Residents' Association Forum

I see there is a sign on the Red Lion saying 'closed for refurb' and the 'For Lease' sign has been taken down.

Any news? I heard a rumour that it was being turned into a more restauranty establishment, but have no more than that.

yes i saw the sign last night, be great if so.

Yes - I gather that it will be closed for six weeks and that new tenant Dominic who runs Woody's (?) in Kingston aims to make it more of a bar restaurant.  I am told that Woody's has a good chef who will be coming to the Red Lion.

Let's hope that works out well.

happy days, wish them every success

That's interesting. Thanks.

Hopefully, if they keep the same opening hours as Kingston, that will mean a bit less late night noise and maybe a quieter clientele. (Though to be fair The Red Lion hasn't been bad noise-wise under the current management.)

I've never seen a pub that's more in need of a refurb.  The fact that the door to the rear 'conservatory' still has a 'we take Access' (predecessor to Mastercard) sign on it says it all.  Very glad to see that some money is being spent on it, rather than it going the way of the Olde Harrow  (Any word on the planning appeal on that front?)

Let's hope they keep the pool table and dart board.  Somehow I doubt they will :(

And I guess that means no more Sweet Pea...

:(

That said the OH pointed out that I have got Sweet Pea takeway twice this year...

nice post count ;)

Darn - I should've realised before I made that post !!

Ah well!

ruined it now!

I'll wait until Juninho gets 944 posts before I get too excited   :P

:D

That is really good news.  Woodys in Kingston is great.  Just what the village needs!  Reckon it will do really well.
Let's hope they don't go building any aircraft hangers and hack off the residents before they open.

:D

Yes, the development was approved on appeal. 

I'd like to see a return of the bar billiards table they used to have. The more you drink the better you get!

Sounds a good night out!

I always find with pub/bar games (darts, pool, etc etc) - there is a bell curve like effect ... the more you drink the better you get until to a certain point where it starts to deteriorate!

And fast.

Hmm perhaps bell curve is the wrong description - the picture would look more like a hill that leads to a cliff!!

yup agree

do we know if it's going to be another woody's or a new venture?

Will this be a sports bar as the Swan don't show any and the George is Rugby focused. Perhaps, they may go down the route of American Cheers style bar being "woodys" or maybe alternative ski / snowboarding / bmx etc. Either option will be welcome - I hope a traditional pub is not planned, we have those!

dont get the impression it will be a sports bar but I may be wrong.

I think they are turning it into 'The Beige Lion', or if you are being really modern 'The Taupe Lion'.  I thought it was 'The Grey Lion', but I think that was the undercoat. 

I think it already looks heaps better

anyone got an opening date? Its been 4 weeks already

Its been a while but I reckon we need another TD pub crawl and we can time it to include the refurbed red lion when it opens?

Erm - might have to be before the end of October for me as I can't see myself having any time from early November onwards... 

I'd be up for that. Probably better earlier in October ?

Works for me!

Possibly the first weekend in October? Or failing that the second?

I'll check the calendars etc and start a new thread and we can just hope the red lion has been re opened in time!

From what I heard it was going to be a gay bar!

I think the Lion intends to reopen in a fortnight or so, though works to replace the conservatory with a better structure (subject to pp) would continue.

As for its likely clientele and how merry and bright that will be, we shall see

I assume who ever told you this was trying to be vaguely sarcastic and should drag themselves into the 21st century - just because its painted in nice tasteful colours and the new owner obviously has pride in its appearance.... doesn't mean its out of place in THD - which was probably their inference with the gay bar comment! 

agree

its looking really good in there, opening imminent!

The outside is looking very smart and there was quite a lot of activity last night - looked like staff training.
Still not finished inside - yes, I've turned into a peeping tom - but shouldn't be long now.

Fingers crossed that the exterior impression is a good reflection of the quality of the overall establishment!

Id suggest a pub crawl but we've had one recently...

was there for the launch last night, they've done a great job in there, its going to be a real asset to the village.

Totally agree - we also went and it was a great night and a fantastic turn out from the villagers,  which is encouraging... really wish them well. We've got from Manchester down for the weekend so we will be taking them there one evening!

Didn't know it was an open invitation, or we would have gone too!

I popped in today.  Very congenial, and I like the new sign too
[img width=500 height=470]http://residents-association.com/images/lion_staff.jpg[/img]

(http://residents-association.com/images/red_lion_barmaids.jpg)

Moreover, I gather that Dominic will be living in the flat over the pub, so that's an excellent sign too!

ooh - great pics!   :P 

I'm hopefully popping in this evening and will be trying out some of their menu - if anyone sampled yesterday, please pass on any recommendations.   Very exciting...

Ah such a shame - we are having an NCT group meeting in the Swan !

Hmm maybe I can convince some people to go the Red Lion after that?

A mini informal pub crawl!

I like it!

I just took the kids for an early dinner, can recommend!

I took the kids for lunch on Saturday and the food was great.  HUGE portions as well.  I think they need to up their marketing as it was very quiet in there.  Still, early days.

Yes, early days - interesting choice of furniture!

We went - the food was very good and generous helpings - no complaints. Like the electic furnishings... rather funky. 

I was in tonight too, enjoying the 'Freedom beer'

Sorry late posting but we went there on Sunday for a roast and the food was lovely from the roast to the apple pie at the end.

The decor is a bit strange to some but I like it!

And I do like the brooklyn 'dark' slightly bitter lager too.

Excellent.  We aim to give it a try soon.

I like the  lion's head  doorknocker sign, and it seems to me that that and other hints of quirkiness fit well with the many beloved eccentricities of this village.

Had a really nice meal in the Red Lion last night. My daughter was impressed as well. Only down part was £6.70 for a Malibu and Coke - unless I'm geeting old and don't live in the real world!

drinking Malibu and Coke you're living in 1984 ;)

I'd love a Babysham!

hahahaha, glace cherry!

Will have to tell my daughter. I enjoyed a carafe of wine.

ah lovely. I do like it in there.

Wha wha wha.