Spotted Dog - being refurbished
It has been reported on here by ~AP~ that the Spotted Dog public house is being refurbished.
I used to be a regular here but haven't been there for years. Over the years it has had many transformations as far as its clientele goes but the interior of the pub has remained largely the same. Way back a guy called Rob had it and it was very popular, that was until he started having discos regularly then the pub started to go downhill. He once even had strippers up there on a Friday lunchtime, once a fortnight - imagine that happening today!
Since those heady days... It has changed hands a few times with little success. The last landlords, Roy and Nell made the best job and it became a good pub to have a quiet drink. Since then it has more or less fallen off the map.
I am interested to see how far they go with this refurbishment. They will have to pull out the stops to make a real difference to trade. The Spotted has loads of potential as it is and has a massive garden.
I agree with ~AP~ though, the gents toilet is freezing in winter!
posted by The Cockerel @ 10:59 PM
3 Comments:
Like the Cockerel, I agree that the Spotted Dog has indeed fallen off the map. Whilst, other pubs in Dorking have been refurbished, undergone new management and offered quiz nights, karoake and live bands, the Spotted Dog has offered very little recently for the punters to get excited about. The Spotted Dog has also lost quite a bit of trade from the neighbouring pubs since the smoking ban. Other pubs have built heated smoking shelters and offered good deals on pub food. Hopefully, the new landlords once it re-opens can start attracting back some of the clientele it has lost in the year or so.
Also noticed that the Bulls Head pub was mentioned in the Dorking Town Centre Forum on the 28th January 2008. The Forum discussed reports of anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of the Bulls Head Public House and noted that the situation was being monitored.
Also the future of the Town Centre Forum was discussed. From the 1st March 2008, 4 Area Forums would be established, offering total coverage of the District and based geographically on Ashtead/Leatherhead; Bookham/Fetcham; Dorking Urban; and the Rural Areas. These would replace the Dorking and Leatherhead Town Centre Forums, and the Dorking and Leatherhead Co-ordination Groups.
Anyway, here is the latest installment of the Dorking Town Management Report 21/01/08
Vacant / On the market: 20 premises
Still no movement on the vast majority of the shop premises in Dorking. Though they are various parties interested in the Surrey Gourmet (High St.), Refectory Antiques (West St.) and F W Mays down in South Street.
Vacant but under offer of LET: 8 premises
-BP Office, Reigate Road - refurbishing 'Scoop' ice cream parlour & cafe, opening March
-Gallery 238, 238 High Street - LET
-Jane Elliott, 246 High Street
-Age of Elegance, 155-157 High Street
-Woolwich, 108 High Street
-Halfords, 101-103 High Street - LET to FatFace, opening in June
-West Cornwall Pasty Co, 54-56 High Street - LET
-Swale Insurance, 43 High Street - Wine bar opening - LET currently being refurbished
Trading but on the market: 3 premises
-Robert Barclays, 86 High Street
-Origin, 13 High Street (has since vacated premises!)
-Hampshires of Dorking, 51-52 West Street
Recently opened: 9 premises
-Chifan, 8-10 Reigate Road (formery High Island)
-Cobham Lock & Safe Company (ex Royal Assoc. for deaf People)
-Chymes Hair Consultancy (ex awn to Dusk Tanning)
-Chateau Home Interiors (ex Fire Your Imagination)
-Bikehut, 111-113 High Street (ex WHSmith)
-Pandoro, 74 High Street (ex Coffee Zone)
-Skipton Building Society (ex Portman Building Society)
-Country Bridal, St. Martins Walk - short let until June 08)
-Les Tuileries, Pump Corner - 1st floor above The Corner House
DORKING Dan
I must admit, I have not been to the Spotted Dog on my numerous pub crawls of Dorking. Where is it situated?? Or, maybe I have?? Found it to be very interesting that the Bulls Head has been singled out by the forum for anti-social behaviour. The last time I went there, I found the pub to be very intimidating and very dodgy. It reminded me of some of the pubs in Leatherhead ie. the Dukes Head and the Wetherspoons. There were numerous people blocking the pavement outside the front, lots of people carrying their glasses out and leaving them strewn all over the High Street and sadly, they had little or no respect for the residents who lived nearby by swearing, shouting, being aggressive. It seemed to be the norm!
Finally, it is always very interesting to see the latest update from the Dorking forum on the state of the retailing environment in the town. Sadly, it does not look too promising. Apparently, there are at least FOUR shops in Leatherhead that have put their premises up for rent this week alone. Not good!
Leatherhead Lip
Nice to see that FatFace is still coming to Dorking, albeit in June. A clothing shop of that caliber to definitely needed in the town. Apart, there is very little to get excited about. Still have idea on what is opening up in the former Gallery 238 and the West Cornwall Pasty Co. units?? And, surprise, surprise the bridal shop in St. Martin's Walk is only open till June on a short term let.
As for The Bulls Head pub, I have no problems with the people who frequent this place. Yes, it can be a little lively on some nights but, it can also be a good place to go for a mellow drink as well. Mo the landlord is trying his best to drum up trade by having student nights, open mike nights etc. The food at lunchtimes is not too bad either. It is typical that the residents of Dorking have nothing better to do than complain about a pub that is too noisy and has people hanging outside the door have the odd fag or two. If you would like peace and quiet, move out of the town centre and move to the countryside. No doubt, you would probably end up complaining about the church bells ringing, the birds singing etc. etc.
Ruth White
Post a Comment
<< Home