there's no sign of any tunnel now, think it may have been blocked off when the place was rebuilt:
"In 1990, a Llandudno businessman called Ray Gardner (of Tiffanys Cafe Bar fame) signed a 99 year lease with Colwyn Council for the former Cegin Y Mynach Tearooms and, at a cost of £350,000, it was then completely renovated and extended into the Rhos Fynach pub/restaurant we know today, which opened in November 1992. The Council (now CCBC) still own the Freehold and it is now let to Mr Robert Skelley (the current Landlord)."
There's also a secret hiding place in the fireplace at Penrhyn Old Hall that you can see.
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My favourite pub was the Mail Coach in Conwy when Dave had it. Excellent atmosphere, always something to entertain from football to live entertainment. Dave is now the Steward of the Legion in Conwy (now, due to his involvement has seen the last of adverse publicity) Lets hope decent tennants take over the Mail Coach within the next few weeks as Conwy people can be very loyal and will not enter the pub with the current managers insitue.
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Aren't the current managers the guys from the Town House in Llandudno?
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Aren't the current managers the guys from the Town House in Llandudno?
Yes and there in lies the problem, however just been told it closes tomorrow. The Pub-co will no doubt have someone else in line for it though, we have an idea who but, nothing definate yet.
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PubCos have ruined the pubs industry. :(
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PubCos have ruined the pubs industry. :(
Pub Cos have systematically strangled the living daylights from our local pubs and the local landlords and landladies, when you consider your paying phenominal rents and at least in some cases 90p extra on each pint you pour. Legalised robbery. On this issue I could rant on for hrs and given my time again I would train as a barrister and make it my mission to collect nads on spikes Dave. (soap box dissmounted)
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The Mail Coach---any of you Conwy people remember when the "mighty" Joe Young was the landlord. I bet you see his son's name every day---Roland Young haulage contractor.
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PubCos have ruined the pubs industry. :(
Pub Cos have systematically strangled the living daylights from our local pubs and the local landlords and landladies, when you consider your paying phenominal rents and at least in some cases 90p extra on each pint you pour. Legalised robbery. On this issue I could rant on for hrs and given my time again I would train as a barrister and make it my mission to collect nads on spikes Dave. (soap box dissmounted)
It's odd how this subject has come up, as I was talking to a friend only today how the PubCos are operating what is little better than a scam, by sucking in people to invest their life savings into a dream of 'owning their own pub', only to structure the legal agreement so that it is practically impossible for the tenants to make any sort of a living from it, through a combination of high rents and requirement to buy beer/spirits from only one supplier at artificially high prices. :(
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Yes, I've read an article on the PubCos scam ... its a shocking state of affairs when someone can plunge their life savings, redundancy money or loan into a pretty simple business,... only to realise that they have little or no chance of making a living.
BUT ...BEWARE... the same applies to driving schools (BSM in particular) ... and some taxi companies.
Now, I have to say that the lads who run the Townhouse are not bad guys at all, and I don't think the Conwy locals gave them a chance whilst in situ at The Mailcoach.
I understood that the ex landlord had no animosity to them, and he hoped that the locals would continue drinking there ... but it seems not.
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Yes, I've read an article on the PubCos scam ... its a shocking state of affairs when someone can plunge their life savings, redundancy money or loan into a pretty simple business,... only to realise that they have little or no chance of making a living.
BUT ...BEWARE... the same applies to driving schools (BSM in particular) ... and some taxi companies.
Now, I have to say that the lads who run the Townhouse are not bad guys at all, and I don't think the Conwy locals gave them a chance whilst in situ at The Mailcoach.
I understood that the ex landlord had no animosity to them, and he hoped that the locals would continue drinking there ... but it seems not.
The locals wouldn't go in there as the Lads from the Townhouse were aware of Daves fate before he was. They opperate with the same pubco. They were going in the Mail coach and be friending Dave, asking how business was etc, with the sole intention pulling the mat from under him. Disgraceful, as landlords or tennants we should be working on the same page, but not those two. I think its Gaz? defaced my mates car with a yellow chalk Pen he wrote "Obstruction" across her windscreen. She was parked outside her house, police were called, they knew it was him as his menu boards were written in the same pen. He told the police it must have been one of his staff !! The house across the road had it all on their CCTV. So maybe we haven't seen the real Gaz, but I beg to differ.
