I can’t remember a new pub opening in Abingdon before. But JD Wetherspoon are opening a brand new pub and have chosen to open on a day when the town will be packed – Tuesday 8th October – the second day of Abingdon Street Fair.
Many people passing by have a look in at the new interior – excitement is mounting.
The bar is not where we used to queue to post parcels and get car tax disks. The old sorting office has been opened up, and the building has been transformed into something much bigger.
Does anyone remember when the College Oak opened? The last new pub in Abingdon?
The Brewery Tap opened after Greene king ripped the warrick The Crown from the town.
The Midget was probably in the 1970s, College Oak would be 80s I think,
Dont think much of the sign, its small.
Wasn’t it still morlands when the crown and warrick were closed to make way for the tap?
College Oak: I lived on Peachcroft estate from 1983 – 1986, when the houses in Norris Close were brand new. The College Oak wasn’t there in 1983, so I’m thinking it was built around 1984/85.
What no wheel chair access. Surely this cannot be right im this age.
I really hope that’s a temporary sign, it’s awful.
Ray
There is a lift just inside the front left hand door.
I see the council tried to stop it opening according to the Herald today.
Sounds right, the council seem to oppose any new business ventures i.e. Crown and Thistle 10k for access.
Just to correct this before another chain of moans starts – the council has not tried to stop the pub opening, and it (as with the crown amd thistle) welcomes the narrows.
What the council has done is pointed out that the day they are planning to open, is one of the days that ock street is closed for the fair. The concern was the owners may not have been aware of the restrictions around deliveries etc being new to the area.
Hear hear Iain, at least someone is paying attention
Mmm strange name ….. I expect it’ll stick though. Strange sign too, looks more like a betting shop sign.
However …. wishing them all the best and am sure to visit to sample their wares at some point real soon nomnomnom……
The College Oak opened in around 1985 I think?
Brewery Tap…1993?
What poor marketing of Wetherspoons to have their Grand Opening on a day when there’ll be so many potential customers in town. They should have opened when no-one was about.
And to think … they’ll be stuck for extra stock deliveries until the following day … I bet they’re so wet-behind-the-ears they’ve totally underestimated the amount of beer they’ll need.
The bunch of amateurs running this company obviously don’t do their research and must be so relieved to know they can count on the Council to point out the error of their ways..
Better a bit of preemptive communication than having to deal with trucks full of beer trying to fight their way down ock street during the fair. It may sound fussy to newcomer but it’s not as if this sort of issue has never arisen in previous years.
It may be of interest to some as to how the name Wetherspoon originated – The J D Wetherspoon name comes from one of Martin’s (Tim Martin, Chairman) teachers in New Zealand who could not control his class and told Tim that he would never succeed in business !
ps. nice one newcomer
Re my earlier question, I have found the great little booklet ‘A Brief History of Abingdon-Time gentlemen Please’, a small booklet about pubs and beer in Abingdon-sold for charity, says that the Brewery Tap was opened in 1995. It also noted the recent closures of the Nags Head and the Plough…! So perhaps things are picking up. There is loads of useful stuff in the book so if you see it, get it.
Nice one Newcomer.
Does anyone know where the name Narrows comes from? Does it have any significance to the building? If not then its a rather poor name in my opinion. I’d also be keen to know what local ales they will be having in the pub? I assume Loose Cannon have been approached? How about Appleford? Does anyone know?
The Narrows was the name of the area before they built the post office i believe
I agree, what an awful sign! I hope it’s a temporary one.
Name isn’t great either.
Yes, the sign is awful. Wetherspoons pub frontage is normally dark blue with gold lettering. Unless its supposed to be one of their Lloyds No1 bars?
If you think the name is bad have you seen the toilets?
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/yourtown/abingdon/10701970.Seeing_red_in_pub_s_gents/
Saw the red sign being taken down this morning. And on the ground was what looked like an old wooden sign also saying The Narrows. Anyone know the story?
yes the “new” old wooden sign has gone up in place of the “new” temporary red sign
Looks better
Just found out the Nags Head on the Bridge is charging £10.00 for entry on
NY EVE no nibbles or !st drink ,
just DJ spinning Tunes into the new year
no discount for locals , so if you went with partner/wife
2 drinks + entrance roughly £30.00
would be surprised if it was full up with party people all night.