The Cricketers, South Street
What is happening to the pubs in Dorking lately. Apparently Arty P's is reverting back to the infamous JB's and the Kings Arms has lost it's old spark. Now the Cricketers seems to be losing its way.
I stepped in there last Saturday night and they were playing 70's disco music. It was blasting out, not just loud but deafening, where you wouldn't even be able to hold a conversation. Even more surprising was that it was dead - so why bother.
What has happened to the last mixed age pubs in the town?
posted by The Cockerel @ 9:45 PM
7 Comments:
Apparently, the former landlord (John) has moved onto Portugal and has sold The Cricketers to a young couple. The deal is still going through and the paperwork should be completed in a month or so. In the meantime, the pub is being run by short man who has a very high opinion of himself. Don't worry, he is only a relief manager and feels he can pull the punters in by having disco's, karoake, DJ's etc. Hopefully, he won't be around much longer, as he has no personality, ignores the regulars and is trying to turn a once decent pub into another version of The Bulls Head when it was managed by Mo. Pleased to hear the pub was dead. Hopefully, the moronic manager will learn from his mistakes and revert this pub back to a decent boozer with good ales and where the art of converstion has not been lost. If I wanted loud music, long queues at the bar and people swilling lager and alcopops, I would have ventured down to The Surrey Yeoman on Saturday night. Hopefully the new couple will see sense and get rid of this very short man with a very big attitude.
DORKING Dan
It looks like the original concept of a public house is dying out. They used to be a place to meet up with friends, have a chat and have a pint or a glass of wine. Now, pubs are fast becoming overrun with loud music, televisions showing non-stop sport and binge drinking specials (like 2 for 1 shot specials, cheap lager promotions). In other words, the old fashioned public house is dying out at the expense of sport and theme pubs. The only decent pub left in Dorking at present is The Pilgrim. It still attracts a mixed crowd, young and old, male and female. John Bateman and 'Tricky' (aka Richard) still run a top notch pub. The staff are really good and the food is exceptional. Nothing is microwaved and none of the food is from Brakes Brothers. The food at The Pilgrim is from the locality and generally comes from the butchers. Saying that, it was rammed at The Pilgrim on Saturday evening. There was a party to celebrate John and Richard's 10 years at the helm at The Pilgrim. It was a great evening - good food, a mixed crowd and a night definitely to remember! Just hoping that some of the other watering holes in Dorking, can get back to their former glory ie. The Cricketers, The Kings Arms and The Bulls Head. Sorry, but I forgot to mention that The Star is still a great pub. It maybe a bit on the small side but, this pub still has a great atmosphere without the aid of televisions dotted all around the place. Jo
That new guy is an idiot. He thinks he is all that and that the place would not survive without him. I think his name is Shaun. He is short, dull as dishwater and has not a clue how to engage the customers in conversation. Thankfully, the beers are still pretty good. I am not going back until the new couple have settled into the Cricks'
Cricketers Chris
++ News flash++ The short guy I mentioned above, is moving onto The Bulls Head. Apparently, he has big plans for the pub - sofas, decking and he has been checking out the competition in and around Dorking. He must be absolutely crazy as this pub has very little potential and everything he does will be carefully scrutinised by the neighbours, the council and the police. As for The Cricketers, the new couple are moving in within the next two to three weeks. The lease is in the process of being signed and all the regulars at The Cricks' are hoping that the pub can go back to being run as a pub rather than a disco with loud obnoxious music pumping out onto South Street. Also noticed that there was a comment made elsewhere about a lunatic bicyclist who frequents The Cricks', that comment was spot on. He drinks in the pub on a daily basis and is seen to be flouting every law in the book when he cycles in and around the town. How he has not been hit by a car, a bus or by a pissed off pedestrian is anyone's guess??
Cricketers Chris
Cannot wait till The Cricketers is under new ownership. This pub needs some tender loving care, a landlord who cares and won't change the pub into a gastropub or something worse. This pub has always been a decent boozer - has great Fuller's ales, is friendly and is a place to read the newspaper and have a conversation. So, fingers crossed that the new couple will make a real go of the pub, have some personality and will not alienate the punters like that short geezer did. Pleased he is off to pastures new, even though it is just down the road. He must be on crack cocaine, if he thinks he can turn The Bulls Head (aka The Titanic) around!!!
DORKING Dan
Again another whinging and stinging comment left by Dorking Dan. Anyone who can try and rescue the Bulls Head deserves a lot of credit. At the moment, the pub sits empty during the day and night and is in definite need of a refurb, new staff and a change of direction. So, if the short geezer (Dorking Dan's words not mine..) can pull it off and turn it around it will be a massive achievement. Just hope he can get necessary money from the brewery and that the neighbours won't drive him out like they did to Mo. x
The short guy is off at the end of this week. No longer will we have to listen to him DJ, his drunken ramblings and his very annoying sarf London accent. He is currently bumming and boasting about his future exploits in running The Bulls Head in a matter of weeks. In the meantime, we are waiting for the imminent arrival of the new couple who are going to take over the helm at The Cricketers. Will keep you informed of what the new couple is like. Hopefully, here is to much better times at The Cricks'
Cricketers Chris
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