More on Walkers

[drplokta]

Right, here's a follow-up on my rather brief posting last night, which was made from my PDA while in the pub.

The manager at Walkers of Holborn told me last night that the pub has been sold, effective from around 16 November. He's not staying on -- he has a better job to go to at a pub in Muswell Hill. The new owners plan to run it as-is for the rest of this year, then close for three or four weeks in January for a complete refurb, and then he doesn't know what their long-term plans are.

The new owners were due to visit last night, and he said he'd introduce them, but in the event they only popped into the upstairs bar for five minutes.

The manager has my mobile number and will call when he has more information. If the new owners don't want us, he may be able to find us somewhere else that's suitable.

So it looks like the December and Christmas meetings will be OK, but we may be homeless from January, and even if we are staying there, we may need an alternative in January if the refurb has started by Thursday 5th.

Comments

[aca.livejournal.com]

What capacity do you guys require? I take it food and ale are a given also? I'll see if I can punt a couple of suggestsions your way.

[timill]

We need a nice large non-smoky empty pub in central London with good food and beer close to the underground.

You can see why we have problems :-)

Capacity is probably around 60-100, I would think.

[aca.livejournal.com]

This place has been suggested by my friend Simon who organises the London.PM social meetings.

I've not been myself but the Mongers approve, so it must be good.

Additionally, if you don't mind Sam Smiths beer, the Cittie of York near Holborn has a great function room in the cellar.

[(Anonymous)]

The Cittie of York has already been ruled out twice. Anywhere on the main drag of High Holborn tends to have a big problem with being busy early evening.

I have a couple of new possibilities up my sleeve, plus we could look again at places we considered previously that were ruled out for no really good reason (e.g. the Melton Mowbray because it only has Fullers beers) or because at the time they had something else on on first Thursday.

I'll check my notes for the White Hart - can't remember why it was ruled out last time. The name is appropriate of course.

So we can come up with a contingency plan easily enough, but I wouldn't assume that we'll have to move, just because we've had bad luck with changes of management (e.g. at the dead nurse) before. In any event, I'll go along later this month to talk to the new owners and see if there is a problem. If anyone wants to join me, let me know.

I'd suggest we make the Melton Mowbray the fallback venue if e.g. we turn up to find Walkers closed in the next month or two.

Paul T

[hawkida.livejournal.com]

If the Perl mongers are meeting at the White Hart that's probably why it was ruled out - they also meet on the first Thursday of the month.

[aca.livejournal.com]

Possibly upstairs at The Clachan would be acceptable? Not sure if it would manage 100 people but I've been to a sizable MUDmeet there previously.

[(Anonymous)]

No it wouldn't manage 100 I don't think. Also, I think ZZ9 may technically still be barred from the Clachan, where third Wednesday meetings were held from the late '80s to early '90s (depending on whether it still has the same management as whenever it was).

Paul T

[(Anonymous)]

No, capacity needs to be more than 100 really.

Paul T

[mkillingworth.livejournal.com]

And cider. Don't forget cider.