chrisharvey

Hi all, just for confirmation the old owner has been in once for a drink. The gentlemen being referred to is working for us doing some painting etc. He bears a resemblance to the old owner but believe me this is a case of mistaken identity. Comments appreciated, as you say the pub is huge and feels a bit cavernous. We needed a blank canvas to work from and needed to get a feel for the place. Some colours, more plants and bits shall be coming. This is very much a work in progress, things will keep developing over time. Thanks for all who have come so far. All your comments are appreciated.

Antonia might but i'm good with that suggestion - please send pictures to ....

Hi all well we've been busy and are nearly ready - some paint may be a bit sticky but on the whole we're looking good. bring a jumper or a coat if your a smoker, or just stand a bit closer to the lighter, no heaters here. our chef is preparing mini samples of some of the menu to give away. so come along and have a drink - enjoy some great free food - then you can judge for yourselves. many thanks for all the positive input, look forward to seeing you later.

Hi everyone we shall be officially opening as The Cherry Tree on thursday the 30th. All are welcome to come and see what we've down to the place and what the pub can offer to the community. We shall be open prior to this, but with work still happening and the old guard stil in place. Once again thanks for all the positive input. Chris & Antonia.

Odd - i seem to recall starting this thread to ask for peoples input on what they would like to see at the pub. Seems strange to me that that should be taken as telling people what to expect. For your information we shall still be showing some football but as stated we will not be a sports bar. We will be having live music (probably on a saturday night) but we will not be becoming a venue. you can expect good service, good food, good ales, good wine and hopefully a generally good time. i will be starting a new thread today to confirm the official opening date of "the cherry tree"

Hi Yellowfence Nice to see that you have just registered on the forum to post this. i get the feeling some people simply view this thread as a last chance to have a bitch at the formers chaps. i started it with the intent of informing people of change and requested peoples positive input. if you bothered to read the thread you would have seen that we have received many encouraging comments. while i fully appreciate that there are some negative comments with regard to the former gentlemen, these should be left in the past - where and when they may have been relevant. We plan to bring change and fresh faces to brighten the pubs future. Those who wish to see such a future shall be very welcome - those who wish to be unnecessarily negative will probably find this is not the pub for them. Thanks very much to all of you who have been positive, as for those who have been negative i sincerely wish you all a more positive future.

hi all i started this post to advise everyone there were changes taking place at the vale and to ask for input and suggestions. thanks to those who have contributed positively - much appreciated. i believe i have been completely honest and not sought to misslead, this is posted in my own name not some made up one. I can confirm that we are taking over the pub as a new seperate company with complete autonomy and shall be running it as we choose and see fit, taking into account some of the positive feedback received. i must also say that while i cannot comment on the abilities of the existing owners as pub managers, we have found them to be more than reasonable during our negotiations for the takeover. i would therefore request that everyone please look to the future in a positive light - we certainly do. all financing is in place and we are just waiting for confirmation of dates before we change to "the cherry tree". we will advise you all when the date is confirmed.

Let's set the record straight for everyone. We are new managers who will be running under our own company which is its own trading entity. I think there are very few pubs who are run by the actual owners, hence most pubs being tied to breweries who actually own them with leaseholders/managers who run them. We are a seperate company and have complete autonomy, we shall therefore manage the pub as we see fit and proper. We shall be making changes to the pub to improve it and welcome people's input in this regard. Our intention is to make this into a quality community based pub for all to enjoy.

currently managing the ship in kennington for some old friends. it was particularly poor and has now become a little gem. unfortunately the kitchen was already franchised out before we got there, so completely out of our control. we leaving that to come and do the the vale (the cherry tree) so not backup - 100% commitment. keep the food suggestions coming, much appreciated - all i can say for sure is there will be plenty of veggie options.

we currently have a quiz (tues) at our existing pub which proves to be one of our busiest nights of the week. i think you both can be right, like everything it's getting the balance right. our current quiz is an hour and 15 mins of general hilarity ending with a boisterous bingo, enjoyed by quizzers and non quizzers alike - we don't tend to take such things too seriously - i hate formal quizzes. basically nothing is set in stone, the pub will evolve and develop naturally, not in a forced manner, we'll see what fits when we're in. same applies on the sports front, we will definately be keeping one screen.

Sorry Liz Please take my comments in context and in the humour they were meant. If you read the thread this was referring to the name suggestion. No offence meant in any way.

i think jah lush wins the prize for the first to get it - free pint for you. the cherry tree is looking like the winner. the vile has to go as does any irish references. norman wisdomites most welcome, bernard manning, brakes bros definately not. we are free from tie, so we will be stocking numerous ales from local micros. i will speak to the reigate boys, thanks for that. we will keep you all posted - many thanks for the positive input.

we're just waiting for comfirmation of date from the brewery we will advise all as soon as we know - soon - very soon

posts and requests received from the norman wisdomites, the ukelele club sounds fun - yes yes thanks for all the encouraging responses

sorry footy gone, fruit machines gone, quiz machine gone (real quiz coming). we have a number of bands lined up, not genre specific - always keen to explore new ones - please send us a link. all music/bands will be playing at the rear event area, we will pay the musicians - no tickets and no charge for the customers. this is a pub which will have live music - we're not going to become a venue.

i'll look into the fruit beers, though initially that's likely to be restricted to apples (real apples). we're definately in favour of conversation over screen gawping. one screen will be kept for what we term significant events - but we will definately not be described as sports bar.

yes, we will have to close briefly for the work to be done. it's a done deal but still waiting (on the brewery) for official dates. i must say the guys in there have actually been very good to us, allowing us to start some of the internal stuff. we will keep you all posted on opening date as soon as clarified.

No - we're all new (and shinny) we actually like people - you will be treated accordingly

thanks for your encouragement and advice. i'm a real ale drinker so lots of local ales planned. we've got a quality chef lined up - food will be a bit different (not too posh)

i'm sure you will pleased to hear there are changes happening at the vale pub. we (chris & antonia) are taking over the pub. we have our own ideas on what we would like to bring to ED, but are very keen for input and suggestions from local residents. we're looking for local artists who wish to display their work. we're planning live music, so if your a local musician or band member PM us. we're very excited to soon be part of your community - we'll keep you all posted on developments.