Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
1 January 2011
21:2287192#1
Jean and I popped into the White Horse lunchtime and we were told that the pub is closing tomorrow; I asked a few regulars if it was true and they all said they had heard that it was.
If it is, why, is the biggest question; from what Colin has said, it has a good set of regulars and I knew some of them there today. Can it be that not enough people are spending their money there ?
If you are looking in Jeanette, is it true - can you squash the rumours ?
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
1 January 2011
21:3787200#2
sounds like an early april fools joke.
the "white horse" has been resurrected like the phoenix from the ashes and has been doing well with channel swimmers, tourists and locals.
there is no other hostelry nearby than can offer the same.
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
1 January 2011
21:5287202#3
All
It is (as far as I know) true that the directors of the holding company that runs both the White Horse and Park Inn, have made a decision to cease trading from the White Horse on Monday. The reasons for this are not for discussion on a public forum.
Notwithstanding this Jeanette has indicated her desire to continue to run the White Horse to Mandy amongst others. She has a team of people supporting and working with her on this. Further discussions are ongoing in particular with Enterprise who own the pub with a view to firstly keeping it open in the short term whilst its future is resolved and more importantly secure its long term future under Jeanette and her backers.
This absolutely is not the end of the White Horse.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
1 January 2011
22:3987211#4
Well, seeing how busy it`s been whenever I`ve been in there, what with all the swimmers, cyclists, cruise ship passengers not to mention all the regulars, I`m really surprised to hear this sad news, and I know Jeanette`s put her best into it. Just doesn`t make sense to me, though I have no knowledge of what sort of turnover a business like this needs to keep going. And yet we`ve seen another pub a mere 2 minute walk away reopen last month. I hope things come to a successful outcome for Jeanette, she`s worked hard down there.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
1 January 2011
22:4187212#5
I also hope that Colin,but I have been going inthere in the mornings and i have been the only one in the pub at times,
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
1 January 2011
22:5787216#6
Same here Vic, though in the warmer month`s, as shown in the picture`s I`ve posted on here, a number of American cruise passenger`s come looking for the pub in preference to travelling out of town on a coach.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
1 January 2011
23:1887221#7
Seems a shame if it does permanently shut, Dover will be losing part of its history yet again.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
2 January 2011
08:3787226#8
Thanks for your posting Ross.
I appreciate that Mandie's financial arrangements should not be aired on a public forum.
Hope Jeanette and her supporters can come up with a package that would work; Jeanette is very good and works hard at whatever she does.
Long Live the White Horse.
Roger
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
2 January 2011
10:0587231#9
Gosh this is sad news. im hoping it will remain open with ever cheerful Jeanette at the helm.
Its nice to tell ourselves that its always full in there but its not the case. Thats the problem. Ive been in a number of times and it was quite empty and even on the friday night before Christmas too, so its very sad. A few oul staunch forumites came in later on that night...all legends in their own times..Ian, Phil, and Ross, and as ever twas good to see them. Jan and meself were joined by the lads and Jeanette and we sat round the table for a jar or two and a chat. I always have dinner or lunch in there depending on the time of day and its always good.
So any prospect of it closing would fill all of us with horror Im sure.
I referred recently to another pub, didnt want to name it but will for clarity purposes this time. The First and Last. Thats had more landlords than you can shake a stick at and tried food and everything else but nothing works. Its off the beaten track and has no chance of remaining in business long term in my view. This essentially shows the plight and difficulty of the smaller pub now.
Across the Russell St carpark just a hundred yards away from the White Horse, that other pub ( name escapes me for the moment) has re-opened, but that represents both good and bad news. Bad news in the sense that there just isnt enough business to go round, its a small market now, and this pub could take several hundred a week away from the White Horse. Result...something has to give. This is just a guestimation but you get the drift.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
2 January 2011
10:1387232#10
yes it would be a shame if it shut for good,it would be a great loss.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
2 January 2011
10:2187233#11
The Castle Inn Paul B .very popular when the TV studios were opposite .Every budget day you would get s few locals on there giving their views It was also used by staff who worked on the Hovercraft wasnt it Alec ?
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
2 January 2011
10:3287235#12
Ah thats the one indeed Sue. Many thanks..oul memory bank is on overload here
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
2 January 2011
10:5187236#13
With all the very high costs a pub has in this day and age they will struggle, good beer, food, atmosphere or history is no longer enough. The only ones that struggle less are those in a prime location with large floor space so they can diversify more easily to cater for what is needed in their area, be it music, food, etc.
It is always sad when a pub with such a historical past closes, but nostalgia does not pay the bills.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 663- Registered: 20 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,136
2 January 2011
11:2687237#14
Oh that will be a shame its been there for many years, but as has been said people do not have the money now a days and its cheaper to buy at the supermarket and drink at home, so if that is the case good luck to jeanette we hope she is successful.
Guest 682- Registered: 19 Jan 2009
- Posts: 146
2 January 2011
12:3487240#15
I took a walk round town last evening and none of the pubs were doing much trade.l I then got to the one that was nearest to home and this one was packed. Which one was that - The White Horse so that proves to some extent the popularity of the place.
I did manage to speak with Jeanette who naturally doesn't want to say anything at the moment as she is a little shocked at only being told what was happening 24 hours before apparently. There are now notices on the doors advising that after business on Monday the pub will be temporarily closed.
At the moment, The Castle pub doesn't come up to the standard the Horse does - all pressure beer so no real ale.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
2 January 2011
13:3687254#16
T'would be a shame to lose another pub, especially one with such an interesting history as The White Horse, whenever I have partaken in the quaffing of a pint of real ale preferably 'Landlord', the White Horse would always be my first choice.
Let us hope that this can be resolved quickly and Jeanette will be once more pulling the pints.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
2 January 2011
13:3787258#17
on pubs in general, have to say the price of a night out puts me off
but everyone to there own.
the castle pub when TVS was there used to be packed and often presenters would be in there knocking the ale back.
today the climatehas changed and the old time packed pubs has gone, and its a difficult trade to be in.
that said the albery does a fair trade morning noon and night
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
2 January 2011
14:1287261#18
I have just got in from the White Horse and the landlady is very upbeat that the White Horse will be open again within weeks and that is verygood news for us all ,all we can do is support her in anyway we can and that is by useing the pub alot till the doors close on Monday night.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
2 January 2011
16:5187271#19
pubs are falling like nine pins all over the country, i hope that this one will not go that way.
it probably didn't help when the castle reopened, not enough customers to keep both going, keith mentions the cost of a night out in a pub, not cheap nowadays.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
2 January 2011
17:1187279#20
At over £3.00 a pint, it certainly isn't cheap to support your local pub.
Part of the problem (and I'm not sure if it is the case with the White Horse and the owners, Enterprise Inns) is that many tied pubs have to buy their (wet) supplies from the chain owners (Enterprise Inns), they also pay much more than buying from an independant supplier and more than a free-house would pay from that chain.
If they had greater freedom to buy from where ever they chose, then the cost would be much cheaper and they could sell their beers etc. for less and probably more people would visit them.
So really, it's the short-sightedness and greed of the big chains that causes many of the problems.
Roger