Herne Tavern play area to be demolished

[Earl Aelfheah]

Must admit, I haven't been there for years. It's a shame - nice pub, but just a bit too far from the main drag.

[Saffron]

Well, serioulsy if they don't improve the food, it will not matter whether there is a playground or not, b/c no one will go there anyway.

Went there for my birthday a while back, and the food was very hit-or-miss and the service was not great either.

Ate there recently and it was special kind of really, REALLY bad. It was not only non-eatable, it was actually non-edible!!

The playground is still there for now, though partially broken. Plan seems to be to move it to the back of the gardern? On reflection, I don't think that's a great idea, as putting the children't area somewhere that it can't clearly be easily seen is bound to end up badly, no? A children's area needs to be highly visible, surely?

I really hope this pub will improve -- food and playgound -- as it's actually a lovely venue in a nice location with so much potential.

I would love to see a simple menu really well done, and just a bit of TLC on the playground would go a long way.

In the meantime, I can highly recommend the All Inn One (Foresters Bar) in Forest Hill as having an excellent menu and playground. Best to get a reservation on weekend afternoons/evenings. xx

[THEHERNE]

Dear Saffron,

I am writing in regard to our post of October 11th, and to apologise for your bad experiences.

I can only say that i agree with you, things have not been what they should've been and we have already taken a number of steps to get things on track, i am sure your bad experience wasn't within the last 3 weeks.

The first steps taken really focus in on the staff, we have employed a superb new GM or and equally superb new head chef, they have both acheived great things in their recentb positions and we have invested in them coming on board.

I have myself moved into the premises to personally oversee a number of improvements, these are to be across the board, service, product offering, food quality, menus, the whole shebang.

We are going about things in a planned and thought out manner, our mandate is to make progess every day.

You may have noticed on our social media, Twt: @TheHerne FB: The Herne, various new messages coming out regarding weekly specials and new menus, as i say we are being measured about this and until certain physical changes are made we cant unveil our full plans, rest assured i'm sure you'll be excited about them.

In terms of the play area, yes we are planning to move this to the rear of the garden, the reason being that we want to utilise the Barn as additional play space, similarly to The Florence in Herne Hill, it will be fitted with a new floor, soft play items, a big screen etc..

Our reasoning for the move is that the existing siting uses 35% of the garden space, we simply need more qualiatative trading space, this area will be refurbished and hard paved for more events space direct table service in time for next summer.

The play area itself is to be more forestry themed than at present, they'll be mini log tables and benches, bark pits, clambering logs and willow tunnels / wigwams.

The Barn when not privately booked becomes utilised for those wishing to sit inside and play, 99% of parents sit outside when their children are, so the location of the space shouldn't be an issue, we genuinely are trying to please everybody.

As a parent of 5 children, of varying ages, i understand the challenges of socialising and relaxing, whilst caring for your children, i also am very understanding of those wishing to relax who may not have children, creating a free flowing dedicated zone than can be utilised in all weathers i hope will keep all happy.

We are here to give as much as an open door on our thoughts and best meant ideas, i hope in time they succceeed in looking after all of the local community and their desires for The Herne.

Best wishes,

Cymon Eckel

[????]

We went for Sunday Lunch the first time in ages the week before last - massive improvement. Food and service was very good.

[the-e-dealer]

Well you cant say fairer than that!

[cheekychops]

I'm quite glad it's being moved. Pubs are for adults and they should not have to have their drink interrupted by noisy children who's parents pop in for a coffee once in a blue moon. The Herne is dead on a Friday and Saturday night and during the week, you just get the regulars.

The new GM seems okay, but nobody can beat the temporary manager at The Clockhouse, she's brilliant and it's such a shame she's over covering until a permanent manager can be found.

The gents loo at The Herne is filthy, they have limited stock, and any improvements will be welcome.

[StraferJack]

Farking youngs employee registering to have a pop at the Herne?

Typical of the class Youngs lacks

[cheekychops]

Erm, I'm not an employee. I'm a regular!!!

[StraferJack]

That was my second guess

[cheekychops]

What's wrong with me bigging up a great manager of a pub - most of them a crap, useless and slow around here!!

[StraferJack]

Anywhere I've ever lived, youngs have destroyed a cracking pub.

But feel free to big it up on a thread about the clock house. This thread is about a different pub. Called.....

[the-e-dealer]

ah yes the Cockhouse used to be great.

[Peckhamrye]

With Strafer Jack on this and Youngs....

[StraferJack]

To be fair, youngs have destroyed those cracking pubs despite having some lovely staff. But those staff (including managers) count for nothing against the wishes of hq

And the food. Well... I would rather eat mitchell and butler food. That's how bad I think it is

[Cedges]

All sounds great Cymon, but it's going to take more than your word to tempt me and my friends back to part with our hard earned money to potentially find out you're wrong. What about a menu tasting evening fur locals to show off your new improved selves?

[NewWave]

Glad to hear new staff are on board...I visited around August and ordered an Aperol Spritz from a moody looking girl standing at the bar, She didn't know what Aperol was...said you didn't have it so I pointed to the shelf behind the counter to point out the bottle.

Then neither she or the guy with her knew how to serve so I had to point out the recipe was infact printed on the label on the back of the bottle.

Must say the guy then took control and mixed a great drink, but the girl just looked bored and disinterested.

[Saffron]

THEHERNE Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Dear Saffron,

> I am writing in regard to our post of October

> 11th, and to apologise for your bad experiences.

>

> I can only say that i agree with you, things have

> not been what they should've been and we have

> already taken a number of steps to get things on

> track, i am sure your bad experience wasn't within

> the last 3 weeks.

>

Birthday dinner to which I referred was sometime ago. However, the recent incident to which I referred was most certainly within three weeks of the date of my post! Staff were apologetic about it, and DH and I take no personal offence of course. Meh, it's water under the bridge.

> The first steps taken really focus in on the

> staff, we have employed a superb new GM or and

> equally superb new head chef, they have both

> acheived great things in their recentb positions

> and we have invested in them coming on board.

>

I genuinely hope things will be improving with those changes. The venue has so much potential.

...

> In terms of the play area, yes we are planning to

> move this to the rear of the garden, the reason

> being that we want to utilise the Barn as

> additional play space, similarly to The Florence

> in Herne Hill, it will be fitted with a new floor,

> soft play items, a big screen etc..

>

...

> The Barn when not privately booked becomes

> utilised for those wishing to sit inside and play,

> 99% of parents sit outside when their children

> are, so the location of the space shouldn't be an

> issue,...

So you are going to have additional seating in the back by the (moved) play area? Hmm, it could work.

> we genuinely are trying to please

> everybody.

>

Good luck with that.

> We are here to give as much as an open door on our

> thoughts and best meant ideas, i hope in time they

> succceeed in looking after all of the local

> community and their desires for The Herne.

>

> Best wishes,

>

> Cymon Eckel

Best wishes to you too, Cymon. The Herne is not our local, but we continue to visit it at variable intervals. I hope next time Hubbie and I will enjoy the benefits of your labours. xx

[Wowee Zowee]

I hope they turn the music down. I love music, but the music levels (coupled with it being horrendously bad 90's - set you free by n-trance on a sunday afternoon????) have kept well me away from what should have been a lovely cosy local.