Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: el león Benidorm on May 13, 2016, 03:53:50 PM

Title: Aston Hotel
Post by: el león Benidorm on May 13, 2016, 03:53:50 PM
Firstly, apologies if this has been covered in another thread and mods, please move if it has.

I have just read that the Aston Hotel is to be turned into a centre for the homeless.

This for me is a very sad day. Whilst I have been overseas for a few years now, the first pub that I used for a pre and post match drink was the Aston Hotel.

Years spent as a Season Ticket holder always included the ritual of the Aston before and after.

Always a great atmosphere and in a great location.

The fact that a pub has closed in such a prime position is endemic of the way that things are now. If managed correctly by local investors, it should have easily been able to stay open in it's correct form for supporters to use.

Breweries want too much and do not realise half the time what a gem that they have on their hands when imposing ludicrous rents and inflated barrelage prices for tenants.

Soon there will be nowhere to drink around the ground... but I suppose that is what the idiots who run the game want now.

It will only be a matter of time before the burger vans and the scarf/badge sellers are priced out of the market.

A very sad day indeed.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Marlon From Bearwood on May 13, 2016, 04:00:08 PM
It was closed throughout this season too but I get your point. Unfortunately the "match day experience" at VP is poor and getting worse. What few pubs are left charge an admission fee and are overcrowded. And as for places to eat, forget about it. I generally drink in town now pre match.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: brian green on May 13, 2016, 04:00:46 PM
Agree Leon, and like so many vanishing pubs that one really was a very fine building in its day.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: PeterWithesShin on May 13, 2016, 04:04:28 PM
Unfortunately for fans it's not just a match day pub though, it's got to be a viable business on the other 340ish days a year we aren't at home.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Tony Erdington on May 13, 2016, 04:07:16 PM
I think a lot of us used to go the pub before and after, but as time has gone by I tend to drift back towards Erdington, as I'm certainly not putting money in the hands of the door staff in pubs in Aston.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: DaveD on May 13, 2016, 04:09:34 PM
I used to drink in there before and after games back when I had a season ticket, but that was over 15 years ago...
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: brian green on May 13, 2016, 04:12:52 PM
One way of solving the match days only trade problem could be like the system used at the races.  Contractors man the pumps on days when there is demand.  Problem is the drink prices go sky high to cover the uneconomic opening pattern.  A pint of lager bought from, say, Letherby and Christopher at Newmarket would be very much higher than a 365 days a year pub.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Des Little on May 13, 2016, 04:14:31 PM
Charging to get into a pub is just an utter nonsense and is the precise reason why I drink in town before and after games.  It's a very short sighted stance in my view, especially given the possibility that footfall will be down next season.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: AVH87 on May 13, 2016, 04:21:17 PM
Quite sad when you think how many pubs have gone from around the ground over the last couple of years - The Adventurers, The Aston Hotel, is the Witton Arms closed too?

I drink in the Aston Tavern now pre-games, huge pub so plenty of room most of the time, do charge £3 but that includes a turkey and stuffing baguette if you'll eat any old rubbish after a couple of pints! I think the only other pub really close to the ground is the Aston Social? Then there's a couple of others a bit further out like The Sacred Heart and another one which has recently been taken over.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: el león Benidorm on May 13, 2016, 04:24:47 PM
One way of solving the match days only trade problem could be like the system used at the races.  Contractors man the pumps on days when there is demand.  Problem is the drink prices go sky high to cover the uneconomic opening pattern.  A pint of lager bought from, say, Letherby and Christopher at Newmarket would be very much higher than a 365 days a year pub.

One of the other ways is to close half the pub off that isn't being used on none match days. Use a skeleton staff to keep the turnover. Most pubs outside a city centre rely on weekend trade which buffers the quieter times.
The breweries need to acknowledge this and not screw the tenants with extortionate prices on beer.
The main issue is that most of the time the breweries will see it as a problem unit, and put rookie licensees in there or managers on rotation. They do not care and are looking constantly at the calendar on when they are leaving as opposed to someone who will take it and make it work.

Football pubs are hard premises to run, but if run right, they can make great venues.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: PeterWithesShin on May 13, 2016, 04:25:12 PM
I went past the Witton Arms yesterday and it was open. The Yew Tree is pretty close as well.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: AVH87 on May 13, 2016, 04:26:57 PM
I went past the Witton Arms yesterday and it was open. The Yew Tree is pretty close as well.

