As mentioned over on the Beer Brethren group and Facebook page, SJFs pub estate has been sold to Ladhar group, who pretty much owns everything in town. The deal is reported to be 9 million quid upfront, securing all the chain’s pubs.
Ladhar, who have been increasing their property and Pub portfolio to complement their old people’s homes, currently run The Redhouse, Pleased to meet you and Lady Greys which are decent enough boozers, and it would instil a level of hope that they won’t get royally screwed into the ground.
But then Ladhar group bought 28 pubs from the ill-fated Wessex Taverns back in 2007, which included Hoko-10 (sold) Legends ( ran into the ground and sold) and The Red House.
Of course, only time will tell, maybe they will keep them on as a going concern.
Having been a SJF GM for years i popped into Twin Farms for a pint on way back from the airport. All i can say is that the service was as bad as the pint of Guinness i gad. Having been working in Dublin for the past two years where being a barman is a proper job and not just someplace students turn up to to suppliment their income. The guy behind the bar was whinging about having 4 closing shifts, had not a clue how to pour a guinness and was totally disinterested. Maybe he should get a job in a warehousr where he has no interaction. David Horgan who owned SJF would not have wanted his company to become such a non descript venue. Oh for the good old days of great service, great beer and food where the customers always mattered. Now id say they are an inconvenience.