New Bar In Town

SPUGGIE J · 01-11-2005, 18:34

The Barracuda Group has decided to go ahead with its unnamed pub in Accy under its Smith & Jones brand. This group also has Barracuda Bar Varsity and Juniper Inns and yet has decided that "Accrington was identified as a highly suitable site" How did they reach that conclusion I was in Accy on a Saturday night when I was down the other week and I cannot see where the custom will come from. Yes it will be busy for a month or two untill the novelty wears of or the crowds find a new "in place". Does Accy really nead another pub with grub. Here is there info on the Smith & Jones brand;

Smith & Jones is an upmarket, authentic pub offering an appealing menu, an excellent range of wine and beer delivered through top quality service in classy, comfortable surroundings.

Does this sound like it would fit in with Accy? Maybe I am being harsh but there is little to go round as it is so unless people stay in accy instead of heading out of town it could become a folly. Yes there will be jobs I grant you that but will it hold its own? The council should have had that space set aside for a decent shop yet let it go as a pub so is this a trend they are setting? If so they need to look again Accy needs shops not more pubs.

grego · 01-11-2005, 19:42

Spuggie, I used to be regular in town but haven't been down there for ages, I lost interest when Opium burn't down, not for Opium but for Voodoo, I know so many people who feel the same, most of the time we'd drink at locals then go down there about 10.30pm for a dance. I dont think this bar will make any difference, a lot of people now go to Burnley and its a cracking night out.

K.S.H · 01-11-2005, 19:47

looks like there will be 2 new pubs opening near each other, they are doing the old Nags Head up, had a peek inside the other day and it looks like it is going to be a pub they way they are kitting it out

SPUGGIE J · 01-11-2005, 20:00

Will have to give Bunley a try when I am next down but can it come close to glasgow or edinburgh? I need an exciting night out down there.

cashman · 01-11-2005, 23:22

noticed tonight the railway has returned!

garinda · 01-11-2005, 23:32

When this plan was first mooted it said it was being pitched at the 'lunchtime female market'. It will feature sofas and speciality coffees.

Central Perk in Accy? Good luck.

lettie · 02-11-2005, 09:20

I can't see it having much custom at night as the nightlife in Accy is generally weary. It may attract a lunchtime crowd from council and bank workers but I doubt that it will tempt shoppers to stop for a bite to eat, seeing as we have no decent shops and many people do the bulk of their shopping out of town. I haven't been into town for a drink since Voodoo burnt down and wild horses couldn't drag me down there now.

Less · 02-11-2005, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPUGGIE J

Smith & Jones is an upmarket, authentic pub offering an appealing menu, an excellent range of wine and beer delivered through top quality service in classy, comfortable surroundings.

Does this sound like it would fit in with Accy?

It may not sound like Accy but it very much describes the pub we hold the meets in, but that one is in up market Church!

sarah · 02-11-2005, 12:46

I was taken for a night out in Accy a month or so back, and I couldn't believe how dead the place was- much prefer Blackburn. As yet I have never had a night out in Burnley, although I have heard on more than one occasion that it is a good night out.

Wish Wetherspoons would open a pub in Accy, then I could get a job there, without having to bother with any transport to get anywhere.

SPUGGIE J · 02-11-2005, 12:50

Love the Witherspoon set up. I have 2 to choose from up here and its great one a traditional pub set up the other a nice open plan setup with good food and nightlife. Its what Accy really needs a cheap and cheerful cater for all sort of place.

Tealeaf · 02-11-2005, 13:14

It should be made quite clear - this will not be a pub, it will be an open plan large bar. I drink in one of Barracuda's establishments here in London... several other Accy web members have been in there with me. It attracts quite a few regulars

The style of their bars does resemble Wetherspoons establishments, but only in size and to some extent decor. They are very, very big and inside there is lots of pine, leather and mirrors. They have a good choice of house and guest real ales and the usual mickey mouse lagers. However, they don't do Wetherspoons prices. I pay £2.50 for a pint of bitter, about the average for inner London, as against £1.80 in a Wetherspoons. (I don't know what they will charge in Accy.)Unlike the latter, however, there is taped music played in the pub and there is TV. In fact, you can't avoid the TV.....two big drop down screens (12ft x 10ft) and 6 big flat screens dotted around the place, often showing 2 different footy games.

There is also a big emphasis on food sales with permanent people in the kitchen. What effect the proposed smoking ban will have on this, I don't Know.

I certainly won't be paying the Accy bar a visit.

SPUGGIE J · 02-11-2005, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

I certainly won't be paying the Accy bar a visit.

Do you think it will be a lame duck or end up full of the less social parts of our community?

Tealeaf · 02-11-2005, 13:38

If the smoking ban comes in, they will probably go for dry sales rather than stop food and allow smoking. I don't think that will be a success in Accy. If they do drop food sales and allow smoking then the size of the place & its location will invariably attract the local riff-raff, if their pricing policy is the same as other town centre pubs.

We've had similar threads before; then it was a proposed Wetherspoons pub, but the problem is the same. These mega-bars take trade from the traditional local pubs which end up closing; meanwhile, the night time town centre sinks deeper into the mire of vomit and violence.

Tinkerbelle · 02-11-2005, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

I certainly won't be paying the Accy bar a visit.

Afternoon Mr T

Why?

Tealeaf · 02-11-2005, 14:03

Because I wish to have no part in the closing of our traditional local pubs.

The Barracuda establishment that I drink in is at the bottom of 3 12-storey office buildings,and the local pubs had already gone when it was built 15 years ago, so I'm quite happy drinking there; but I have no intention of going anywhere near the Accy one. I find it most peculiar, that having lost so many great Victorian & Georgian pubs in the borough, people now seem to be getting so excited about doing their drinking in an ex-settee shop. Have things really come to this?