Ah yes the Yew Tree is another, think that's away fans only though?
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: PeterWithesShin on May 13, 2016, 04:39:40 PM
Home fans mainly as far as I know. I don't use it but always seems to have Villa outside when i've gone past on a match day.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Countryside Villain on May 13, 2016, 04:45:37 PM
Certainly sad to see decent pubs go under like that.  It's a fine building and moderately residential around there too.  At least it's being put to good use rather than left to rot. 
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: brian green on May 13, 2016, 04:52:53 PM
My daughter tells me that the Oakhams rep who sells her beer, suggests that the owner is not over enamoured with the Barton's. Probably idle chit chat.  My daughter does get chatted up a lot.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on May 13, 2016, 05:05:08 PM
i saw the planning application about a year ago and it was for a womens refuge

Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Legion on May 13, 2016, 05:24:55 PM
Yew Tree is mainly for home fans but well-behaved away fans also drink there.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: dave.woodhall on May 13, 2016, 05:31:17 PM
One way of solving the match days only trade problem could be like the system used at the races.  Contractors man the pumps on days when there is demand.  Problem is the drink prices go sky high to cover the uneconomic opening pattern.  A pint of lager bought from, say, Letherby and Christopher at Newmarket would be very much higher than a 365 days a year pub.

One of the other ways is to close half the pub off that isn't being used on none match days. Use a skeleton staff to keep the turnover. Most pubs outside a city centre rely on weekend trade which buffers the quieter times.
The breweries need to acknowledge this and not screw the tenants with extortionate prices on beer.
The main issue is that most of the time the breweries will see it as a problem unit, and put rookie licensees in there or managers on rotation. They do not care and are looking constantly at the calendar on when they are leaving as opposed to someone who will take it and make it work.

Football pubs are hard premises to run, but if run right, they can make great venues.


Most pubs aren't owned by breweries now; they're privately owned. The running costs for a place like that must be high even if you only have one room open. It's been shut for a couple of years and better a building like that open as something else than empty and vandalised.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: dave shelley on May 13, 2016, 07:25:09 PM
I am deeply saddened to hear this.  Not that I care nothing for the homeless, quite the opposite, it's just that my earliest memories of going down the Villa was: my dad taking me to meet his brothers before the match and us meeting them in the Aston Hotel.  They went in for a couple of pints whilst I went out the back into the grounds with a bottle of pop and a packet of crisps along with a good few of the other kids.  Another memory gone.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: flybo on May 13, 2016, 09:58:15 PM
i use it before and after every home game when open(after) with a few buds if i have to use the suite i will not be happy just not the same atmosphere in there. :-(
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Des Little on May 13, 2016, 10:40:46 PM
Sad to see The Adventurers get demolished today too
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Villafirst on May 14, 2016, 08:05:52 AM
"The match day experience" at VP has been shit for the last 6 years! This is supposed to be entertainment! Pure torture more like! Sad that these pubs are disappearing at an alarming rate. How accessible is the Holte pub these days? Never got an invite despite being a ST holder for many years.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: VillaAlways on May 14, 2016, 08:35:31 AM
We use the Swan and Mitre Paid a one off payment of £2 about 2 seasons ago which gave us life long membership. Cracking pub!
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: amfy on May 14, 2016, 09:09:52 AM
"The match day experience" at VP has been shit for the last 6 years! This is supposed to be entertainment! Pure torture more like! Sad that these pubs are disappearing at an alarming rate. How accessible is the Holte pub these days? Never got an invite despite being a ST holder for many years.

The season ticket raffle stopped a few seasons ago. It is £4 to get in with a free programme (or £3 without a programme) but pretty easy to get in these days.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: DB on May 14, 2016, 09:17:25 AM
It was our pub of choice up until about 10 years ago, when we all were single free and time to have a few beers before and after a match. Good that it's being put to good use.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Clampy on May 14, 2016, 09:18:43 AM
I hate the phrase 'match day experience'. As for drinks before the game, there's still plenty of places to choose from. The Holte Suite and Pub, Aston Tavern, Yew Tree, Aston Social, Sacred Heart and then you've got a couple in Perry Barr.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: amfy on May 14, 2016, 09:21:13 AM
Sad to see The Adventurers get demolished today too

Very odd to see it gone as I drove past in the way home from work yesterday. It's not a pub I've been in more than a handful of times, but it has been part of my match day scenery all my life.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: saunders_heroes on May 14, 2016, 10:32:54 AM
It was our pub of choice up until about 10 years ago, when we all were single free and time to have a few beers before and after a match. Good that it's being put to good use.