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Oh, that all sounds pretty serious stuff.
I must admit I have no knowledge of any of this ...but I'm not close to it.
I just went by what I heard locally round the pubs in both Tudno and Conwy, and what I read in the Weekly News in an interview with Dave.
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PubCos have ruined the pubs industry. :(
Hia Dave was told today that the Albion has been bought by a local micro brewer, lets hope so. Although you can't always believe whats said on the local bongo drums can you.
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PubCos have ruined the pubs industry. :(
Hia Dave was told today that the Albion has been bought by a local micro brewer, lets hope so. Although you can't always believe whats said on the local bongo drums can you.
That would be great news if its true. <:<:<:<
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I went on a mini pub crawl in Llandudno last night with a well known local reprobate, have to say my favourite pub was the King's Head. Sitting outside with a pint as dusk fell was great. :D
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4288157107_f5180228b7_z.jpg?zz=1) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/4288157107/)
Kings Head Pub, Llandudno (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/4288157107/) by SnakeCorp (http://www.flickr.com/people/davellandudno/), on Flickr
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...Ha ha ... A reprobate am I?
Well, I too enjoyed our pub crawl ... Z** Z**
but I'm surprised you remember it! You were singing by the time we went in there ! ZXZ ZXZ
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He can sing? Very interesting....
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I fear alcohol has clouded Fester's thinking, because I can't sing a note. ZXZ
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Really? Shurely we should be told....
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Our Pool team had a cup final in the Red Lion, Old Colwyn on Sunday night (we won too)
Hammie the dog was sat at the bar, couln't resist taking a photo of him. He had his own chair. Made me think, you don't see this anymore do you. Health and hygiene put paid to that. The pubs dog was often a proper character. I only see one regular dog in the pubs now and thats Zac (pepperami) Bargate in the Snowdon.
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Dogs like that add real character to a pub, I propose that all pubs must have a dog in the bar as part of the Licence! :D
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Went to the Kings Arms on Saturday night, haven't been there for months. Karaoke there. Singers were not a patch on you Fester. Wish we'd gone to the Clarence, but I dont really like it there to be honest. D)
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I reckon you mean The Carlton, but even in the Clarence, there are MANY better singers than me ...!
You know what, despite the bargain basement prices, the food is pretty damn good in The Carlton. Never had a bad experience, and that is NOT true of the Paladium.
Fest.
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I reckon you mean The Carlton, but even in the Clarence, there are MANY better singers than me ...!
Yes I did mean the Carlton, sorry Fester ))*
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No probs P ! $thanx$
I know I frequent some Dives, but even I stay out of The Clarence these days !! L0L
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The current tenants of the Cross Keys have handed their notice in and are leaving on the 19th January, according to their Facebook page.
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The current tenants of the Cross Keys have handed their notice in and are leaving on the 19th January, according to their Facebook page.
They didn't last very long. :o
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Marcus is a good guy, and the staff he recruited are really nice... and he has tried hard to make it successful, and also to secure a LOCAL person to take the lease on.
However, without some help from Enterprise or Mostyn Estates (The owners) then it was not viable.
I shall simply patronise the pub each Friday, up to the 19th January .. and then just hope for the best.
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I'm not too sure of the pubs in Llandudno (I know all the rest scattered over N.Wales) but I think I'm right in saying the Cross Keys is in Madoc Street. That said, this was once one of the better, reliable, steady pubs in town, and was owned by a brewery by the name of "Flowers" from Bristol. Further, it was their ONLY pub in North Wales (dont ask me how they economically delivered their beer there, I never understood how) As the drey (is that spelt right) trundled presumably along the A55 it dropped a few barrels off at the RAF club in Rhyl. Thats how I know, I consumed a barrel or two myself
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The Cross Keys is in Madoc St, and it as a proper pub.
Mike, I can tell you that astonishingly, The Keys still sells 'Flowers' bitter , hand pulled even up to today.
