Aston Tavern

[silhillvilla]

The Holte Pub only opens on a matchday during the day now I think, real shame as it's a lovely old pub / building.

[Ron Manager]

There isn't a market. The local populace is mainly Muslim who cannot drink alcohol. Financially it doesnt make any sense at all. Doug wanted to knock the Holte down when it was derelict but couldnt get permission. As silhill says, its only open on matchdays and is costing the club money that could be utilised elsewhere.

Is the Barton Arms profitable? I certainly hope it is, for it would be a disaster to lose that magnificent building.

[Holte L2]

Exactly - a number of the pubs we go into at away games have security and don't charge, possibly because they're making a bomb overcharging us for crap (occasionally reasonable) beer. Charging to get in for that is taking the piss.

Away games is another ranty obsession with me. Pubs close to the ground are invariably full and if they were any good the home fans would use them. I've never known a ground that wasn't more than couple of quid each in a cab away from somewhere much better. 

Isn't that all about what people want, though?

When I go to away games and fancy a few pints beforehand, I'll never even consider going to the usual away pub prior to the game, I'll always opt for somewhere relatively local which is a nice boozer (same as yourself).

I would never, for example, go to the Eight Bells near Craven Cottage (think that's the one, the away pub) when there are so many other decent pubs in easy reach, and which aren't full of other fans.

However, at the same time, on the way to that ground, I've walked past the Eight Bells and it has been rammed, full of Villa fans, who clearly are having a great time and enjoying themselves.

It's what they want, I guess.

At Fulham we always go to The Crab Tree, which Is right on the bank of the Thames. Past the away end, keep walking for about 15 minutes. Glorious pub. Great ales too.

[silhillvilla]

The Holte Pub used to have a boxing club up on the first floor, maybe they should get back to that and then live bands in the pub say on a couple of nights midweek . I'm sure with some imagination they could make it viable. I think I'd cry if that building ever got bulldozed.

[Percy McCarthy]

There isn't a market. The local populace is mainly Muslim who cannot drink alcohol. Financially it doesnt make any sense at all. Doug wanted to knock the Holte down when it was derelict but couldnt get permission. As silhill says, its only open on matchdays and is costing the club money that could be utilised elsewhere.

Is the Barton Arms profitable? I certainly hope it is, for it would be a disaster to lose that magnificent building.

The review I posted of the Bartons says it was packed on a Tuesday, so they are doing something right. Visionary and imaginitive management is the key, and The Bartons is one of a number of Birmingham pubs doing well in unlikely settings. I'd guess that the surviving pubs round Villa Park make just about enough on matchdays to keep going the rest of the year. Anyway, demographics can change over time - Aston might become home to a lot of eastern Europeans who like a drink, or even become gentrified.

#evertheoptimist#

[dave.woodhall]

If the Bartons was packed it was a very rare Tuesday indeed. Most of the time the restaurant does okay and the bar is deserted.

[Fin Feds Dad]

Just read the Aston Tavern will be charging £3 entry on match days.

[dave.woodhall]

Just read the Aston Tavern will be charging £3 entry on match days.

I've just read that, and that the Aston Hotel has now closed.

[Percy McCarthy]

Just read the Aston Tavern will be charging £3 entry on match days.

I've just read that, and that the Aston Hotel has now closed.
[/quote

Any more info Dave? Somebody only just bought it for £475k.

Ignore yhe quite fail, been a long day.

[dave.woodhall]

Just read the Aston Tavern will be charging £3 entry on match days.

I've just read that, and that the Aston Hotel has now closed.
[/quote

Any more info Dave? Somebody only just bought it for £475k.

According to the Asto Tavern Twitter feed it's being turned into a womens hostel. I know it was sold a few weeks ago at the auction when the Garrison failed to find a buyer.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

£3!
Is the beer free once you're in?

[dave.woodhall]

£3!
Is the beer free once you're in?

Carling £3.65.

[The Left Side]

£3!
Is the beer free once you're in?

Carling £3.65.

Blimey, that is a bit steep!

[pauliewalnuts]

I can see it from both sides.

There clearly, without Villa games, wouldn't be enough money in it to refurbish a pub like that and keep it open, given that the local population mostly does not drink for religious reasons, so they need to pull in as much as they can on the 19 or so days a year that Villa play at home. I get that, I'd probably do the same if i was them.

On the other hand, £3.65 for a pint of Carling? Paying to get in? I can see why people wouldn't fancy that, either.

[silhillvilla]

Wasn't the refurb money by way of a Grant from the council and part of the CPO deal for the King Ed's ?
£3 entry and £3.65 for a pint of Carling is very steep indeed.