Forum Topic

New bar for northfields avenue.

A micro brewery (bar) is in the planning stages at 106 northfields avenue,previously the owl and pussy cat book shop.Well its something different for the area.

Harry Jay ● 3823d63 Comments

This sounds interesting!

Jim McCauley ● 3823d

Excellent news. A craft brewery in Northfields, we will be the new destination for hipsters soon.

Paul Martin ● 3821d

Yep, East London is so over, all the cool kids will be going to Northfields Avenue now!

Jim McCauley ● 3821d

Hold on - is this for real or a wind up?Perhaps the brewery will be called Foolers :)

Paul Martin ● 3821d

The application for an alcohol licence is on link below..http://maps.ealing.gov.uk/webreports/m3pp/licence_consultation_lookup.aspCheers !.

Harry Jay ● 3821d

The consultation closed on the 12/4/16, any news on whether it got the license?

Paul Martin ● 3808d

The plan is for a micropub.  Essentially a small, community-focussed pub selling mainly real ale, in our case brewed on the premises.  Not really a "craft beer" hipster joint.There will be no TV, amplified music or fruit machines.  The focus is on a quality product, where conversation is the entertainment.

Mark Yarnell ● 3807d

Other than a couple of security-related questions (CCTV, provision for smokers) there were no representations lodged.

Mark Yarnell ● 3807d

Not a wind-up!The brewery will be tiny (200 litre capacity - that's all that fits in the back room).

Mark Yarnell ● 3807d

This sounds brilliant and just what the area needs. I  hope it sees the light of day.

Jim McCauley ● 3807d

Hi MarkGlad you are not going down the hipster craft beer route – I am not a fan of over-priced pale imitations of real beer. A couple of questions:1.    When do you plan to open?2.    Got a name yet?3.    Are your prices going to be lower than the Fullers oligopoly in the area?Wishing you well with your new venture, this is just the sort of thing the Avenue needs.

Paul Martin ● 3807d

1. We (that's me and my business partner, Paul) plan to open as soon as possible.  Hopefully July-ish. There's a bit of work that needs doing and we have to wait for our brewery to be fabricated.  We're using a Swindon-based firm who make excellent vessels.2. I quite like the legacy of the previous owners: The Owl and the Pussycat, as it already has the rhythm of a pub name.  Depends whether we'd be allowed or not.3. I was in The Plough on Wednesday.  They charge £4 for a pint of Pride.  Whilst we don't plan to compete on price, we should be a bit cheaper than that.Thanks for your good wishes.  I live in Hanwell and we considered all places within a 5 mile radius - Northfield Avenue has the right "feel" about it for what we want to do - especially with the cheesemonger next door, I think we'll complement each other well.

Mark Yarnell ● 3807d

Wish you the best of luck - will defo give it a bash when you open.On the Plough and prices. I think the Plough and the Ealing Park Tavern are the two best boozers in the area but both seem to think they can nudge towards City £5 a pint price point. I just dont get it. Surely if you have someone in the boozer paying £3.50 for 4 pints it's better than someone just popping in for one or two? Cost basis difference is ZERO!! People bring crowds which bring people which brings trade and margin no?Anyway good luck --- if it's a craft micro brewery I'd best start growing my meejah beard and get a Hoxton top knot

Colin Goodman ● 3807d

I think it could really work,  there's a real appetite for good food and drink on the avenue. Don't dismiss the craft beers though, cheddar stocks weird beard, Beaverton etc and they sell by the bucket load.

Jim McCauley ● 3807d

Great, can't wait to try the first brew. Also I love the name - its respectful of the place and legacy.Just a thought - if you have beer ready by July you might want to showcase it at the Ealing Beer Fest (6-9 July 2016). The cheeseman always has a stall and can tell you about if you are in contact with him.http://ealingbeerfestival.org.uk/index.htmlI think the West Mddx CAMRA organise it and decide on the beers - they always try to promote local micros such Weird Beard. Contact the following:http://westmiddx-camra.org.uk/contacts/

Paul Martin ● 3806d

I'm very pleased to see that a new bar will be opening but am rather bemused by the planning notice attached to the lamppost outside which refers to a change of use to 'offices'...?