My father in law loves it, and can't wait to visit each time.
However, more than 50% of the time he visits, the 'towel is over the pump' .. and Flowers is Off!
He's unbearable when that happens..
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No probs P ! $thanx$
I know I frequent some Dives, but even I stay out of The Clarence these days !! L0L
Think if you managed to get in there you'd either fall through the holes in the floor or get bitten by something evil !! _))*
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The only pub in town that I have entered is The Albert! Is that a record? Z**
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The only pub in town that I have entered is The Albert! Is that a record? Z**
Could be, I have only been in 2, but never drunk anything other than lemonade in either ! And I live in the town.
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I see Fountains is in the news - I had no idea that Darren was the owner.... :o ;)
A PUB manager who was threatened with prosecution for breaking advertising laws has branded the move as ridiculous.
Darren Randale, of the Fountains Cafe and Bar in Llandudno, has spoken out against a letter from the council accusing the pub of breaching advertising laws.
The landlord is accused of breaching regulations by using a hearse to promote his Hallowe’en event last Sunday.
But the owner of the Mostyn Street pub insists he has done nothing illegal.
“When I received this letter, I was in disbelief,” said Darren. “We had a hearse advert for our Hallowe’en weekend, but the council said we hadn’t got planning permission to advertise it.
“How are we supposed to know that we need planning permission? It’s not doing anybody any harm.
“Wherever the hearse has been parked, we’ve paid for it. Lots of other businesses have passed comments on what a novel idea it is.
“The council says it’s in breach of advertising regulations, but then don’t highlight the regulations.”
Darren added that a similar hearse was used to promote the recent Rocky Horror Show by the council-run Venue Cymru.
“Does this mean that when a joiner goes to a building site with his van, that’s an ‘event’, or when coaches come into Llandudno with their names on the side, that's an ‘event’? How is this breaking a law?” he added.
“In the current economic climate you wonder whether the council has time to chase such small minded issues.
“It’s bringing people into town, you’ve got to do things like this. It brings a bit of enjoyment.”
But council officials remain adamant that consent is needed for vehicles advertising an event.
Planning officer for Conwy County Council Paula Jones explained: “Advertisement consent is not usually required to advertise a business on a vehicle.
“However, if the vehicle is being used principally for the display of advertisements, then consent is required.
“In this instance, concerns were raised from a number of sources and this is the second time the authority has investigated the owner about vehicles being used principally for the display of an advertisement.
“From our investigation it is clear the primary purpose for the vehicle was to advertise the Hallowe’en event at his business premises. “
http://www.northwalesweeklynews.co.uk/conwy-county-news/local-conwy-news/2010/11/04/llandudno-pub-manager-accused-of-breaking-advertising-regulations-55243-27594481/ (http://www.northwalesweeklynews.co.uk/conwy-county-news/local-conwy-news/2010/11/04/llandudno-pub-manager-accused-of-breaking-advertising-regulations-55243-27594481/)
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Fester-----I'm not really surprised they are out of Flowers bitter if it has to be brought from Bristol. At least when it was a Flowers pub back in the 60s I presume there was Flowers Mild as well,maybe that "new" drink Larger. Mike
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Re-The Fountains article by Dave..
Darren is referred to as Manager, Owner and Landlord at various points of the article .. but that is totally irrelevent.
What IS relevent, is the unbelievable petty small-mindedness of CCBC ..Once again!
The Fountains is the most attractive, best managed, and vibrant pub in this town ... so many others are grubby, run down, badly managed or even closed. That will be true of The Fountains if this persecution continues.
Businesses in this town very rarely come up with any interesting or attractive ideas, or invest any money ... The Hearse was one eye-catching idea, and obviously cost quite a bit to deck out. Fair play to them.
Are the Council determined to stamp on any little bit of creativity?
Paula Jones?? I can't help but notice that Paula Jones is the CCBC official behind this ... I recieved a letter from her TWO MONTHS ago saying she was investigating a planning / public safety complaint on my behalf ... I have heard nothing since. Now I see why, she is way too busy with the top urgent matter of an advert on a car.
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Darren is the manager.