Yeah I used to use the Aston Hotel until that awful refurb (if that's what you'd call it), they had a DJ playing mind numbing loud music as soon as the match had finished when all the punters wanted was to have a drink and a chat after the match. It's such a fantastic building and while it's sad to see its demise as a pub at least it's been put to good use.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: darren woolley on May 14, 2016, 12:32:11 PM
I used to go in the Aston Hotel some good times in there.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: The Edge on May 14, 2016, 04:02:38 PM
The  vast majority of people living around the Aston Hotel are non drinkers. It had a spell as a bit of a ghetto pub on a Saturday night but it became pretty dangerous and wasn't worth the hassle. 20 home games per year would never cover the overheads. It had to go. Sadly.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: dave shelley on May 14, 2016, 04:17:10 PM
Something I've just remembered about the Aston Hotel.  It was used as the branch headquarters of our union.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: clash city rocker on May 14, 2016, 04:43:53 PM
Sign of the times isn't it. Not just around the ground but all over pubs have been closing for many years. Around kiddy so many pubs have closed in the last ten years..will there be any left in 20 years time apart from wetherspoons.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Percy McCarthy on May 14, 2016, 04:52:40 PM
A lot of inner-city pubs are being revived by people of Indian descent turning them into nice curry pubs. The Railway and the Soho Tavern in Handsworth were absolutely on their arse until recently, but look great now.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Jimbo on May 14, 2016, 07:52:25 PM
A lot of inner-city pubs are being revived by people of Indian descent turning them into nice curry pubs. The Railway and the Soho Tavern in Handsworth were absolutely on their arse until recently, but look great now.

Dead right. With hard work and a bit of imagination there's no reason why these places can't be turned around.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Legion on May 14, 2016, 08:20:15 PM
The Royal Oak in Rushall has had the same refurbishment. Quality.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: sickbeggar on May 14, 2016, 08:46:57 PM
Smoking laws killed pubs. Who wants to go outside every 30 minutes in the middle of winter? Unfortunately the biggest drinkers tended to be the biggest smokers and lets face it sitting at home with some cans is a better idea than freezing your knob off for most people, so they left and the wholesale closure of pubs began. Now you get laughable pub/restaurants. well i'd go to a restaurant if i want a meal as i don't want people walking round me while i'm sitting at a table eating. That's why the whole seperate concepts of restaurants and pubs evolved, rather than pub/restaurants. Worst still are places that welcome kids so you get them running around causing mayhem because their parents can't deal with the inconvenience of giving up some pastimes in exchange for reproducing. I know when i was young my parents would never have dreamt of taking me near a pub but what the hell lets have them eating their kiddie menu's meals next to a load of builders swearing at the bar. Inevitable that real "pubs" will disappear totally in the next 10 years
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Woofles The Wonder Dog on May 14, 2016, 09:47:56 PM
Would you believe there are even pubs these days that don't provide spittoons? I mean, fancy having to hawk your loogies on the floor! It's indefensible.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: robbo1874 on May 15, 2016, 12:41:36 AM
Its been 10 years since I last went to VP, so having a bit of trouble remembering which one the Aston Hotel is. Is it the one on Witton Lane near the roundabout that used to be the Cap and Gown for a while?
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: DaveD on May 15, 2016, 12:53:12 AM
Its been 10 years since I last went to VP, so having a bit of trouble remembering which one the Aston Hotel is. Is it the one on Witton Lane near the roundabout that used to be the Cap and Gown for a while?

Yes and no. IIRC, the Cap and Gown was on the other side of the roundabout.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: PeterWithesShin on May 15, 2016, 01:04:57 AM
Cap and Gown is the Witton Arms.

This is the Aston Hotel.

(http://media.rightmove.co.uk/dir/95k/94678/44339419/94678_4598887_IMG_00_0000_max_656x437.jpg)
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: PeterWithesShin on May 15, 2016, 01:06:21 AM
When I was looking on Google for that image, seems the Aston Hotel was sold for £430K a couple of years ago.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Dave Cooper please on May 15, 2016, 01:34:21 AM
Good pubs don't shut.
I live in an area similar to Aston if we are talking ethnicity, we have had several pubs shut down in the last few years but they were all the ones that refused to move with the times. I'm all for your traditional boozer but if the punters are no longer drinking there then they must be going somewhere better, if that is home then the pub has failed to make their pub better than sitting in front of the TV, their fault.

Of all the pubs that have closed within a 2 mile radius of my house just about all of them have been the sort of average boozer I wouldn't bother to go in because it  has nothing to offer apart from a lager and John Smiths. the age of the "local" has gone, we want more from our pub than just being down the road.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: robbo1874 on May 15, 2016, 01:41:30 AM
Ah, ok got it now. Just behind the Witton End? I think I only went in there once as it was never really on my way to the ground. I used to usually head straight to the ground and go in the bar upstairs in the Holte, McGregor's is it? And to the Harriers- chico Hamilton III has relatives that live round the corner from it- for a few seasons. That was a really good pre and post-match pub. Stella and and smoke outside.