Tony Colliver ● 3798d

The planning permission notice for "offices" is for 104. We are still awaiting to hear from the planning department about our change of use at 106!  Fingers crossed!

Paul Nock ● 3798d

Please support this venture by posting a supporting comment at:https://pam.ealing.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=O3DBBTJMGEN00

Jim McCauley ● 3792d

Support lodged.Proper professional plans I see!!! Thought you trendy Hoxton types could at least use Google Sketch Up!!Good luck with this, really hope it's a go-er

Colin Goodman ● 3792d

Comments of support lodged and looking forward to hear a positive outcome for the micropub. Hopefully others will send their support as pubs always get objections.

Paul Martin ● 3791d

We now have a website that will hopefully give some sort of an idea about what we are up to...http://markopaulo.co.uk

Mark Yarnell ● 3790d

Also love the basic plans....SHOP crossed out, and PUB written in ;-))I think you might have the same problem as The Italian Job in Chiswick....you're going to need a bigger place!Access to the Garden would/will be helpful?Good luck.

Nick Jenkins ● 3790d

Just had a nosey at your website - whets the appetite.My gut feel is your place will be somewhat no frills. I'm quite partial to highly polished gaffs and leather sofa's BUT, I do love a good old urban gaff. Visiting the Ruin Pub's in Budapest a good 18 months ago made me think "why cant we have gaffs like this in London?"Very best of luck with the COU Application -- one things for sure, you'll have a fair bit of interest once up and running.Good luck

Colin Goodman ● 3790d

Yes, definitely no frills to begin with - we need to keep costs down.I subscribe to the micropub idea of keeping things simple.  We are about beer and conversation first and foremost - the comfy settees might have to wait...

Mark Yarnell ● 3790d

Yep, not a lot of changes to the building needed at this stage.Needing a bigger place is a nice problem to have though and we will certainly look into using the garden area in future.  We didn't include it in our original application because we didn't want to upset neighbours.  We'll see how the noise goes.

Mark Yarnell ● 3790d

Are beards and sandals obligatory?Sounds gross and for over 50's.I am over 50 but won't be visiting as my train-spotting skills are not my strong point.

Simon Wycombe ● 3781d

Any update on this?

Colin Goodman ● 3776d

Standard Consultation Expiry Date Tue 24 May 2016 https://pam.ealing.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=dates&keyVal=O3DBBTJMGEN00

Paul Martin ● 3776d

Good luck for this next week

Colin Goodman ● 3771d

Any news on whether this has got the go-ahead yet? I could murder a pint

Jim McCauley ● 3766d

Hope you open soon,getting thirsty.

Harry Jay ● 3764d

Any news?My beard is coming on, Hoxton top knot not quite there yet though, I'll be passable!Hope all on track

Colin Goodman ● 3758d

Hope the beer will not be at Hoxton prices.

Harry Jay ● 3758d

Drove past this earlier and we got to talking in the car -- any news?

Colin Goodman ● 3742d

Our "Decision Deadline" is today (20th June) so hope to hear any minute!Ealing Planning website is down though, so don't hold your breath.  As soon as I hear I will report back.

Mark Yarnell ● 3741d

We are now "Granted with conditions" (conditions not stated) on the Ealing website.https://pam.ealing.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=O3DBBTJMGEN00

Mark Yarnell ● 3741d

Hopefully one of the conditions will be free beer for life for anyone living within 1 mile radius.  Cheers!

