Forum Topic

The Roebuck - closed

If true, the seeds of it's closure can also be traced back to when the then Manager (Henry) departedHis excellent team remained in place but the incoming Manager alienated the team to the extent they all moved on. I made the point to the Area 'Manager' that it's normal for some staff angst when a new Manager comes on board but to lose an entire team suggested of a wider problem.I received a dismissive reply back where he said he and his colleagues thought standards had improved (never mind feedback from a regular as I pointed out) Did try again after that Manager moved on, but his replacement seemingly couldn't get a grip. Staff chatting to each other while customers waited.Never tried the Steam Packet but both prime sites which I hope re-open will re-open swiftly once we're through the present...

Matthew Acton ● 2411d23 Comments

Not sure when the change took place, but I more or less stopped going in a couple of years ago. I used to be a regular. The service/staff seemed totally disinterested. I still think the site has great potential with that garden and the cinema coming. Hopefully someone good takes it over.

Ben Grundy ● 2411d

Couple of years was around the time Ben, so not surprised to hear that I was alone (which was another point I made in my feedback to Head Office)

Matthew Acton ● 2411d

My son and daughter both had a friend who worked behind the bar. One of them Lloyd was allways on the boil with customers in my experiance and allways welcoming to all

Julian Pavey ● 2411d

Lloyd was excellent and should have got the gig post Henry.

Matthew Acton ● 2411d

Not somewhere I normally went, because it was the wrong end of CHR for me, including heading west when coming out of TG Tube. Also because it seemed the drinks were very expensive (though pubs should be allowed to charge what they can get).It's hard to know what will happen when things finally get back to normal. On the one hand, there will always be a demand for well-run pubs in good locations, and with a post-virus economic slump to last many years, I can't see there being the money/demand for converting pubs into flats as we've seen in recent years.On the other, many people simply won't have the money to spend going out to pubs, restaurants and other entertainment venues that they used to. God I badly miss going out to the pub already.

Richard Cathcart ● 2411d

Supermarkets have really excellent wine at a fraction of the price you would pay when eating out. Clearly won't be the same  experience - personally with a little more time to spare and no cleaner I will be the Dometic Goddess of my home.  Very sorry for hospitality industry atm and for those who can get through this it behoves all of us to support. I am afraid I can't leave this post without a plea to support your local animal rescue centres. They get no government support and are having to take in animals from stupid people who wrongly think UK animals carry CV and hae had to close to the public while having no income from rehoming fees but massive food, shelter, volunteer staff and their esential expensive, medical issues and ongoing rehoming work including employing behavioural issues when necessary.  All that said, rehoming organisations have been overwhelmed with animals they want to foster/rehome for a quick love fix when they are feeling bad.  Doesn't work that way. Animal needs first and foremost. Idiots, stop wasting the time of these incredible centres.

Claire Moran ● 2411d

We used to go for the set lunch nearly every day at one time.Loved sitting out in the garden.

Philippa Bond ● 2411d

I used to go to the previous Roebuck every now and again. They used to broadcast Ireland soccer games using a feed from Setanta which I suspect was of dubious origin because they were a bit picky about who they let in. This may have been in the days of more restrictive licensing hours as well. Never went to the Feathers but I don't think it was a rough pub as people I know who used to drink there would not have gone to it if it was. The location next to the A4 and a council estate probably led some to prejudge it a bit like some people did with the Duke of York. Talking of Con, I am normally the last person who would go in for karaoke but some of the best nights I've had in Chiswick were at Jack Stamps and his version of Red Rose Cafe was a highlight. Some quite well known characters used to pick up the mike — I heard Lawrence Dallaglio sing there once.

Andrew OSullivan ● 2410d

Matthew, I was a regular in the Roebuck for years until it started to go down hill after Henry departed when the post should have gone to Lloyd his natural successor. It had great staff there in Henry, Lloyd, Liam and Jared. Good times and there was a community about the place.Back then getting a space at the bar or to sit was near impossible, but recently it was... hmmm take your pick.

David Lawson-Williams ● 2410d

Thanks David - appreciate you getting the thread back on track and the sentiments which chime...

