Forum Topic

Ealing Park Tavern  (EPT) what is happening with it?

Rumours abound about the fate of the Ealing Park Tavern (EPT) (formerly known as the Penny Flyer, or the Fly's Rest, or the Fly's Home, or the Fly's Own...). Having apparently been taken into administration by the brewery that supplied it it is apparently set to close soon for a refurbishment that will see the removal of the pub leaving a restaurant and an establishment that rents out rooms above it - a kind of hotel?Yesterday they were charging £4.40 for a pint of Heineken, and £5.50 for a pint of strong lager so the closure of the pub isn't unexpected.

Peter Mcleod ● 4323d54 Comments

I will indeed pass on your good wishes and thank you - but I hope you will pop in and maybe book a table for Sunday lunch or Wednesday's supper club - they are both excellent and very well received.

Bernadette Paul ● 4280d

I wish your daughter good fortune with The Griffin.Many a happy day (pre and post match) spent there when Ralph was landlord.

Nigel Brooks ● 4281d

My daughter and her husband now run The Griffin in Brentford which is a Fullers pub.  There is no policy that I am aware of where tables are reserved for anyone with the exception of Sunday lunchtime (for people who have specifically booked for Sunday lunch) and Wednesday evenings (specific bookings for supper club).  I think in pubs where food is served it is fair enough that tables which have been booked are reserved for people eating and I am sure this would be the case in any other pub where food is served and table spaces are limited and nothing to do specifically with Fullers.  I know the Fox serves food so presumably they reserve tables for the same reason.

Bernadette Paul ● 4281d

Sadly, it is not just Fullers.The Fox in Hanwell has started doing it as well.Particularly infuriating is to turn up at 19:30 to be greeted with nowhere to sit because several EMPTY tables are labelled:    "Reserved for Joe - 18:00"This is an extraordinarily unwelcome new development and a most unpleasant change to the standard procedures in traditional british pubs.At the very least then "Joe" should damn well turn up at 18:00 and if he doesn't then his "Reserved" label should be summarily removed at 18:15 !!!On my last visit to The Fox I attempted to take this up with the management to, I fear, no real avail.I just cannot understand why they (the pubs) do it as it seems clear to me that they will loose custom overall rather than gain it.

Tony Colliver ● 4281d

I refuse to drink in any of the Fullers houses owing to their annoying practice, of suddenly coming along and sticking a big notice onto tables that you have been occupying, for perhaps a couple of hours stating that from say 8-30pm the table is reserved for joe bloggs, I once took this up with the area manager and was told its standard practice for all the group, so sorry Fullers we won't be frequenting your businesses anymore

Tracey Mehdizadeh ● 4284d

Anthony,My apologies I should have caveated the assumption of ALL with ‘The majority of Pubs’Peter,Not being a Lager drinker I don’t notice the £5 a pint. However when I used to live in Wandsworth my local pub used to sell one of my favorite beverages at £5 a pint, a short walk down the road another establishment used to sell the very same pint for £3.50. I chose to spend more money on the more costly pint as the pub in question was a nicer environment to be in and the bar staff were friendly and efficient.However comparing drinking in ones back garden being cheaper, well….. Did you account for the price of your mortgage/rent/rates etc in with the cost of that shop based pint? Of course I joke, I too enjoy drinking in my own home and having friends around to also enjoy those drinks with, however it’s also nice to get out and about and meet other people through the same interest of drinking, hence supporting my locals.All pubs are there to make a profit/livelihood and their overheads have to be recouped in some way, clearly this is with the products they sell. Some of course fail to make the figures add up and thus alienate people which impacts on their business and they fail, others do a roaring trade, horse for courses really.Again I’ll be supporting the EPT and other local establishments around Ealing.

Lee Page ● 4285d

You are so right. The EPT is overcharging as are all the Fullers pubs: the Red Lion, Ealing Green, is now charging a fiver for a pint of premium lager the same calibre of which can be found in the Wetherspoons (Sir Michael Balcon) for £3.00 to £3.50. In effect Fullers and other smaller pubcos are creating a "monopoly". What I do know is that I can buy a half-litre (nearly a pint) of the same lager for £1.10 in local shops around Ealing. Some glasses, and a nice drink can be had in my back garden for a quarter (or even a fifth if you include the Red Lion, Drapers Arms, EPT, etc.) of the price.