Seems a shame that these pubs are going to the wall, for whatever reason. It's all cyclical though I suppose- some close as they can't stay relevant to their location, others find new ways to become viable businesses.

At least if the Aston Hotel will no longer be a pub, it will be providing a valuable service to the area as a homeless refuge. Better that than it being flattened and used as a car park once a fortnight.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: The Edge on May 15, 2016, 10:09:03 AM
Ah, ok got it now. Just behind the Witton End? I think I only went in there once as it was never really on my way to the ground. I used to usually head straight to the ground and go in the bar upstairs in the Holte, McGregor's is it? And to the Harriers- chico Hamilton III has relatives that live round the corner from it- for a few seasons. That was a really good pre and post-match pub. Stella and and smoke outside.

Seems a shame that these pubs are going to the wall, for whatever reason. It's all cyclical though I suppose- some close as they can't stay relevant to their location, others find new ways to become viable businesses.

At least if the Aston Hotel will no longer be a pub, it will be providing a valuable service to the area as a homeless refuge. Better that than it being flattened and used as a car park once a fortnight.
Aston hotel has gone as it wasn't viable as a pub any longer. Villa Tavern is still going strong.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Jimbo on May 15, 2016, 10:14:01 AM
Good pubs don't shut.
I live in an area similar to Aston if we are talking ethnicity, we have had several pubs shut down in the last few years but they were all the ones that refused to move with the times. I'm all for your traditional boozer but if the punters are no longer drinking there then they must be going somewhere better, if that is home then the pub has failed to make their pub better than sitting in front of the TV, their fault.

Of all the pubs that have closed within a 2 mile radius of my house just about all of them have been the sort of average boozer I wouldn't bother to go in because it  has nothing to offer apart from a lager and John Smiths. the age of the "local" has gone, we want more from our pub than just being down the road.

I agree with most of this, but I would say there are plenty of people who just want a pint of Carling and watch Sky Sports or whatever. They are usually quite lazy, though, and if the pub is handy for them it will still flourish.

With a place like the Aston Hotel, or the Bartons for that matter, they have to offer something special to get people to consider going there. And with Birmingham's public transport being so bad, it has to be something special to warrant the journey. Great beer, food and a nice building usually swings it.

The Aston Hotel could be a success with the right owner, just like another crumbling old institution in the vicinity.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Ron Manager on May 15, 2016, 10:28:10 AM
Good pubs don't shut.
I live in an area similar to Aston if we are talking ethnicity, we have had several pubs shut down in the last few years but they were all the ones that refused to move with the times. I'm all for your traditional boozer but if the punters are no longer drinking there then they must be going somewhere better, if that is home then the pub has failed to make their pub better than sitting in front of the TV, their fault.

Of all the pubs that have closed within a 2 mile radius of my house just about all of them have been the sort of average boozer I wouldn't bother to go in because it  has nothing to offer apart from a lager and John Smiths. the age of the "local" has gone, we want more from our pub than just being down the road.

I agree with most of this, but I would say there are plenty of people who just want a pint of Carling and watch Sky Sports or whatever. They are usually quite lazy, though, and if the pub is handy for them it will still flourish.

With a place like the Aston Hotel, or the Bartons for that matter, they have to offer something special to get people to consider going there. And with Birmingham's public transport being so bad, it has to be something special to warrant the journey. Great beer, food and a nice building usually swings it.

The Aston Hotel could be a success with the right owner, just like another crumbling old institution in the vicinity.

You mean the old tram garage?
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: el león Benidorm on May 16, 2016, 06:42:58 AM
One way of solving the match days only trade problem could be like the system used at the races.  Contractors man the pumps on days when there is demand.  Problem is the drink prices go sky high to cover the uneconomic opening pattern.  A pint of lager bought from, say, Letherby and Christopher at Newmarket would be very much higher than a 365 days a year pub.

One of the other ways is to close half the pub off that isn't being used on none match days. Use a skeleton staff to keep the turnover. Most pubs outside a city centre rely on weekend trade which buffers the quieter times.
The breweries need to acknowledge this and not screw the tenants with extortionate prices on beer.
The main issue is that most of the time the breweries will see it as a problem unit, and put rookie licensees in there or managers on rotation. They do not care and are looking constantly at the calendar on when they are leaving as opposed to someone who will take it and make it work.

Football pubs are hard premises to run, but if run right, they can make great venues.


