Forum Topic

The Haven Pub

Walked past the Haven pub during the day on Saturday and this evening and both times looked very closed.  Does anyone know if it has closed down or just closed for a refurbishment?

Helen Smith ● 6076d18 Comments

There was an article about a week or so ago about Chandlers - the pub just across the road from Ealing Broadway Station - this had closed down and it was owned by the same people who own The Haven - perhaps they both have had to close.

J Smith ● 6075d

Of course the smoking ban and the closure of so many pubs in all areas is quite unconnected. 

Bernie Paul ● 6075d

Seems like ealing is turning into a ghost town!

Emma Daniels ● 6074d

Less disposable income allied to fear of losing jobs plus the crunch affects all our going out plans. The Pubs through the greed of the big firms keep the prices as high as possible and the margins for the landlords small making going into the pub trade not a good proposition. I know people who have worked hard and found that the numbers provided by the pubco's do not add up. there is also more competition from restaurants and cafes. so the world is changing. It is sad to lose the Haven but the Wheatsheaf was always (for 25 years or so) in my view a better pub. When you look at places like pizza on the green and others a pub may be less attractive. If many people out there are struggling on pay cuts or job losses then the pub numbers will reflect the overall economy.

Peter Chadburn ● 6074d

I think it is a great pity that old purpose-built pubs close. Places like Chandler's which were converted shops I think are far less important, almost to the point of insignificance.Wasn't Chandler's the site of ABC baker's?

Alan Brainsby ● 6074d

I agree the Wheatsheaf is a better pub, the Haven was in need of freshening up but was good for a quick drink outside in the summer.  Shame if another Ealing pub has closed.I had seen the article about Chandlers pub and hoped that closing one of the 2 pubs would mean a bit of investment into the Haven - wishful thinking!Noticed today that there is a notice on the door entrance to the Haven today but can not read it due to the locked gates!

Helen Smith ● 6074d

Just seen this article - so definitely closed.http://www.ealingtoday.co.uk/default.asp?section=info&page=eapubclosures1003.htm

Helen Smith ● 6074d

Forgot to mention that "The Haven" was a Volvo garage 30 odd years ago.

Alan Brainsby ● 6074d

There was a notice on the door on Saturday saying it had temporarily closed due to a gas leak.  Gutted if it's conspired into more than that.

Robert Moores ● 6073d

The Haven Arms next to the Wheatsheaf in Haven Lane is still open - not to be confused with the Haven opposite Haven Green

Simon Swinn ● 6073d

You're right, it is. Hasn't harmed Scotland.

Gillian Kirby ● 6073d

It was also coincidental in Ireland where the industry has been nigh on decimated.

Bernie Paul ● 6073d

I no longer live in Ealing but now in South Oxfordshire. However we have these 'pub closure' problems here too. I write here though for two reasons a) I feel the closures are largely recession-connected. We are in Feb 2010 and still in the eye of a recession that could even be a 'double-dip' one. This is affecting peoples spending - I know a lot of people on a pay freeze. b) What is really important is that pubs like the Haven (as opposed to the other one recently closed which was a shop) do not get developers applying for 'change of use', which basically means conversion to housing. This is what we are fighting - with varied success - in South Oxfordshire. We feel that pubs will re-open some day in the future and that the good premises should remain pubs.

Derek Graham ● 6073d

The Haven did not help itself though. Last summer they got a new manager - I had arranged to hold my 40th in their function room upstairs - all the arrangements had been made and confirmed with the leaving manager. The new manager would not then honour those arrangements - he was also rude, unhelpful and obstinate. I naturally took my business elsewhere - even though it cost me a large amount of money (try finding a venue to hold a party in the height of wedding season at very short notice). It need not be said that I never went there again and told my tale of woe to alot of people - who then told people etc. Pubs/bars rely on a loyal clientel - as soon as you start alienating them you are on a slippery slope.

Trizia Fiorellino ● 6072d

The Haven Arms in Haven Green is a fantastic pub and just shows that, even in this economic climate with a no smoking ban pubs can still flourish.  Good management makes the difference me thinks.

Mandy Reen ● 6070d

The Haven in Spring Bridge road was indeed a Volvo Garage and was converted into a cocktail bar/ nightclub. It was never really a proper pub and has been a rather souless psuedo theme pub rather like what is found in America and now appears in high streets here. Makeovers can';t make up for poor management, indifferent quality and overpricing.  Not to be confused with the Haven Arms in and the Wheatsheaf which are close to each other and yet are both proper pubs.AlthoughH the Haven Arms is the prettier venue, the Wheatsheaf has been a great pub for decades. Who remembers the old landlord with his carpet slippers?

Michael Brandt ● 6068d

Today the Haven looked open again - lights on, doors open yet still not many customers inside!  Maybe it was just a gas leak afterall...

Helen Smith ● 6068d

That cocktail bar/ nightclub was called 'The Haven Stables' (which at least reduced confusion with the Haven Arms).  One of its claims to fame was that Oliver Skeete (the rastafarian showjumper) used to be a doorman there.

David Whitelam ● 6068d