Planning officer for Conwy County Council Paula Jones explained: “Advertisement consent is not usually required to advertise a business on a vehicle.
“However, if the vehicle is being used principally for the display of advertisements, then consent is required.
“In this instance, concerns were raised from a number of sources and this is the second time the authority has investigated the owner about vehicles being used principally for the display of an advertisement.
What a load of baloney. Okay, “Advertisement consent is not usually required to advertise a business on a vehicle. This means that if you owned a taxi with the company logo emblazoned on the doors, you could drive it with CCBC's consent as long as you're carrying passengers - ie- running a business.
“However, if the vehicle is being used principally for the display of advertisements, then consent is required. so, this means that if you want to drive the taxi without passengers, the vehicle will be used principally for the display of the advertisements on the doors, eg-, if you decide to drive the cab to ASDA to do a bit of shoppping on your day off, you will have to have written consent from CCBC?
Sounds like this Paula Jones is making up these rules as she goes along. Where's the By-Law that states these rules?
“From our investigation it is clear the primary purpose for the vehicle was to advertise the Hallowe’en event at his business premises. “
Yes, but it said the event was at Fountains which was advertising a business. ZXZ
Anyway, last time I drank in fountains nothing was advertised and it ended up being an event. WWW Z**
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What about the Panto?
Venu Cymru has a Honda wrapped in adverts every year !
????
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One would hope that that Honda, used by the Council to advertise Panto ...(I've seen it today) ...will have the relevent ''permissions'' if not its a scandal.
However even if it does, the fact remains that businesses in this town can stagnate and flout all sorts of laws ... but if anyone decides to invest in an idea or promote trade in a slightly different way to the norm .... then the full power of CCBC will be down on them within days.
The recent example of the heavy handed fines for 'No Smoking' signs in the wrong place typifies there over-zealous approach.
But you try reporting something or asking THEM for something, then you are ignored completely.
The Fountains is well run, attractive ... but victimised.
Perhaps CCBC will be satisfied when all pubs resemble The Alex or The Snowdon. ....or worse, The Tudno Castle Hotel !!
Why can't CCBC be seen to SUPPORT local business, instead of attacking it?
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I suppose a line has to be drawn somewhere, one vehicle with an advert on is no problem and, indeed, full marks to Darren at Fountains for such an innovative idea...but what if every business decides to park a vehicle around town covered in adverts? If you allow one business to do it, then the precedent is set. If someone has complained to CCBC, then they are bound by law to take action, unfortunately.
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Unless its ME that raises the complaint? To the same person? ... and then I can be ignored!
I see how it works.
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Fester, on the subject of The Alex. I drove passed a number of times tonight and it seemed to be closed. Does anyone have any news about it?
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The Alex been up for sale for a while, maybe the Landlord has thrown in the towel?
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Darren is the manager.
Planning officer for Conwy County Council Paula Jones explained: “Advertisement consent is not usually required to advertise a business on a vehicle.
“However, if the vehicle is being used principally for the display of advertisements, then consent is required.
Perhaps she thinks it's the thin edge of the wedge Trojan and wants to nip it in the bud, before others take advantage. ))* Have you looked at the cars parked outside the front of the St Georges Hotel lately? :'( Tribells never felt the need to advertise their Fish and Chip establishment to all and sundry, so why does the owner of the extravagantly overpriced new chippy in St Georges Place think he has the right to flaunt the rules? PS I thought the Fountains Car and display were fantastic
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The Alex been up for sale for a while, maybe the Landlord has thrown in the towel?
When you have a pub thats run down it seems to attract a certain type of punter. The Alex is a fantastc building in much need of sympathetic renovation. Problem is the Pub-Cos are not interested in investing money in their properties. I like Jimmy, always have but he has no support whatsoever from his Pub-Co. He also has the Kings Arms and thats a really nice pub too completely different atmosphere to the Alex. The Alex is a huge building, why should Jimmy pay for all the repairs from his own pocket when he's already getting shafted on rent and beer prices. I wouldn't blame him if he did throw in the towel but it would be a shame as Jimmy is a popular landlord and everyone likes him.