Most pubs aren't owned by breweries now; they're privately owned. The running costs for a place like that must be high even if you only have one room open. It's been shut for a couple of years and better a building like that open as something else than empty and vandalised.

Most pubs are tenancies owned either by the breweries or a spin off group. The MMC made it law that you could only own 650 pubs in one chain. Hence why Scottish Courage all of a sudden became 4 seperate companies with Enterprise Inns etc. They screw tenants to the floor with high rents and ludicrous prices for beer. Thats where Wetherspoons make a killing as tenants can't compete.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: dave.woodhall on May 16, 2016, 08:44:20 AM
Enterprise have always been a separate company and I can't think of a pub around Villa Park that's ever been owned by a pubco.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: rim gk on October 27, 2017, 11:31:11 AM
Enterprise have always been a separate company and I can't think of a pub around Villa Park that's ever been owned by a pubco.
yew is owned by enterprise inns.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: rim gk on October 27, 2017, 11:38:16 AM
The loss of the aston hotel, guild arms, ads, britianna, the upper grounds, barn social and vine shows the demise and the unctrolable change not only of B6 but in most inner cities of the UK. I ws hoping the club would buy the aston hotel, instead it's accommodation for homeless people the locals were never pre advised  ,and makes the area look more of slum than it already its. Loss of the aston transport  museum was a tragedy, as it contained the history of Birmingham. Pakistani/Bangladeshi wedding venus have replaces the barn, upper grounds and one  next to the transport museum have opened. Theirs an opportunity for them to open a bar, but unlike the Indian community they will not provide this service. If look at north west birmingham/Sandwell  pubs are thriving with curries and mixed grills even recently the bell on booths farm road great Barr was up sale and brought by people who turned in to a curry pub but still kept traditions and the locals and regulars are happy.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: olaftab on October 27, 2017, 12:24:38 PM
Anything that preserves the great building is good news. It's becoming more and more difficult to run a viable pub business around Aston and Witton I guess.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: olaftab on October 27, 2017, 12:26:50 PM
The loss of the aston hotel, guild arms, ads, britianna, the upper grounds, barn social and vine shows the demise and the unctrolable change not only of B6 but in most inner cities of the UK. I ws hoping the club would buy the aston hotel, instead it's accommodation for homeless people the locals were never pre advised  ,and makes the area look more of slum than it already its. Loss of the aston transport  museum was a tragedy, as it contained the history of Birmingham. Pakistani/Bangladeshi wedding venus have replaces the barn, upper grounds and one  next to the transport museum have opened. Theirs an opportunity for them to open a bar, but unlike the Indian community they will not provide this service. If look at north west birmingham/Sandwell  pubs are thriving with curries and mixed grills even recently the bell on booths farm road great Barr was up sale and brought by people who turned in to a curry pub but still kept traditions and the locals and regulars are happy.
Can you recall any major rucks in Aston hotel in your time there?
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: wittonwarrior on October 27, 2017, 12:40:43 PM
Match day drinking at vp is poor to say the least with so few options every open establishment has a right to charge. The alternatives are the holte suite and pub. The suite atmosphere dead and pub lions club members only
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 27, 2017, 12:42:33 PM
Why would you expect Pakistani/Bangladeshi wedding specialists to provide a bar when their clientele don't drink? And what's wrong with providing accommodation for the homeless?
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: ChicagoLion on October 27, 2017, 12:49:51 PM
The loss of the aston hotel, guild arms, ads, britianna, the upper grounds, barn social and vine shows the demise and the unctrolable change not only of B6 but in most inner cities of the UK. I ws hoping the club would buy the aston hotel, instead it's accommodation for homeless people the locals were never pre advised  ,and makes the area look more of slum than it already its. Loss of the aston transport  museum was a tragedy, as it contained the history of Birmingham. Pakistani/Bangladeshi wedding venus have replaces the barn, upper grounds and one  next to the transport museum have opened. Theirs an opportunity for them to open a bar, but unlike the Indian community they will not provide this service. If look at north west birmingham/Sandwell  pubs are thriving with curries and mixed grills even recently the bell on booths farm road great Barr was up sale and brought by people who turned in to a curry pub but still kept traditions and the locals and regulars are happy.
Can you recall any major rucks in Aston hotel in your time there?
Larf
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: rim gk on October 27, 2017, 01:13:55 PM
Match day drinking at vp is poor to say the least with so few options every open establishment has a right to charge. The alternatives are the holte suite and pub. The suite atmosphere dead and pub lions club members only
the remaining boozers are doing enough non match day to keep going. Wittton arms get locals, regulars, and Irish dj nights, yew tree has a lot of private functions , bashment nights and a pool team to keep going as well as the villa. I'm not sure with the social, but I know they have private parties sometimes. When going to Wembley I have used the Asian wedding venues for the bar, they open up and serve supporters, clay oven is one, there's a restraunt  type too. .The barn, upper grounds and the one on witton Lane have been turned into these type of function venues, they have an opportunity for business, they have then venue location, they just needs a bar.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: oldhill_avfc on October 27, 2017, 01:43:54 PM
Match day drinking at vp is poor to say the least with so few options every open establishment has a right to charge. The alternatives are the holte suite and pub. The suite atmosphere dead and pub lions club members only