Matthew Acton ● 2410d

Staff, in my opinion, are extremely important to the atmosphere in a pub. They have to balance engagement with customers and getting the job done, it is not easy.It will be interesting to see what happens with business rates and rents, when they reopen. Brewery’s tend to think they are hard nosed property companies and councils see them as commercial premises that can afford astronomical rates without any regard the local social benefits they provide for local residents.

John Southey ● 2409d

Like many others I found the service at the Roebuck very hit and miss the few times I went there in recent years.On what the future might hold, remember the recent acquisition of these pubs was the result of the Food & Fuel chain founded by former Cafe Rouge boss Karen Jones selling her London pub chain to the Restaurant Group for £15 million about 18 months ago.Given the Restaurant Group is in dire financial straits (it was already on the slide before COVID due to over paying to acquire the Wagamama Group of restaurants), it has placed the Food & Fuel Group into Administration which means a buyer (either the prior owner or a new team) could easily come in and acquire to relaunch the group and brand.One suspects that there will be a lot of such opportunistic buying at knock down prices by investors who have spare cash after this pandemic is over?

Joe Conneely ● 2409d

Agreed -  The Roebuck was cracking a couple of years back however its really dropped off - slow service and the food was mediocre at bestthey did a great job with The Steam Packet- really good layout and the staff were excellent in thereIm sure they will both re-open, however the dream of a cool beer in a pub garden does seem a way off, doesnt it

Tim Garfoot ● 2408d

Some 25 years ago it changed it's name from the Roebuck to the Rat and Parrot. ...then in 2002 became The Birdcage.Gillian Clegg's (RIP) Chiswick Pubs book is a good read.

Jim Lawes ● 2408d

Copied from https://brentfordandchiswicklhs.org.uk/search-discover/chiswick-history-homepage/pubs/ROEBUCKThe Roebuck, licensed from at least 1732, was one of the main coaching inns in Chiswick High Road and was where the Manorial Court usually held their meetings. The pub was known for its fine bowling green and its extensive stabling. The original building was demolished in 1890 and replaced by the present building with statues of Roebucks adorning the pediments. The pub’s name has been changed many times in recent years. It was re-christened the Chiswick Eyot in 1983, reverted back to the Roebuck in 1989, renamed the Rat and Parrot in 1996 (despite protests from local residents) and the Bird Cage in 2002. It became the Roebuck again in 2006 when it was bought by Food and Fuel which turned it into a gastro pub.

Colin Potter ● 2407d

Item on front page suggests a bit of financial engineering has gone on to bring them back to life. Good news as long as this hasn't been done at the expense of suppliers and staff of the previous incarnation of the pub. Steam Packet is also opening again in ten days time.

Andrew OSullivan ● 2296d

Good news indeed - however a lot of regulars would be happy with a refresh of the last team staffing the place (see my original post)

Matthew Acton ● 2296d

My local TRG pub The Grosvenor in Hanwell is also re-opening.Great news as it is on a site that was ripe for residential (over)development.

N V Brooks ● 2296d

My local also, well apart from the Fox and the Viaduct , just like the Roebuck the Grosvenor seemed to go downhill after Food and Fuel relinquished control.It will be interesting to see if the current reopening is just a temporary measuring heres hoping not.

David Burke ● 2296d

New staff hopefully Gents toilet needs a good make overThe disabled toilet was dreadful as wellThe food was poor of lateSo hopefully they will get a grip with the above

Jon morris ● 2296d

I was never a massive fan of The Roebuck (apart from the garden where I once met DJ Norman Jay - the first and only person I've asked for a photo with) but I'm glad it's re-opening.I'm even more happy about the Stem Packet, mind - I thought it was probably the best of the SotG pubs when it re-opened.

Mike Firth ● 2293d

Steam Packet - one of the nicely refurbished pubs and location in Chiswick. Hopefully the food service will be as good this time round. If it is, it should be rammed 24/7.

Rob Reynolds ● 2293d

great news- only recently discovered the steam packet and then it shut...a snsne of normality hopefully and slowly returning

Tim Garfoot ● 2292d