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My wife and I have just had a superb pub meal in the Links. Never been disappointed with the quality of the food and the JWL Bitter. I'm now getting to the stage where we just go straight there rather than thinking of somewhere else to try.
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They do a superb 'Home Made' Chicken Curry in The Links.
I like to pop in on a lunchtime, throw a few darts and have a bowl of that most excellent curry.
Not been for a few months now, I must get back into the habit...
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X:((
All we need now is a recommendation from Bri and perhaps DaveR will venture inside.
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We got a letter out of the blue today from Punch, offering us the lease on the Gresham in Upper Mostyn Street. Does anyone know of anyone looking for what they say is a "Fantastic Business Opportunity”. Knowing its trading history we decided after careful consideration to give it a miss
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It is in an excellent location, and would be a goldmine......... if only Punch would offer a 80% discount in rent, lasting for 15 years.
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Apparently, Punch Taverns spent £180,000 on its last refurbishment.
"The style of the Gresham is up market designed to be a smart boutique/brassiere concept, with a large ground floor bar serving great coffee, cocktails, quality wine and champagne.
The character of the venue lends itself perfectly to evolving as a great steak bar concept – currently lacking in the area. The true entrepreneur we are looking for will see and tap into this opportunity.
The first floor offers a small bar ideal for private functions and speciality nights.
A terraced area to the front with an electrical roll out canopy creates a comfortable smoking solution. This area is also a smart alfresco dinning area in the summer enjoying sun facia all day.
Quite simply The Gresham is one of the best opportunities in the North Wales area currently."
Turnover is currently (well, before it closed):
Drink - £210k per year
Food - £104k " "
Other - £11k " "
Rent varies between £29k and £44k, depending on which deal you select to purchase drinks.
Anyone interested will need to stump up £31,679 to Punch for a 5 year Lease. Yearly profit is estimated to be £36k.
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You forgot to factor in the Rates Dave. No matter how good an Entrepreneur you are without owning the freehold you will never be able to make it pay. You'll just end up on the road to ruin and you can “Quote” me on that when it happens! Z**
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It's an odd way to 'own' your own business. As far as I can see, you spend £31k for the right to work your fingers to the bone and maybe make a profit. I'll stick to the stock market! :laugh:
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The Gresham is a nice pub but unfortunately not a profitable one. My mate had it 4 years ago. There has been 2 more tennants since my mate left and both times they have not been able to cover even the utilties bills and lost all their lease money. The only people making money out of the Gresham are the pub co behind it. If you fold, which is enevitable in the current finantial climate Punch get to keep your cash and you wil be left with all outstanding court costs, which I might add can be in excess of £25,000. They push for bankrupsy. Its a joke. The rent is astronomical, it was £1,2000 a week before the refurb 4 years ago. Becky the BRM is a ruthless piece of work and you will, I bet my life on it lose your £31,000.The accounts stated wil be well out of date (a practice carried out by Punch on a regular basis and one which they have actually not long ago been charged for). Its mainly weekend trade too. Most pubs up that end have or will be applying for extended hours so you will be charged up to another £100 a week by the council and the police for the late night levy soon to be introduced. Not forgeting that government agencies want this price inflated and so within 12 months it could cost you even more.
Call me bitter and twisted but it's Punch Taverns-enough said!!! Don't do it.
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It's an odd way to 'own' your own business. As far as I can see, you spend £31k for the right to work your fingers to the bone and maybe make a profit. I'll stick to the stock market! :laugh:
me too :) I can't imagine anything worse than having to pay up front before you work for them :-X and then they will boot you out with nowt, horrendous!
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Tell me about it Pendragon. Our daughter is a publican, she has had dealings with Punch too.
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Got me thinking, with the closure of "Jimmy's Irish bar" going back to the un-themed Alex. Llandudno no longer has any Irish themed bars. Surely a potential money make here? A big site like the old Burger King and Woolys would be a perfect spot for an O'Neill's (and a nice bit of healthy competition for the stagnant Cheaperspoons)
Also heard the Alex will be "ahem" getting taking over yet again pretty soon, thanks to some pertinacious CCTV spotting from the boys in blue.