I notice the Albion use a (fenced off) bit of land in front of Greggs for live music, food and possibly drinking on match days.  I'd hate to directly copy what they do but it makes sense to consider alternatives if the pubs are unsustainable.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: rim gk on October 27, 2017, 01:47:06 PM
The hare of the dog in Perry barr has gone too along with the soon to go university. The crown and cushion has in to an African restraunt I think they have a bar, but most coming that's side would use the Arthur robertson Wetherspoon.  The African chap who opened the office licence at witton station has given what was needed, no paying entrance fees no extra charges on booze as it's match day. A real hard working bloke and entrepreneur  who has now opened the shop next as a grocery shop.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Pat McMahon on October 27, 2017, 02:14:45 PM
I don't understand why Villa don't keep the bars open to sell more food and drink for an hour after the game. Brighton did this last year and it reduced some of the pain of getting the train.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: rim gk on October 27, 2017, 02:29:53 PM
The Calthorpe arms which is a 10-15min walk from villa park is undergoing a major refurbishment/extention. They looking to compete with the Grove in Handsworth Wood and soho taven Hockley, with the curries and mixed grills. Looking at it could be next April till it opens. I went there towards the end of last season and they had a few villa flags and posted up. Could be a good shout after the refurbishment.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Villa75 on October 27, 2017, 03:29:07 PM
I don't understand why Villa don't keep the bars open to sell more food and drink for an hour after the game. Brighton did this last year and it reduced some of the pain of getting the train.

They used to not long ago, when I last had a season ticket. When did they stop?
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: dave.woodhall on October 27, 2017, 03:47:38 PM
I don't understand why Villa don't keep the bars open to sell more food and drink for an hour after the game. Brighton did this last year and it reduced some of the pain of getting the train.

They used to not long ago, when I last had a season ticket. When did they stop?

Probably when they realised it wasn't worth staying open.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Canadian Villa on October 27, 2017, 05:28:44 PM
I don't understand why Villa don't keep the bars open to sell more food and drink for an hour after the game. Brighton did this last year and it reduced some of the pain of getting the train.

Slightly different as Brighton is quite out of the way. Last time I was at VP i went in to the Aston Social afterwards and it was good fun. Although it really was a stopping off point for the crowds to disperse as every half an hour the DJ would announce that a load of taxis had pulled up.

Not much you can do if the area is changing and there isn't a need for good pubs. Eventually they will all die off until some entrepreneur comes up with an idea. It's all about supply and demand. There wasn't anyone in the Aston Tavern on the Friday night before a game last time I was there. Hard to see why anyone would buy into a pub that only has customers 11am-3pm and then 5pm-8pm every other saturday.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Clampy on October 27, 2017, 05:33:38 PM
The Holte Suite stays open after the game for a couple of hours.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Villa75 on October 27, 2017, 06:13:08 PM
The Holte Suite stays open after the game for a couple of hours.

Ah. That's what I was referring to.

Do you still have to be a season ticket holder to get in?

Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: rim gk on October 27, 2017, 06:24:22 PM
I don't understand why Villa don't keep the bars open to sell more food and drink for an hour after the game. Brighton did this last year and it reduced some of the pain of getting the train.

Slightly different as Brighton is quite out of the way. Last time I was at VP i went in to the Aston Social afterwards and it was good fun. Although it really was a stopping off point for the crowds to disperse as every half an hour the DJ would announce that a load of taxis had pulled up.

Not much you can do if the area is changing and there isn't a need for good pubs. Eventually they will all die off until some entrepreneur comes up with an idea. It's all about supply and demand. There wasn't anyone in the Aston Tavern on the Friday night before a game last time I was there. Hard to see why anyone would buy into a pub that only has customers 11am-3pm and then 5pm-8pm every other saturday.
if a traditional community moves out and is  replaced with a non drinking community then pubs will decline. Big chain pub like wether spoons, hungry horse, green king and These curry pubs are our hope of continuing the pub trade. It's was green King who saved the stockland and the hare and hounds on marsh Hill (marsh Hill one lasted 5 years and closed for retirement homes) the curry pub saved  the Ashbury taven on Newton road, calthorpe arms, and soho taven. The ones like the barn and upper grounds have bar facilities but dont serve alcohol, they should as bars are needed around Villa Park, they would also be contributing to match day traditions at the same time make money. 
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Clampy on October 27, 2017, 06:28:10 PM
The Holte Suite stays open after the game for a couple of hours.

