Yorkshire Penny Bank

This place could work if it was better laid out. I'd have a central, oval bar in the middle. That way there's so much more points of service, rather than as mentioned ppl queuing three deep at the back of the bar.
That of course would need money spending, and if they are not getting much weekday trade (they don't do food I don't think?), then money is going to be tight.

 

Plus it would depend on what they can actually change in there as I understand that some of the interior is listed

 

True that - but that bar they have right now wasn't there before. Looks a bit stupid - too small, not enough height doesn't really go with the rest of the interior. I'd get something in keeping with the theme - nice marble top, maybe some old safes incorporated into the bar, stuff like that. As I said - needs some money chucking at it to make it look the part, and that might be like throwing money into the wind.

Anyway, hope the new place does well, and is not just a rush job to try and make as much money as it can before the bank closes it down (pun intended).

 

They struggled on match day never mind any other day, although calling yourself the City Gent, and trying to attract football fans - then not having the football on the tv always seemed daft to me.

 

It stank in there last time I was in.

 

Always the way to go, TB.
An Oval or 'Island Bar' is always the best in a large area.
Many pubs that have closed down, have done so because they have the old 'Boxed Bar' ... with limited access, for both staff and punters.
Punters on a night out like 'fast food' - But they also want quicker booze !

 

A funny subject ................. Pubs .............
I recall speaking to a native of Barrow, who ran the 'Globe' in Dunstable, all those years back.
I once challenged him on food and entertainment - or lack of it !

His riposte was that as the pub served both nuts and crisps, as well as providing a Jukebox and Dart board, the pub filled all boxes, providing a good pint was always pulled.
And yes - The lad pulled a damn good pint .... no argument.

Yet Brian (my age), failed to see things were changing, and lifestyles were altering.
It's not so much about the layout of the Pub - more to do with attraction, and what's on offer. Although easy access to the Bar and good service helps.

I guess location also helps.
I live within easy reach of two Pubs ......... One delivers good food and a reasonable pint, whilst the other serves crap food, but a reasonable pint. The difference ? The one serving crap food is on a major dual carriageway, next to a Morrisons supermarket, and enjoys more 'passing trade'

 

The Turf, some memories in there!

 

It definitely faces towards Mecca.

 

Do they deliver to Clayton??

 

I would attach chrome poles to the floor and ceiling being very carefull not to damage the ornate plastered ceiling.This would allow people to dance, while gentleman enjoyed a pre match drink.

 

It cleared up when you left.

 

My favourite pre match watering hole , i never have trouble getting served .

 

In my youth and young adulthood, I used to be out all the time, sometimes 7 nights a week. Partly because there was little else to do (3 tv channels, no internet and gaming in its absolute infancy - anyone fancy a game of ping pong on the binatone?), partly because a night out was cheap as chips, but mainly because there used to be a real 'buzz' on a night out. Things are different now, I haven't experienced a real 'buzz' on a night out for years, even at Christmas and New Year. It's sad but I'm not sure what the answer is as there are far more entertainment options open to people now that are more enjoyable and give you better value than trawling round a few empty bars with zero atmosphere and only slightly more customers.

 

Marr

Marriage killed the buzz for me too.

 

Or you do something no one else is doing. Have a USP.

I have a bar over here. Built it from scratch in one of the worst areas of Tallinn. Everyone said I was mad. No one would go there. There was no other bars, restaurants or anything in fact. Rent was cheap.
But I knew I had a good product. I'd spent the year prior to opening the bar importing and selling craft beers from the UK (Brewdog, Thornbridge, even Saltaire!), US and other places. This kind of beer just hadn't been tasted before. So opening a bar selling just this type of beer, and because I was the importer of them, making them exclusively available at my place was a logical step.
And they came. And kept coming. Been open five years, annual turnover has grown year on year. The area is now THE place to visit in Tallinn. There's restaurants, bars, a theatre, galleries and offices around my bar. We're the most visited place via Uber in Estonia.
Problem with bars is, people sit behind them, and think how easy it would be on the other side. It's a bloody hard job. But if you find the right mix - atmosphere, service, customers, quality, pricing and of course product, then there's a chance you'll succeed.

As I have said, the problem with that place, is that it may have beautiful ceilings, but they are bloody high. This immediately makes the atmosphere a problem. The location and style of the bar sucks, and the place seems to be a bit soul less, which is a great shame as it's got huge potential. Nice corner location, amazing facade and interior, a few other quality bars alongside it, in an upcoming area. IF a person does throw money at it, I hope they have the sense that they aren't going to get a return immediately. Patience, building up a brand/image and customer base is the key.

Hope to visit soon!

 

The City Gent won't succeed under any guise because there is not enough footfall of the kind needed to make it pay, those feet had just about all gone by 2000 and none have come back.

The Turf has zero chance either, the local demographic change has seen to that. My Mil is often in BRI so we regularly pass this pub about 7pm and then 9pm, often there are zero customers in, I bet I've never seen more than 3! Further up a pub that was always miles better, The Kings Arms, has closed for good and the Turf's target customers stopped going about 20 years ago. Look opposite, the Italian restaurant that was a destination in the 80's and 90's but has changed hands 3 times in the past 12 months, that'll be shut soon too........