Thoughts? Z**
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I think either of those sites would be too big and expensive to run. Rents and rates on Mostyn St. are astronomical!
Also, and this is the view from the taxi, I believe people's habits have changed over the last decade. I find that people are going out much later these days, often as late as 11pm or midnight. They seem to prefer to have a drink at home first which is perfectly understandable given the prices of drinks in pubs.
You can pay £5 for a vodka in town or you can buy a bottle for £8.50 in Asda and have some friends round to share it! I know what I usually choose to do.
Whilst I'm generally against the Government's "minimum pricing" policy I do believe that closing the gap between the pubs and supermarkets could certainly help to get people into the bars (and taxis)!
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I think either of those sites would be too big and expensive to run. Rents and rates on Mostyn St. are astronomical!
Also, and this is the view from the taxi, I believe people's habits have changed over the last decade. I find that people are going out much later these days, often as late as 11pm or midnight. They seem to prefer to have a drink at home first which is perfectly understandable given the prices of drinks in pubs.
You can pay £5 for a vodka in town or you can buy a bottle for £8.50 in Asda and have some friends round to share it! I know what I usually choose to do.
Whilst I'm generally against the Government's "minimum pricing" policy I do believe that closing the gap between the pubs and supermarkets could certainly help to get people into the bars (and taxis)!
I understand what you're saying, but there is much more to people staying at home than simply pricing.
I've recently moved back here from living in Liverpool and let me tell you that the pubs are busy up there any day of the week!
Because they are fun and have some genuine atmostphere - most Pubs in town these days are tourist bars by numbers, and are pretty boring. How many pubs in town have a jukebox these days? Not many, and for the ones that do they have it so quiet you'd have to have ears like Gary Lineker to get your moneys worth!! How many pubs have dart boards? Again not many, and most of the ones that do have it blocked by a bloody dinner table, so that they can cram even more tourists in and charge them more overpriced crap food.
I know if I stay at home with a few mates, I can put on some 'decent' music, have a few games of darts and a laugh. That's not something I can do in a pub these days!
Then though you get the old chicken before the egg scenario, because I probably met most of my friends through the years in pubs. If nobody's going out anymore nobody is socialising and that's got to be a bad thing!!
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Then though you get the old chicken before the egg scenario, because I probably met most of my friends through the years in pubs. If nobody's going out anymore nobody is socialising and that's got to be a bad thing!!
That's it. You meet the most interesting people when you're out, that you would never normally meet!
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Then though you get the old chicken before the egg scenario, because I probably met most of my friends through the years in pubs. If nobody's going out anymore nobody is socialising and that's got to be a bad thing!!
That's it. You meet the most interesting people when you're out, that you would never normally meet!
Yes Dave.....you would never have met them at your house. :D
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Because they are fun and have some genuine atmostphere - most Pubs in town these days are tourist bars by numbers, and are pretty boring. How many pubs in town have a jukebox these days? Not many, and for the ones that do they have it so quiet you'd have to have ears like Gary Lineker to get your moneys worth!! How many pubs have dart boards? Again not many, and most of the ones that do have it blocked by a bloody dinner table, so that they can cram even more tourists in and charge them more overpriced crap food.
Thats an interesting point born2run because the busiest pub in Llandudno, by a long way, and I'm sure most forum members will agree, is the King's Head. A pub which has no pool table, dart board or jukebox!
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Because they are fun and have some genuine atmostphere - most Pubs in town these days are tourist bars by numbers, and are pretty boring. How many pubs in town have a jukebox these days? Not many, and for the ones that do they have it so quiet you'd have to have ears like Gary Lineker to get your moneys worth!! How many pubs have dart boards? Again not many, and most of the ones that do have it blocked by a bloody dinner table, so that they can cram even more tourists in and charge them more overpriced crap food.
Thats an interesting point born2run because the busiest pub in Llandudno, by a long way, and I'm sure most forum members will agree, is the King's Head. A pub which has no pool table, dart board or jukebox!