Ah. That's what I was referring to.

Do you still have to be a season ticket holder to get in?



Before the game, yes. After the game, they tend not to check.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: dave shelley on October 27, 2017, 06:29:10 PM
Is this the Barn working mens social club you're talking about, situated beside the canal on Brookvale Road?  Has that gone? How long ago did that happen and, have they relocated elsewhere?  I never heard about it if so.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: rim gk on October 27, 2017, 06:32:38 PM
Is this the Barn working mens social club you're talking about, situated beside the canal on Brookvale Road?  Has that gone? How long ago did that happen and, have they relocated elsewhere?  I never heard about it if so.
no mate it's now called the marigold, well preserved and looks  Good. They offer parking facilities on match day for 5.00 but won't offer a bar and they easily could.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: dave shelley on October 27, 2017, 06:37:09 PM
Ta.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Villa75 on October 27, 2017, 06:41:10 PM
The Holte Suite stays open after the game for a couple of hours.

Ah. That's what I was referring to.

Do you still have to be a season ticket holder to get in?



Before the game, yes. After the game, they tend not to check.

That's great. Thanks.

I'm bringing a chap for his first game - a massive Villa fan - and I know he'd love to have a look around.

We're going to get there extra early so he can have a good look at the stadium, shop, etc.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: class-of-82 on October 27, 2017, 07:46:04 PM
mostly use the tavern but if I stay in town I go in the lord Clifton constitution hill way great beer great food and a fiver in a taxi to vp
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Pete3206 on October 27, 2017, 09:37:07 PM
The Calthorpe arms which is a 10-15min walk from villa park is undergoing a major refurbishment/extention. They looking to compete with the Grove in Handsworth Wood and soho taven Hockley, with the curries and mixed grills. Looking at it could be next April till it opens. I went there towards the end of last season and they had a few villa flags and posted up. Could be a good shout after the refurbishment.

10 minutes walk to Calthorpe Arms? Are you an Olympic speed walker?
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: dave.woodhall on October 27, 2017, 09:45:53 PM
Is this the Barn working mens social club you're talking about, situated beside the canal on Brookvale Road?  Has that gone? How long ago did that happen and, have they relocated elsewhere?  I never heard about it if so.
no mate it's now called the marigold, well preserved and looks  Good. They offer parking facilities on match day for 5.00 but won't offer a bar and they easily could.

They could, but if they're aiming at the Muslim auidence they won't.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Dharmendra Actor on December 08, 2020, 02:21:00 PM
The Aston social is under refurb,  and will include bed and breakfast accommodation.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: olaftab on December 10, 2020, 02:18:36 PM
Is this the Barn working mens social club you're talking about, situated beside the canal on Brookvale Road?  Has that gone? How long ago did that happen and, have they relocated elsewhere?  I never heard about it if so.
no mate it's now called the marigold, well preserved and looks  Good. They offer parking facilities on match day for 5.00 but won't offer a bar and they easily could.
They could, but if they're aiming at the Muslim auidence they won't.
Since it's conversion it's main income source is weddings and other wedding related events mostly but not entirely aimed at muslim population. So it does not have bar facilities however alcohol is table served  on any specific events where it's required. They were doing very good business with bookings at over 80% all year round but pandemic has had a huge impact on that.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Dharmendra Actor on December 10, 2020, 08:13:46 PM
 The Safe harbour pub  Moore lane has gone to for housing, moor lane is the road opposite to where the Barn social was.

If marigold offers tabled alchol may the could do cold beers to the table for villa fans on match day,  as supporters are using the venue for parking anyway.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: PeterWithe on December 10, 2020, 08:41:05 PM
Also known as the Gravediggers Arms, shame but Im only surprised it didnt go years ago.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: dave shelley on December 10, 2020, 08:51:03 PM
There are a row of cottages that run alongside the 'diggers and I have been lead to believe that my paternal grandfather was born in one of them, possibly the end one furthest away from the pub.  I'm still trying to find out the varacity of this.  Interesting if true.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: zulu_hunter on May 08, 2021, 01:39:28 PM
The Farcroft pub on Rookery road handsworth has been sold and is to be turned in to a mosque. Its believed to have been brought by the Kurdish community.

