The Barton's Arms

[Somniloquism]

The Barton's Arms is a beautiful building and I have taken family and friends to eat nd drink there on many occasions  It is a place where I have met some lovely people who post on here and others who don't post any more. The last time I was in was with Risso and his son, and we bumped into, as usual, Frank and Ken, and ColinMac, and TimVilla (NOT VillaTimCoopersInjurySilhillTTOD) opus other various reprobates

If you have never been inside,  I hope it will reopen again for you MUST see it. It is a truly magnificent building.

The plumbing bills after those visits were just too much. (Especially if the Bish visited for the same game.)

[Risso]

My guts were wrecked that day. A few pints of Citra in the Barton's, followed by a massive lunch with wine, and then a curry to soak it all up when we got home. It was like a mooring rope being coiled off an oil tanker in the Suez Canal.

[dave.woodhall]

It's location is the big problem. It's a good pub, but there's nothing else around that would make you want to walk out there to visit. If you're in the city centre, you can go to a lots of places, same if you're in the JQ or Harborne etc. If it was more central it would do brilliantly.

It doesn't help being in Birmingham,  which for all the recent improvements still isn't a real ale and good pubs city.

[Martyn Smith]

It's a hell of a walk from there to VP if you're an overweight 54 year old with edemas...

[pauliewalnuts]

My great gran used to play the piano in the Bartons most weekends for years. She was born and brought up in Park Lane (the original one, not what got built instead when it was demolished). My dad, in his mid 80s now, was telling me of how in the 70s, they randomly went there once with my gt gran and got mortally pissed whilst she played the piano again. I remember my grandad, when i was a kid, every single time you drove past it, he'd point and say what a beautiful pub it was, and how Laurel and Hardy stayed there etc etc.

I am in my mid 50s, have been to god knows how many games relatively close by over the years, have been in its near vicinity even more times, and am aware of the importance of it in the past (in both the city and my own family, all from that area) but am not sure I've even ever been in there.

I think that's an illustration of the problem they have. There's the fact that the old 'constituency' of the surrounding area has changed entirely (as per lots of pubs), but also there is nowhere near enough passing trade or repeat business to make it work these days, despite having huge amounts of cultural resonance.

Add to that the fact that, let's be honest, it is in a rough as nails area, and the basic question of why would anyone go there if not going to a match, and it's a surprise it has lasted this long.

If it were in the city centre, or even the Jewellery Quarter, it would do brilliantly. It's not, though, it's in a terrible location.

[Risso]

It's location is the big problem. It's a good pub, but there's nothing else around that would make you want to walk out there to visit. If you're in the city centre, you can go to a lots of places, same if you're in the JQ or Harborne etc. If it was more central it would do brilliantly.

It doesn't help being in Birmingham,  which for all the recent improvements still isn't a real ale and good pubs city.

The Barton's always seemed to me to be Brum's version of Manchester's Peveril of the Peak (which I'm sure you've been in). The big difference being that the PotP is 5 minutes walk from two major train stations, and close to other similar establishments like the Briton's Protection.

[dave.woodhall]

It's location is the big problem. It's a good pub, but there's nothing else around that would make you want to walk out there to visit. If you're in the city centre, you can go to a lots of places, same if you're in the JQ or Harborne etc. If it was more central it would do brilliantly.

It doesn't help being in Birmingham,  which for all the recent improvements still isn't a real ale and good pubs city.

The Barton's always seemed to me to be Brum's version of Manchester's Peveril of the Peak (which I'm sure you've been in). The big difference being that the PotP is 5 minutes walk from two major train stations, and close to other similar establishments like the Briton's Protection.

Same as the Philharmonic in Liverpool and the Cafe Royal in Edinburgh. Both are great pubs but they're both walkable from the centre and have other places around them. The Barton's is miles from anywhere else and you'd never go there for a night of drinking.

[amfy]

wetherspoons has also killed a lot of independents off

I was on a total boycott of Weatherspoons for a while but it is more of a mixed bag than people give it credit for. Apparently, one off real ale pubs and bars don’t generate enough orders to keep independent brewers in business, but Weatherspoons do! Which in turn helps the one off establishments!

They’ve also saved a lot of interesting old buildings from demolition by turning them into pubs, but sadly, this one that’s already a pub probably isn’t in a good spot for them.

Still hate Tim Weatherspoon though - vile man!

[VillaTim]

It's location is the big problem. It's a good pub, but there's nothing else around that would make you want to walk out there to visit. If you're in the city centre, you can go to a lots of places, same if you're in the JQ or Harborne etc. If it was more central it would do brilliantly.

It doesn't help being in Birmingham,  which for all the recent improvements still isn't a real ale and good pubs city.

The Barton's always seemed to me to be Brum's version of Manchester's Peveril of the Peak (which I'm sure you've been in). The big difference being that the PotP is 5 minutes walk from two major train stations, and close to other similar establishments like the Briton's Protection.

great pub this, the Las O'Gowrie is another good one up there

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I was born just up the road from there nearly 70 years ago....my Mom and Dad went there regularly and I bought them a very nice print of it many years ago, now in my possession. It was a special place for them and I took them there a few times in later years but the area had changed so much they felt very little connection.
Only been in there once on a match day (it was great) as the people I go/went with were not prepared/able to do the walk to the ground.
In recent years have been a few times for the beer and the Thai food on a Friday night (with a couple of Nose mates who loved it)...always been very good.
As a few have said, it's in a bloody awkward location...no "locals" business, too far from city centre/JQ, lots of competition.
Such a shame.
 

[PeterWithe]

wetherspoons has also killed a lot of independents off

I was on a total boycott of Weatherspoons for a while but it is more of a mixed bag than people give it credit for. Apparently, one off real ale pubs and bars don’t generate enough orders to keep independent brewers in business, but Weatherspoons do! Which in turn helps the one off establishments!

They’ve also saved a lot of interesting old buildings from demolition by turning them into pubs, but sadly, this one that’s already a pub probably isn’t in a good spot for them.

Still hate Tim Weatherspoon though - vile man!

Sir Tim, if you don't mind

My CAMRA branch noted his knighthood with a withering editorial, whilst giving due praise for what they've done.

[VillaTim]

love them or hate them Wetherspoons have found a brilliant business model that England cannot get enough of

[PeterWithe]

love them or hate them Wetherspoons have found a brilliant business model that England cannot get enough of

Britain likes cheap anything. Then moans about the quality and that the better things have gone.

[Luffbralion]

I was so disappointed and saddened to hear the news of an immediate closure for the Bartons yesterday. Like many on here, I'd been there prior to the Newcastle game and it had its usual vibrant pre match atmosphere. I read that it got voted in the Guardian as one of the best 50 pubs in the UK. Quite right too...great beer, brilliant decor, excellent thai food and affable clientele. I've had some great conversations with complete strangers and love the fact that (with the obvious exception of our dear neighbours from Small Heath and Smethwick) home and way fans mingle amicably.
The Bartons has been a part of my matchday experience for almost twenty years. I make it an integral part of a visit to Villa Park for friends and family who make the occasional visit to VP and they invariably love it. (As do friends who visited for Bruce Springsteen and the Commonwealth games).
I'm going to feel lost without a pint of citra or two before the game. I'm clutching at a straw...because of its heritage maybe somebody or some body can save it. Utv.

[dave.woodhall]

love them or hate them Wetherspoons have found a brilliant business model that England cannot get enough of

Britain likes cheap anything. Then moans about the quality and that the better things have gone.

"There is hardly anything in the world that cannot be made a little worse and sold a little cheaper, and those who consider price alone are that man's lawful prey."