Also one of the more expensive pubs is it not? I would speculate that the reason a lot of people go there is because it has a friendly atmostphere and excellent views. Two other valid reasons why drinking at a pub can be better than drinking at home and again not based at all on cost *&(
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The Kings Head is the oldest pub in town. I think one of the reasons it's so popular, is that it's also one of the last remaining 'traditional' pubs left.
Log fire in the winter, decent food & ales and a good atmosphere combined with a traditional decor.
I don't think some people mind paying a little extra if they get value for money.
http://kingsheadllandudno.co.uk/index.html (http://kingsheadllandudno.co.uk/index.html)
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King's Head.....Great Pub....Great Atmosphere..... Food? ... Distinctly Average For The Price.
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Sorry for the delay in posting. My laptop lead died the other day. Tried to set up my desktop which had the attitude "computer says no" :rage: :rage: so had to resort to my phone ap which was a real donkey plus I'd need a magnifying glass to read the piggin' text. Dave came to the rescue and now I'm back :D
Your comment on an Irish bar in town was a good one B2R. I worked in town for nigh on 2 years and I can't tell you the amount of customers that said the same. There is a huge concentration of Irish people in Llandudno.
I'm talking about a real Irish bar though not O'Neills. Which to be honest are Irish in name only. An Irish bar with Irish music and maybe the Irish bands at a weekend. Irish music just makes you feel jiggy, you can't help but be happy when it plays in the background. <:<:<:<
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Sorry for the delay in posting. My laptop lead died the other day. Tried to set up my desktop which had the attitude "computer says no" :rage: :rage: so had to resort to my phone ap which was a real donkey plus I'd need a magnifying glass to read the piggin' text. Dave came to the rescue and now I'm back :D
Your comment on an Irish bar in town was a good one B2R. I worked in town for nigh on 2 years and I can't tell you the amount of customers that said the same. There is a huge concentration of Irish people in Llandudno.
I'm talking about a real Irish bar though not O'Neills. Which to be honest are Irish in name only. An Irish bar with Irish music and maybe the Irish bands at a weekend. Irish music just makes you feel jiggy, you can't help but be happy when it plays in the background. <:<:<:<
Too true, and I for one hope there is an Irish band playing somewhere in town this St Paddy's!
Think the last time I remember seeing one was Brandistock at the Parade about 3 years ago - I'm not sure there's been one since. But if it was well advertised then it would get a good crowd in no matter which pub it was at
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Didn't the Parade advertise itself as an Irish Bar at one time?
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Didn't the Parade advertise itself as an Irish Bar at one time?
I know it has an Irish landlord but I don't remember it being an Irish bar as such. Might be wrong though.
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Didn't the Parade advertise itself as an Irish Bar at one time?
I know it has an Irish landlord but I don't remember it being an Irish bar as such. Might be wrong though.
I thought I wasn't dreaming...
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I think the best pub for live music in town is the Cottage Loaf B2R. I've seen a few bands in there and they've all been good. The Cellar Dwellers are excellent.
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omg
ruby ruby ruby performed by the Cellar Dwellers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PizHHoN2-o#)
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omg
yeah ok maybe that's not one of their best :o
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OMG That's enough to put anyone off !
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I think they better go back to dwelling in the cellar. ¢¢##
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I think I may have seen them in Conwy a few years ago. Thanks Pendragon.
It's nice to see a proper band anyway - with instruments! I can't stand these bloody backing tapes, might as well go to Karoake and have a laugh than those, least I can get up and butcher a few rock classics then ZXZ
Dirty Dogs are good as well, think they're from Wrexham way. A couple of years ago Colwyn Bay hosted a "blues festival" don't think they've done one since - but it was absolutely brilliant and busy. Llandudno should very seriously consider doing one
Basically it started about 1pm and there was a band on for about 45 minutes in each pub all across the bay - so it was like a sort of musical pub crawl - fantastic Z**
Town could do a great one in the summer - if the pubs got together and agreed
Here's an example schedule
BAND 1 - Kings Arms - 1 - 1.45
BAND 2 - Townhouse - 2 - 2.45
BAND 3 - Cross Keys - 3 - 3.45
BAND 4 - Cottage Loaf 4-4.45 (outside if it's nice 8))
BAND 5 - Fountains - 5 - 5.45
BAND 6 (The headliner) 6 - 7 Outside the Kings Head to see out the evening D)
Who would like something like that?
