Greyhound to be run by owners of East Dulwich Tavern, etc.

[Voyageur]

Having a rival gastro bar to the Dolphin would be great news! Lets hope the staff at this new bar at the Greyhound site are properly trained and actually enjoy their jobs in the hospitality industry and working with people (which is more than I can say for the Dolphin staff - totally dire customer service, treating customers with contempt (well that's been my experience and the experience of many other Sydenham folk). But staying positive, am looking forward to this new development.

I can only base my views of the Dolphin on one visit, but I am not inclined to go back there based on the surly service and very mediocre meal we had there. Maybe the Dolphin will up their game (they would have to to tempt me back there!).

[poppy]

I think you are being a bit harsh about the Dolphin!

We have been so lucky to have it here for the past four or so years.

The alternative for us was Forest Hill or East Dulwich to go for a 'local' drink. It's not perfect and their food is hit and miss but I found the service pretty good generally. They are just a bit slow at the bar. But yes, if the competition makes them become more consistent that would be good. They have been really good about supporting the Sydenham Arts Festival and other arts/music events too...as far as I can tell.

Now we need something in the middle of the high street. A nice bar instead of the Two Halves (sorry is it Halfs) perhaps?

P

[Syd_Stone]

I think you'll find it's "The Two Half's". Tch, honestly. Get it right.

(I prefer to think it was named after a Mr. Two Half, but even that's stretching it.)

[BruceHarrison]

In case anyone has seen the South London Press article today "the Greyhound to be renamed The Ravensbourne Arms" it seems this is totally wrong. I spoke to Antic pub owner today and he confirmed that they have no plans to change the name of the Greyhound and that the Ravensbourne Arms is the name of a Lewisham pub they have taken over - due to open this summer.

[Tim Lund]

Who was the reporter who came up with that idea?

[simon]

It was Mr Hugill and the quote from Antic's Max Alderman was; "We will rename this one the Ravensbourne Arms, with it being so close to the river of that name." Note to Mr Hugill; The Ravensbourne is about three miles from the Greyhound.

[Hill Dweller]

I think you'll find it's "The Two Half's".)

Given its closeness to 'Naborhood Centre' I daresay they think signage is a free for all, In which case why not 'Senter'.

I read here a while ago that the use of 'nabor' instead of 'neighbour' was something to do with pandering to (a.k.a. talking down to) people that might not have known all the nuances of written English.
In which case how would 'they' have known not to say 'nabbor'.
If that's the real reason for the spelling I reckon it's time to change but if there was some other reason ...... like the signwriter having autonomy !!

[biscuitman1978]

Local historian Steve Grindlay provided some information on the spelling of 'naborhood' a while ago.

At the risk of repetition, in 1910 an Edwardian cinema, The Queens Hall, was built on the site. In 1939 the cinema was renamed "The Naborhood Cinema". It was demolished in 1953 and a new building, "The Naborhood Centre", was built.

"Naborhood Cinema" was a generic name given by a small company (Monk's Circuit Cinemas) to a group of south London cinemas they acquired in the late 1930s. The Naborhood Cinema, Queens Road, Peckham (demolished 1941) was part of this group. The choice of spelling was probably (and I've discussed this with several knowledgeable people) because the parent company felt that, given the overwhelming American influence on film at the time, it sounded more 'modern'.

Hope that helps.

[simon]

I read here a while ago that the use of 'nabor' instead of 'neighbour' was something to do with pandering to (a.k.a. talking down to) people that might not have known all the nuances of written English.
In which case how would 'they' have known not to say 'nabbor'.
If that's the real reason for the spelling I reckon it's time to change but if there was some other reason ...... like the signwriter having autonomy !!

HD; You're way off the mark here. Steve Gridnlay is right about why the place is so named. I think you are being confused by comment made on a thread about the decision to change the name made at a Sydenham Assembly. Someone involved in the centre, which caters for adults with learning difficulties, spoke about how the users had been taught to spell the place as it was so named and asked that people vote against the name change. Unfortunatley, because the meeting was poorly run, she only got to speak after most of the votes were cast. I'm sure that many would have voted otherwise had been they been able to hear her passionate plea before the voting.

[Tim Lund]

It was Mr Hugill and the quote from Antic's Max Alderman was; "We will rename this one the Ravensbourne Arms, with it being so close to the river of that name." Note to Mr Hugill; The Ravensbourne is about three miles from the Greyhound.

I thought it might be. How embarrassing!

[simon]

Story pulled off the SLP site, to save blushes
If I was John, I would blame the subs. They're the ones with all the local knowledge, supposedly.

[John_Hugill]

Hi folks,

Can I have a right of reply?