Peter Mcleod ● 4288d

Hear hear. I took some friends from out of our area on a Chiswick to Isleworth pub crawl bank holiday Monday. 9 pubs. The Magpie and Crown definitely the highlight.

Mike Paterson ● 4288d

All other establishments? Really? I can get a pint quite easily for £2.50 even in the City of London.It's locally where the prices are higher than in town.  More to do with managed pubs than anything else.

Anthony Waller ● 4290d

Prices do remain high as with the rest of London, there is a small variety of Bar food on offer, but the restaurant will remain closed till after the new owners (ETM Group) fully take over, likely to be after the summer according to the current interim manager.I'm quite happy to support my local pubs even if the prices are in-line with all other establishments. (Roughly £3.50 to £4.00 for a pint of Ale).

Lee Page ● 4291d

Roll on "Community Pubs"

Peter Mcleod ● 4291d

To me the "temporary" EPT looks good. The local community is back in, the pretension is out, thought beer a little pricey.

Peter Mcleod ● 4291d

The Ealing Park Tavern (EPT) has reopened for the summer under temporary management minus the restaurant. The leather sofas and most of the antique fittings are gone (auctioned off a week ago) leaving a place not unlike what the Penny Flyer was before it got "upshifted". No permanent owner in place yet and the beer prices remain high (£4.40 Heineken).

Peter Mcleod ● 4293d

I spent most of my formative years growing up in the licensing trade Ron, therefore met a lot of both gay publicans and customers, as well as having a lot of gay friends through my associations in the horsey world, and I've not met a one yet that would object to being called gay, in fact they would most likely be offended at someone jumping on the bandwagon to denounce someone else for using the term

Tracey Mehdizadeh ● 4303d

Could be that it was bailiffs/liquidators moving in to remove anything that was salable that belonged to the leaseholder...

Peter Mcleod ● 4304d

Colin, I no longer tread on eggshells. To make an omelette you've gotta break eggs and the hearts and spirits of the PC brigade.NigelFat, Ginger, occasionally prejudiced (not racist) and really don't give a toss how many of the PC brigade fall victim. Voting conservative in the local elections and UKIP in the European elections. Got a problem with that? Good. I haven't.

Nigel Brooks ● 4304d

FFS...... that's it, I need to check out of this worldRon - there are far too many of your type around and for some reason you seem to hold all the power with average Joe Public having to tread on PC eggshells.How do you know I'm not gay myself? You haven't got a clue but that doesn't stop your own reverse prejudice kicking in immediately and you'll be throwing around accusations of homophobia or racism like loony left confetti till you go toes up. Keep up the good work and good luck in your search for hidden meanings, routing out as many moral outrages and persecution of those who don't conform to your way of talking, acting or living.I hope you're sitting down as this next bit may make you giddy...Standby Ron.....Take a deep breath.....Ron I don't know how to tell you this.... I'm going to vote UKIP in the elections"THUMP!"

Colin Goodman ● 4304d

I don't think the term 'gay men' is derogatory or homophobic in any way. Its generally accepted and used quite often, naturally and openly - as someone has observed the terms 'two black men' or even 'a coupla fat ladies' are OK usage these days.

Gerry Tan ● 4304d

Gay is not a derogatory term - far from it.

Nigel Brooks ● 4304d

in his defence, being straight isn't really a distinguishing feature whereas for the chaps he is talking about, their sexuality was.  If they were black he would have said the two black chaps.  doesn't make him racist.

Andy Vaughan ● 4304d

tad homophobic are we? or confused about your sexuality?I ask as you could have said the two male owners or current owners but you refer to them as gay, would you say the two straight owners etc

Ron Gill ● 4304d

Sad to go past there yesterday and see them ripping out the commercial kitchen and general FF&EOnce all these grand old buildings in London are turned into boxy little flats and occupied by a transient population will urban planners sit down and ask themselves "right, that's maximum capacity +20%; now where are all these people going to go for leisure, how are they going to get there and why isn't there any community anymore?"I earn my money in construction so need developments to stay employed but the endless thirst to convert anything into dwellings and stick up high density shoe boxes will come back to bite us eventually Good luck to the EPT..... I hope someone saves your soul

Colin Goodman ● 4304d

What an interesting summary and opinions Colin - and Peter's also just previous to your posting.  I remember the days when one couldn't book a table for dinner on Friday or Saturday evenings unless you phoned really early. The food was excellent in those days. Sad times - also its an interesting building, but perhaps not in the best and convenient of places. Although The Forester's isn't that central but is a much better pub now.

