Forum Topic

Magpie & Crown

Read on a London pubs Facebook page that the Magpie is due to close next week as they have had no interest in anyone buying the pub. Is this correct

Neil Chippendale ● 2338d24 Comments

My comment about it being 'quite a walk' was in reply to someone who I believe has limited mobility.  The problem of disabled parking around the high street and up the Blue Road has been raised with various people and officials recently.  I totally appreciate that for most people the new car park will be quite convenient, but not for those of limited walking abilities.

Emma Renton ● 2132d

For me, a four minute walk may as well be forty miles as struggling on two sticks I rue the day that the little car park adjacent to the Magpie and Crown and Sami's Spice was closed. It at least had a few dedicated disabled parking bays, something sadly missing in Brentford. Fortunately, I can get a lift to that end of Brentford.I agree though, for someone able-bodied 'The Carbuncle' is but a few minutes away from fine ales and excellent food.

N V Brooks ● 2133d

Quite a walk? Its like a 4 minute walk from the car park! People will be giving out stink when it closes down, but they are put off going because of a 4 minute walk! Really?! What is the world coming to...

Frank DeWet ● 2133d

If you go in the evening its probably ok to park fairly nearby in the main street, or some side streets to the north of the high street.  During the day parking is extremely limited, and its quite a walk from the new carbuncle of a carpark

Emma Renton ● 2133d

The road behind is closed due to redevelopment, the alley is blocked off (by Ballymore).

Steve Bullman ● 2134d

The alley is now gone and replaced by a hoarding next to (what was) Sami's Spice.

N V Brooks ● 2134d

Google shows that you could park in the road behind the pub and walk up the alley at the side of the pub to the front entrance.  Thanks for info on Thai food, if I can park close by would like to try it.

Jennifer Selig ● 2134d

The Magpie and Crown is on the High Street almost opposite Verdict. There is no back entrance AFAIK.As to the food, it is the best Thai I have eaten in a very long time.

N V Brooks ● 2135d

I am confused by the photos of the riverside shown on the Trip Advisor site for this pub.  On Google the back of this pub looks awful.  Which is correct please?  There's a terrible picture of mis-matched old chairs and table on an outside concrete space - is that how it looks?  Like the idea of good Thai food though.  Presume you can't gain access to the road at the back to park as Ballymore has closed off the entrance from Catherine Rd - don't suppose you can get in from the other end coming under the railway bridge either?

Jennifer Selig ● 2135d

Here is the poem:Fifty Pubs of BrentfordAlfred Pearce wrote this in 1948 when he was seventy-four years old (his family ran The Alexandra pub in the High Street). He starts at the Star and Garter, Kew Bridge Road and proceeds westwards along Brentford High Street, across Brentford Bridge to London Road.  When I was knighted with a STAR AND GARTER    I was pushed into an EXPRESS    On my way to OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE    I smashed into a PLOUGH    And stood aside by the WAGGON AND HORSES    Little beyond a JOLLY TAR    With a LAMB by his side    Receiving a SALUTATION    Presently FOX AND HOUNDS dashed by    A beautiful HAND AND FLOWER    When I met the MARQUIS OF GRANBY    He fell into the QUEEN’S ARMS    Tugging with a BARGE AGROUND    A BULL stared me in the face    As I crossed by the BREWERY TAP and the ROYAL HOTEL    The PRINCE OF WALES stood on the other side    Up above HALF MOON and SEVEN STARS    With a GLITTERING STAR by its side    Cross yonder stood a DRUM    Attacked by a LION    When I reached the ALEXANDRA    I shook hands with GEORGE THE FOURTH    He advised to salute THE WATERMAN’S ARMS    Then I was back into the KING’S ARMS    Up went the roaring CANNON    At the RISING SUN I tried to lift ONE TON    While BRITANNIA stood to one side    And I met the DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE    He told me he had lost his FEATHERS    A little beyond a BEEHIVE    And a BLACK BOY AND STILL    Playing with a CATHERINE WHEEL    As I crossed the BARLEY MOW    There was a magnificent CASTLE    Near by stood a LION    THREE PIGEONS overhead    With MAGPIE AND STUMP    Beside it MAGPIE AND CROWN    TWO BLACK BOYS rang SIX BELLS    Stood staunch with THE MAGNET with LORD NELSON    I got in the JUNCTION ARMS    They pushed me into the DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND    Beyond stood GEORGE AND DRAGON    The STANDARD floating high    With the ANGEL of peace    When the COACH AND HORSES passed by.

Jim Storrar ● 2136d

Popped in today to meet up with an old mate.Well kept local ales from the Twickenham Brewery and simply wonderful Thai food (fragrant and multi-layered flavours).It was really quiet.Use it or lose it.

N V Brooks ● 2136d

Found it!http://www.bhsproject.co.uk/The%20Pubs,%20Inns%20and%20Beer%20Houses%20of%20Brentford.pdf

N V Brooks ● 2302d

Loads have closed and I mean loads.There was an excellent post on the forum many moons ago from the Brentford History Society about the 'pubs of Brentford' and IIRC from the canal/Brent bridge to Kew Bridge there were well over 50.These were frequented by the bargees, lightermen those working at the gasworks, in local industries as well as the locals.If I can fine the link I will post it.

N V Brooks ● 2302d

I don't know the numbers, only that in the time I've lived here (35 years) two have closed and been knocked down/converted to something else (McDonald's stands where the Red Lion once was and another pub along Ealing Road, the name of which I can't remember, was converted into housing). Two other pubs - the Royal Oak and the Albion shut for at least a couple of years but both have since reopened and given new names.There is in fact a poem about the pubs and hostelries in Brentford but I haven't got it to hand.

Anne England ● 2302d

How many pubs are there in Brentford?  Always seems like quite a few - can they all get a good flow of regular customers?  I am a regular visitor from Chiswick to The Griffin - a proper pub with excellent beer and marvelous food.

Jennifer Selig ● 2302d

Magpie is opening at 5.00pm today

Joanna Russell ● 2304d

The Magpie & Crown is rumoured to be reopening on Friday?

Reg Ghosh ● 2306d

Have heard new people have taken over and The Magpie should reopen at a date to be announced fingers crossed.

Jean Harrison ● 2336d

No, not listed (quite a high bar to achieve that) but I think its currently suggested for local listing by LBH. As stated in the reports the pub is excluded from the Ballymore development but has had parts of its surrounding compulsory purchased so Ballymore can build. Great shame the current owners could not make it pay... I do hope it reopens soon.

Iain Muir ● 2336d

Is it a listed building?

Stephen Scott ● 2336d

It might re-open in a few weeks. Watch this space..

Keith Iddon ● 2336d

Last night was the final night! - another part of Brentford's community sacrificed to'development.'

Mick Brent ● 2336d

Just read now closed

Neil Chippendale ● 2337d