Maybe we could organise something
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That's an excellent idea. I can organise some bands too. Courteous Thief, Shivering Hills etc. All local all fantastic.
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It's a great idea - would all the pubs work together to sort it out?
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sounds like this event in Woodstock, Oxfordshire,near where we used to live. We used to do some work for the chap who organised it.
http://www.woodstocklive.co.uk/ (http://www.woodstocklive.co.uk/)
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The Kings Head has been holding a Headstock festival on a yearly basis:
Headstock - Kings Head Llandudno Music Festival (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLBjJNjPUvU#)
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Looks like a classy event ZXZ :laugh:
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Headstock is a good event, especially if the weathers nice, the loaf does some good outside events ussualy when the extravaganza is on as well,. But then you are stuck to one pub. I remember as well, Colwyn Bay did a party in the park thing in Erias park - it was an absolute disaster! No alcohol was allowed in at all which completely killed it. Would have worked better in Town
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Z**Anybody know of anything going on in any of the local pubs?
Would be good to see a band - but I'll take a DJ or even a Karoake as long as it's Irish themed $thanx$
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The King's Arms will definitely be doing something and I'll be amazed if The Parade haven't got something planned aswell.
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Z**Anybody know of anything going on in any of the local pubs?
Would be good to see a band - but I'll take a DJ or even a Karoake as long as it's Irish themed $thanx$
A few verses of the Irish Rover and you'll be happy! ZXZ
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"With the musket, fife and drum. . . . . . ."
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"We'll keep a welcome in the hillsides......"
Padrig was a Briton! $wales therefore, spoke Welsh.
http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Wales-History/StPatrick.htm (http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Wales-History/StPatrick.htm)
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All Irish Karaoke songs sound the same to me...
''Oh the whisky and the beer, and the beer and the whisky....in this dirty old town....send me roving to drink the whisky and the beer oh some more....''
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All Irish Karaoke songs sound the same to me...
''Oh the whisky and the beer, and the beer and the whisky....in this dirty old town....send me roving to drink the whisky and the beer oh some more....''
_))* that's like saying all Country music is about dead dogs, blankets on the ground and ribbons tied round trees.
Yawl join in now yee ha. My D.I.V.O.R.C.E .............................. ¢¢##
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You can't tell me this is not a funny song. I love it, heard it a million times and it still makes me laugh.
Sick Note (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx7aoEBtPXA#)
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_))* Love it! _))*
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A lovely parody on the Bricklayers Story, told at the Oxford Union in 1958 by Gerald Hoffnung. Still as funny today as ever it was.
Must confess I prefer Hoffnungs version! L0L L0L
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The Pogues With The Dubliners (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au30c9ZMIPg#)
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The Fountains Bar in Upper Mostyn Street is almost ready to open it's new cocktail lounge.
Tentatively named ''The Parlour'', it is a new part of the building, which I believe was previously part of Robert's Pet Shop in Llewellyn Avenue. I was shown around it on Saturday.
There are also some badly needed new toilets included in this development.
This is the 2nd time in just over a year that The Fountains has been extended.
Given the fact that many other businesses in that area are either closed down or are looking dilapidated, the Manager and owner should receive credit for investing and improving during such difficult economic times.
Let's hope they have a successful summer season!
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Hello im back from Wembley,Fester see if you can get a look around the new Carlton,i noticed a re-opening banner on it.
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Hello im back from Wembley,Fester see if you can get a look around the new Carlton,i noticed a re-opening banner on it.
Let's hope the clientele got refurbished as well... :laugh:
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I can just see DavR and Fester sitting in the window of the Carlton enjoying an apparetife.
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Things seem to have gone quiet on the new bar that is opening in Gimberts.
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I like the Cottage and the Snowdon for one reason only,Wrexham lager. Not sure how Fester is going to get on with the tennants in the Parade,sound a bit loud.
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This was the scene on BH Sunday, at the excellent 'HeadStock' music festival at The King's Head.
The only word to describe it was, 'Rockin'