Forum Topic

Fox and Grapes

I am so disappointed that the Fox has turned into a food establishment. It doesn't come close to any pretence of being a pub. Another fine English pub kicks the bucket.

Marc Brooks ● 5063d6 Comments

Our local gastro-publican (a long way from Wimbledon) says he makes no profit at all on beer - all the margins are on wine and food. No wonder straight old-fashioned pubs seemed doomed.Shame as there needs to be a diverse range but personally I would never dream of going into a London pubby pub yet i am in the Rocket at all hours.

Sara Nathan ● 5045d

There's ups and downs of being a Youngs pub.. we're lucky to have a good quality bitter, but the down side is that HQ don't allow us much free reign on the guest ales side.The pub trade is being hammered from all angles though, and sadly I can see more pubs becoming "gastro", Indian restaurants, churches and so forth before the year is out :(

Paul Green ● 5049d

Hi Paul, Like you I understand the necessity of food in pubs and generally have no problems with that.  However, to make believe that the Fox is still a pub beggers believe.  Only yesterday I heard an example of restaurant mentality rather than pub mentality....  A friend of mine ran a tab on his credit card for drinks only (as you do in a pub)....  The Fox then had the cunning notion of attempting to charge 15% for service.... Where does that come from? A refund was forthcoming after discussion! This is a wannabe restaurant with no charisma, no identification of what it wants to be, cannot even classify as a "French" bistro.  It's a kick in the guts for Englishness!They have no doubt spent a fortune but NO! Bring back pubs.... take the Fox back from the French!  Wimbledon's got quite a few good pubs and, for my part, I will stay at the Crooked Billet (management and staff are great, good beer including my favorite tipple Directors and it feels pubby :) )I've never been a big fan of Youngs historically but they seem to have a grasp on English life :)Marc (Rant over)

Marc Brooks ● 5049d

The trouble with the pub trade in the UK is that we have to evolve :( With everyone wanting their pound of flesh on the sale of alcohol, and responsible publicans being tarred with the same brush as the off-trade who "fuel up" people prior to them coming out and cause health risks, the only real hope left for most publicans is to focus on our food trade.. I agree, it's sad, and when I look at my history of pubs and how many of them are now eateries, D&B clubs, or just simply housing estates, it makes me sad :(

Paul Green ● 5049d

Yeh, had loads of history but, whilst the new owners are calling it a pub, it really isn't and can only really qualify as an eatery/gastro bar/bistro.  The bar is more of a waiting area for a table to eat.  It's very well done but just not a pub any longer by good old english standards :(

Marc Brooks ● 5062d

Really?What a shameIt was a very famous pub in its time wasn't it?What is it now?

Sara Nathan ● 5062d