I got the story completely right, but production rejigged the story and got the wrong end of the stick, unfortunately. That quote about Ravensbourne was originally attributed to a paragraph before describing how Antic were taking over the Coach and Horses too.

[Hill Dweller]

simon » 13 Feb 2011 21:49
Whether I got the back story wrong or right do I take it we agree that the spelling is stupid ?


Reader or non-reader, I'm sure that word-shape doesn't need such silly enjinearing.

[Tim Lund]

Hi folks,

Can I have a right of reply?

I got the story completely right, but production rejigged the story and got the wrong end of the stick, unfortunately. That quote about Ravensbourne was originally attributed to a paragraph before describing how Antic were taking over the Coach and Horses too.

Pleased to hear this John - I was feeling acutely embarrassed for you!

[Andwar]

Over a year ago I spoke to Wetherspoons about taking on The Greyhound but obviously the EDT lot got in first. My main concern is what sort of customer they are looking for, if it is anything like the fizzy pop brigade with a bouncer on the door after 7pm then I certainly will not be going in there. I went into their pub in CP once and walked straight out, the choice of beer was ***t and the music was too loud so I couldn't talk to my friends without having to go outside.

If any of you went up to the mini-beer festival at The Grape and Grain in CP last week then we all know the type of customer that real ale draws in. All I ask is that they put on a decent range of real ale along with the fizzy pop.

What let's the Dolphin down is that their real ale is crap to be honest, it is not kept that well and keg beer is easier for the staff to maintain. Just pop the clamp on the keg and away you go. Real beer takes a bit of time with 24 hours racking and some physical work using the hand pump to draw up the beer.

So come on Antic, get in a good selection of real ale and if you need some advice of what beers then I will only be too pleased to help.

[Eagle]

Well said good real ales.
Also no music or very quiet music.
Surely conversation is the main point of a Pub.

[Whiftoff]

Really glad the Greyhound isn't going to be a Weatherspoons. Also don't think there's anything wrong with music, as long as you can still have a conversation. Its annoying in the Dolphin when the muisc is so low you can't even hear it. Either have it at a level where you can make out whats playing or turn it off. Saying that last time I was in there you could actually hear it.

[G-Man]

I like some tunes in a pub myself, I also think things can even be done with DJs playing, the music can still be audible but not to loud, say some nice chilled beats on a Sunday afternoon or a folk or jazz band, it all works if done properly. I know some local people that would be more than willing to play. They also need to differentiate themselves from the Dolphin.

I don't think the market in Sydenham is crying out for a loud pub, we'll see what they do anyway.

Also, I've always found the Timothy Taylor's Landlord more than satifying at the Dolphin.

G-Man

[Andwar]

I emailed Antic Limited a couple of days ago about theirs ideas for The Greyhound and my concerns, here is their reply:

Hi Andrew, Thankyou for your mail.
Anthony has asked me to reply to you regarding your questions.

Firstly let me re assure you that we do not only cater for the 'Fizzy Pop'
drinkers (that'll be me), but also and of course, the Real Ale drinkers. We currently hold 9 Cask Marques and hope to have that up to at least 20 by the end of the year, but as you know, they aren't the easiest things to get hold of so it will take a little time. We will also start brewing our own Ale as of this Summer, hoping to provide not only that but also a good quality Larger and eventually a Cider.

The Clientele tend to dictate what we stock in that if it turns out to be an Ale drinking crowd we will make sure we have a good selection (ala Antelope in Tooting)but as a rule of thumb we have a minimum of three good quality brands on at any one time, with more in the pubs that have the cellar capacity, bar space and need.

As for the music policy, we tend not to stick to one style as it alienates the rest of the clientele, we therefore do our best to bring a good cross section of entertainment from poetry readings and quiz nights to odd live band or DJ. We wont be putting any House or Electro DJ's on as we do at Westow (they appeal to the crowd we have on a Friday or Saturday evening and as I'm sure you have seen it is very full in there on those nights so we are happy to have them!) but instead bring in the odd, good, all round DJ's who play a crowd pleasing mix. I even have access to a DJ who spins classical and a couple of good 1940's specialists, real across the board stuff!

But when it comes down to it, we are a Pub, so our first priority is to ensure we bring a great offering to our customers in both food and drink.
Everything else becomes secondary to that. I am sure you can guess we are a little way off even opening at the Greyhound yet, but we will get there as quickly as we can!

Rest assured, we have had plenty of feed back on the pub already and will be doing our best to come up with a good middle ground that everyone should be happy with.

Please let me know if you have any more questions.
Cheers
Fi

It all sounds rather positive, doesn't it.

[MartinH]

But why DJ,s? I am sorry but I can see history repeating itself.