Gerry Tan ● 4307d

I find this very sad when you think back to what a brilliant establishment this place was even a few years back (and I include at the height of the recession).There was a time it was a task to get a table booking in the dining room and in the bar. The grille aspect was of the highest quality and the standard of food comparable to many City based eateries. Added to this its local, residential, a building with character and did a good pint plus nice winesThen what happened?For me the two gay chaps got a little bit full of themselves and success went to their heads. Menus became more avent garde and prices began to rise with noticeable leaps, the friendly quality local slant evaporated and they forgot their clientele Successive leaseholders since have failed to address this with prices remaining high and no big effort for relaunching or reaching out to customers new or oldCompare and contrast the recent change and turnaround for The Forestors in Northfields£70k a year is also a proper big lump in the current food and drink trade for a local place!!!I will miss the EPT for its class of years ago, for being just down the road and for also allowing dogs in the bar areaI hope someone has the capital and vision to re establish this once grand old place in Ealing

Colin Goodman ● 4307d

The Ealing Park Tavern has been up for sale since November last year as the following flyer from Colliers International shows:http://corporateinternational.colliers-uk.com/Modules/Shared/OpenDocument.aspx?F=c0d3bdce-7372-489b-b771-d589e925f85b.pdf&p=documents&HID=306232&PID=-1&departmentID=17Ealing Park Tavern, 222 South Ealing Road W5 4RLTenureLeasehold. The lease has expired and the tenant is holding over however we understand that this is a Protected Agreement at a rent of £70,000 per  annum, subject to fixed RPI increases. The lease is tied to Enterprise Inns for Beers, Ciders and FABs.LocationThe Property is located in West London in South Ealing on South Ealing Road, a high street that connects Ealing  Broadway to Brentford. It is situated on a prominent corner position fronting Carlyle Road and South Ealing Road and is located opposite Clayponds Park. The surrounding occupiers include residential dwellings and secondary retail shops.DescriptionThe Property is a three storey building of brick construction under mutli pitched tiled roofs witha single storey rear extension. To the rear is a large dedicated outside patio area with a separate bar serveryand BBQ area for 60 covers. To the rear is an outhouse currently being utilised as a photography studio.Internally the ground floor comprises of a central bar servey which is spilt into an informal bar area/ informal dining area for approximately 50 covers and a restaurant for approximately 40 covers is located to the rear of this level. Ancillary accommodation at this level provides a trade kitchen and customer WC’s. To the first floor are three double bedrooms, WC, shower room andutility room. To the second floor are three double bedrooms, kitchen, living room and bathroom.Further storage, and cellarage is located at basement level.TenureLeasehold. The lease has expired and the tenant is holding over however we understand thatthis is a Protected Agreement at a rent of £70,000 per  annum, subject to fixed RPI increases.The lease is tied to Enterprise Inns for Beers, Ciders and FABs.To quote: TermsPremium offers of in the region of £125,000 are invited for the benefit of our clients’ leasehold interest and goodwill.Business OverviewThe Property had a turnover to January 2013 of £820,000 (net of VAT).The Property is a food led business which has the benefit of an extensive dining area.Rateable ValueThe Property is listed on the 2010 Valuation List as having a rateable value of £96,000.

Peter Mcleod ● 4307d

its closing bu another one is opening. arent we ever happy on here ;)

Ron Gill ● 4317d

Shame but in truth it's 'just another pub' and one of the many closing every day across the UK.

Nigel Brooks ● 4317d

The word in my local is that the deal that the EPT was trying to set up has fallen through and that it will close down.

Peter Mcleod ● 4317d

If you are ever down in west Wales (it takes dedication to be there 'by accident') then you will taste some of the finest cooking from the freshest ingredients in these wonderful islands of ours.

Nigel Brooks ● 4319d

Perhaps he just worked in those two places?

Peter Mcleod ● 4319d

Again, thank you for the clarification, it is what I hear in my local.

Peter Mcleod ● 4319d

The Globe is tenanted as well. Not sure how he could have been a manager at the Forester as Joe ran it for donkeys years until 2011 and Dean has managed it on behalf of Sam & Paschal (MC Bars) ever since.