Philip Coe ● 3741d

Good news Id imagine conditions will be capacity, hours of trading, certain Building Control stuff etcCongratulations and good luck

Colin Goodman ● 3741d

Congratulations Mark and Paul. I notice from your twitter that the conditions are "Closing on 10 weekdays and 10.30 Fri/Sat so as not to upset residential neighbours".So any idea on when you might be open for business? I see the to let sign is still up on the window of the OaP.

Paul Martin ● 3740d

Yes congratulations, can't wait to try the beers!

Jim McCauley ● 3740d

Thanks to everyone who supported our application.  According to the Officer's Report there were 362 local people who wrote in support of our proposal and this was clearly important in the final decision.We are about to give our solicitors a prod to try to get the lease finalised as soon as possible.  Never having done this sort of thing before, I don't know how long it takes but the sooner, the better.  I will keep regular updates on Twitter, which is visible on our website http://markopaulo.co.ukOnce again, thanks to everyone and hope to serve you soon.

Mark Yarnell ● 3740d

If you're never done a lease before with a new business , its always worth trying to get a few break clauses inserted (ie every 3/4 years)...just in case!We also managed to get a small rent free period at the start...just to help get going ;-)Good luck!

Nick Jenkins ● 3740d

Any update on this?

Colin Goodman ● 3722d

I noticed the 'to let' on the agents board on the front window, so that is not a good sign.

Paul Martin ● 3722d

Anything?

Colin Goodman ● 3718d

They've ordered their boiler:http://markopaulo.co.uk/https://www.facebook.com/OaPmicropub/Probably best to go to either of their websites for updated news or follow them on twitter if you have it.

Lee Page ● 3717d

Things work much more slowly in the Legal World than we anticipated.  I will put all updates on our website (also on the Facebook and Twitter).In short, we really want to be opened by 25th August.

Mark Yarnell ● 3717d

Hi Mark - I assume the 25th is unlikely? Any update on opening date?

Paul Martin ● 3682d

Given up making predictions... some time in September probably...

Mark Yarnell ● 3678d

Pity you wont be open for my LBExit party,wishing your business all the best,cheers.

Harry Jay ● 3668d

I see early September update being "coming soon".Not seen any activity on the drive past last few weeks though.Wondering if it's happening?(Just done the SurveyMonkey thing which is an encouraging sign)

Colin Goodman ● 3649d

I see its all systems go for the OaP - congratulations on sorting out the lease. Looking forward to tasting some local ales soon. Any predictions for the opening date?

Paul Martin ● 3617d

Good news indeed, I hope it opens this side of Christmas!

Jim McCauley ● 3614d

Thanks for being patient. We are now in the premises (finally) and working like crazy to get things ready. Obviously our beer is the most important thing and that will take time to get ready. We are hoping for a late November opening. The place may not be gorgeous but the beer will be!

Paul Nock ● 3612d

I see the grand opening is imminent:https://twitter.com/OaP_micropub?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwLooking forward to my first pint of Ealing IPA.

Paul Martin ● 3579d

Exciting times, can't wait to try it as it will become my local!

Jim McCauley ● 3579d

Confirmed now as Friday opening. Best of luck chaps.https://twitter.com/OaP_micropub?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Paul Martin ● 3579d

I'm not twittered up but love my real ale and micro breweries..whereabouts on Northfield Ave is this please?

Keith Iddon ● 3579d

106 northfields avenue - next to the cheddar deli.

Paul Martin ● 3579d

Thank you Paul.I might just be on an E2 this weekend.

Keith Iddon ● 3579d

Had a few pints in here at the weekend and it was great, a really good atmosphere and some interesting beers.

Jim McCauley ● 3574d

I have to agree with Jim - both beer and atmosphere are very good. I really liked their Janet Street Porter and am looking forward to trying some of the other brews soon. It is still a work in progress so I suspect it will go from strength to strength.

Paul Martin ● 3574d

Great this is up and running now, it's a shame there's no children allowed as we would have popped in a few times during the afternoon.

Jim McCauley ● 3562d