Another historical boozer gone. This was also a hotel in the early 1900s.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Legion on May 08, 2021, 01:43:42 PM
Hello again.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: dave shelley on May 08, 2021, 02:19:52 PM
William is back, William is back, hello.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Pete3206 on May 08, 2021, 03:23:26 PM
The Safe harbour pub  Moore lane has gone to for housing, moor lane is the road opposite to where the Barn social was.

Safe Harbour aka Diggers is currently being refurbished and is reopening in May/June.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Damo70 on May 08, 2021, 04:32:46 PM
The Farcroft pub on Rookery road handsworth has been sold and is to be turned in to a mosque. Its believed to have been brought by the Kurdish community.

Another historical boozer gone. This was also a hotel in the early 1900s.


There should be a happy medium to be found. I they want to turn a good old British pub into a mosque let them. So long as they serve alcohol and have a dartboard. Also at least one in five pubs turned into a mosque must keep a bowling green. Then the way I see it everybody is happily catered for.

I should work for the United Nations me, I've got all the answers.  ;)
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: olaftab on May 08, 2021, 04:40:10 PM
Yes Damo70 you are indeed a great Reformer. Your suggestion could do wonders for unity :D
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Drummond on May 08, 2021, 07:28:36 PM
The Farcroft pub on Rookery road handsworth has been sold and is to be turned in to a mosque. Its believed to have been brought by the Kurdish community.

Another historical boozer gone. This was also a hotel in the early 1900s.


There should be a happy medium to be found. I they want to turn a good old British pub into a mosque let them. So long as they serve alcohol and have a dartboard. Also at least one in five pubs turned into a mosque must keep a bowling green. Then the way I see it everybody is happily catered for.

I should work for the United Nations me, I've got all the answers.  ;)

You mean a Tap Room.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Hockley Lion on May 08, 2021, 08:19:27 PM
Old pubs.

https://youtu.be/XIzaX4TS0kk
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: RamboandBruno on May 08, 2021, 08:48:07 PM
I don't understand why Villa don't keep the bars open to sell more food and drink for an hour after the game. Brighton did this last year and it reduced some of the pain of getting the train.

Slightly different as Brighton is quite out of the way. Last time I was at VP i went in to the Aston Social afterwards and it was good fun. Although it really was a stopping off point for the crowds to disperse as every half an hour the DJ would announce that a load of taxis had pulled up.

Not much you can do if the area is changing and there isn't a need for good pubs. Eventually they will all die off until some entrepreneur comes up with an idea. It's all about supply and demand. There wasn't anyone in the Aston Tavern on the Friday night before a game last time I was there. Hard to see why anyone would buy into a pub that only has customers 11am-3pm and then 5pm-8pm every other saturday.
if a traditional community moves out and is  replaced with a non drinking community then pubs will decline. Big chain pub like wether spoons, hungry horse, green king and These curry pubs are our hope of continuing the pub trade. It's was green King who saved the stockland and the hare and hounds on marsh Hill (marsh Hill one lasted 5 years and closed for retirement homes) the curry pub saved  the Ashbury taven on Newton road, calthorpe arms, and soho taven. The ones like the barn and upper grounds have bar facilities but dont serve alcohol, they should as bars are needed around Villa Park, they would also be contributing to match day traditions at the same time make money.

This is a good point. The reality is the area around VP is largely inhabited with a Muslim community. In addition while there is still some industry around there, the days of lots of factories with workers that would keep these pubs ticking over midweek on non match days are largely over and anyway the culture of drinking at lunch breaks is less acceptable now. All a combination of factors for many of these pubs to die off. Pubs/clubs have to offer something for people to want to travel in on non match days. The Barton’s with its lovely traditional renovation and really good food is a great example.
Like clampy I struggle with the ‘match day experience’ phrasing, seems Americanised to me. My match routine has changed as I go with my kids Over recent years, so now instead of a fair few beers up town or by the ground pre and post match, now I either go to my local for a couple of beers and soft drinks for the kids, meet up with some friends and do the short train journey, or I drive and either had a pint at the Sacred Heart or at the ground. Things change and move on and the pleasure I get going with my kids is different to 10 years ago and that was different to when I was a kid. I’ve loved all my different experiences of going down the villa.
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Hockley Lion on May 08, 2021, 09:04:21 PM
Who's running the Aston Social these day's. 25 years or so ago it was Pat and his family who I knew well from their Jewellers Arms days. Is it still in the family?
Title: Re: Aston Hotel
Post by: Pete3206 on May 08, 2021, 10:19:54 PM
Don't know about the owners, but Aston Social has been done out and now called The Aston Inn.

Bad news about The Tap & Spile. Not reopening at all.

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