Roy Tunstall ● 4319d

P.S. The word in my local is that the publican who is overseeing the last few weeks of the EPT may have been a manager at the Globe (Fullers Brentford) and the Forester (Tenanted Fullers Owned) for VERY SHORT PERIODS OF TIME?

Peter Mcleod ● 4319d

It is all just greed. Over-inflated, rents, property prices, etc. However, the EPT was doomed since he original owners sold on, the string of resulting managers failed to understand that the customer is king and all you have to do is to insult/slight a customer once and he/she will not return. The present publican is returning to New Zealand in a couple of weeks having annoyed a lot people in various pubs where he worked over the past couple of years. You need to like people, be helpful, and have basic social skills to run a business and part people from their hard-earned money. It is not enough to get a bank loan, put a spreadsheet together and then treat your customers badly.

Peter Mcleod ● 4319d

Ha ha - as long as Mrs Brooks is OK with it then your on!

Diane Gill ● 4321d

Come away with me to Llandudoch Diane (it's OK, I've told Davina). At The Webley Hotel you can have a plate of around 8-10 local 'queenies' caught that morning and perfectly cooked with a little hint of bacon and a micro salad for £6.95.

Nigel Brooks ● 4322d

I don't have an issue with the location, it was the pricing that did it for me. I went there not that long ago (late last year) and ordered scallops for starters - I blinked and missed them and there were £9!  We complained and they were very nice about it but they shouldn't have served scallops that small in the first place whatever the price. The dining room was empty too.

Diane Gill ● 4322d

The food and drinks menus look OK apart from the prices, which are high - we've eaten there - the food is OK and I'm not surprised that they're closing. The location is not right. The building would be ready for conversion into flats imo.

Gerry Tan ● 4322d

The EPT has had a few different managers in the past four years. The gentlemen presently running it has returned after an abscence of a year or two running other pubs having left the EPT and now returned.

Peter Mcleod ● 4322d

It says Enterprise Inns (or the management company they are currently employing) don't have access to the website!The manager didn't know the wifi code when I visited around new year!

Roy Tunstall ● 4322d

The fact that they still have their Christmas menu on their website says it all really.

Nigel Brooks ● 4322d

The word is that not so long ago the EPT had a debt of £20,000 to the meat supplier alone! Hardly rising costs, more likely mismanagement.

Peter Mcleod ● 4322d

Convert it into 20 flats. Seems to be the trend.

Simon Wycombe ● 4322d

What's the latest news about Ealing Park Tavern? Will it change use?

Gerry Tan ● 4323d

Enterprise Inns sold the pub in 2010 but took out a 35 year lease with a get out clause after 25 years. It is the sub-tenant that went into administration.  If a sub-tenant has taken it over on a free of tie basis they will need to pay Enterprise a lot more than the £125,000 a year Enterprise are paying the owner!

Roy Tunstall ● 4323d

It may well become a free house once the insolvency is liqiudated.And if you want to see just how good a free house can be try the Magpie and Crown in Brentford High Street.A range of beers that makes a wine list pale.

Anthony Waller ● 4323d

In the UK, a long time ago. My brother-in-law was personal banker to the late Freddy Heineken (he used to work for ABN Amro) and I have never tasted the equivalent in the UK to that which was served when I visited my b-I-l in The Netherlands.

Nigel Brooks ● 4323d

I doubt if the Forester or the Plough are any different in pricing terms. We're heading towards the £5 pint rapidly in this part of the world (at least in the 'posh' pubs anyway).The answer is either -(a) drink bitter, it's cheaper(b) go to Duffy's, it's cheaper

Sam Salisbury ● 4323d

Nigel, I don't know when you last had a pint of Heineken, but I can assure you it is not "pee". Presented correctly, it's an excellent premium lager!

Guy Edema ● 4323d

Good Point Sir! A new hotel has been completed across the flyover from the Mercedes Showroom where the old Smithkline Beecham buildings have been re-built as a housing complex.

Peter Mcleod ● 4323d

You may well be right Susan as there are any number of (relatively) low-priced hotel rooms in Brentford.

Nigel Brooks ● 4323d

I fear its location is against it.

Susan Kelly ● 4323d

That's what its customers thought as well: hence they went bust. The question now though is: what is going to happen to it? Is a truly historic coaching inn of several hundred years standing going to be converted into a B and B?

Peter Mcleod ● 4323d

£4.40 for a pint of Heineken! That's taking the pee for a pint of pee!

Nigel Brooks ● 4323d