Forum Topic

Promote What We Already Have!

A friend visited Brentford yesterday and had two great suggestions to bring more revenue into Brentford and to liven up the town:1. Brentford has quite a few pubs - even 4 in Griffin Park, I believe. Could it be the #1 pub town in London? (Even if it's not, we could claim it is.) Could Brentford promote this fact? Have "Pub Days"? Oktoberfest celebrations? Street festivals that celebrate the brilliance of beer? Maybe we could use safe "Pub Crawls" to attract visitors? Tell Americans that Brentford has numerous, off-the-beaten path pubs and they'll flock to Brentford. More money in Brentford would benefit us all.I realize that we residents appreciate the fact that the pubs are a quiet, relaxed place for us to unwind. We don't want to upset that delicate balance. But maybe, together, we could come up with a compromise...2. Is there any way to attract visitors to the canal? Can it be like Venice somehow? Maybe we could combine the two ideas and have a pub on the canal where visitors could glide up in a gondola and have a drink.Anyway, I just like to throw ideas out there to see what takes hold. Tell me what you think.

Brian Bishop ● 6674d20 Comments

That could lead to embarrassing misunderstandings!

Nigel Moore ● 6673d

Local punks...?;-)

Keith Iddon ● 6673d

Who'd know what they mean these days?

Nigel Moore ● 6673d

... well I am not coming with you if you are singing those words, Nigel! ...  ;-)

Sarah Felstead ● 6673d

Such a wimp Sarah! Am surprised at you.

Nigel Moore ● 6673d

That's Great! We could start every pub crawl and street festival with a chorus of that! Too much fun. The history of Brentford is so deep, it's hard for me to believe that the town isn't in tip-top shape with visitors everywhere.Thanks!

Brian Bishop ● 6673d

'I’d love to hear it done live in some our pubs now!'.... might have to change a few of the words ...  ;-)

Sarah Felstead ● 6673d

Brian, you should also get hold of Gillian Clegg’s new book “Brentford and Chiswick Pubs”.Keith is spot on re Brentford’s former reputation. I wrote this in a draft history of my dock:In case of difficulty reading the lines the song goes – “Go no more to Brainford [early variant of the name] unless you love a punke [prostitute] for that wicked sinful town hath made me drunk. Come follow me.”If I’ve managed it, the version you hear is being sung as a round. I’d love to hear it done live in some our pubs now!

Nigel Moore ● 6673d

Keith! I can't take all the credit for my political incorrectness. It was really inspired by the highly successful pub walks conducted by London Walks. As for the blue file, that is just the history I am interested in! It will be extremely interesting to visitors. I'll find the file.Thank you so much! Brian

Brian Bishop ● 6674d

Brian,You suggestions seem to fly in the face of all modern politically correct thoughts on alcohol abuse...good on ya!Have a look at the blue file on Brentford that tells you all about the history of the pub culture(if it can be called culture!)in Brentford over the years.Apparently about 120-150 yrs ago there were 134 pubs or ale houses in the parish and by the 1930's this no. had 'dwindled' to 50 odd,the names of which are celebrated in a ,now legendary,poem in the file.The file can be found at the Library.This used to a working,drinking,whoring town frequented by London's rich larrakins out for a bit of mischief.It was famous for drunkeness,sex and violence.

Keith Iddon ● 6674d

The Nelson

Bernadette Paul ● 6674d

Thanks! That's exactly what I had been searching for - of course, it was right under my nose.Anyway, by my count there are 22 pubs in Brentford. Now, what is the population of Brentford?

Brian Bishop ● 6674d

There is a list on www.brentfordtw8.com/leisure/pubs.htm

Andy Jones ● 6674d

I even flicked back a couple of times to make sure I did not repeat any!!Time for a nap I think.

Paul Fisher ● 6674d

Good job, Paul, just re-list those already mentioned! Are you researching them now?

Colin Murphy ● 6674d

The WatermansThe PotterysThe Old Fire Station (ish)The Weir

Paul Fisher ● 6674d

George and DragonNew InnThe AlbanyPrincess RoyalBricklayer's ArmsThe GriffinThe Royal OakThe GlobeI'm sure there must be more.

Katherine Kaufman ● 6674d

Does a comprehensive list of Brentford pubs exist? I live on the Island, so I know of the following:O'BriensSix BellsMagpie and CrownThe WeirThe Brewery TapThe BeehiveWaterman's ArmsThe Old FirehouseCaptain Morgan'sOf course, there are dozens more, but I'm not familiar with them. Can you help me build a list? Which have the most interesting histories?Thanks! Brian

Brian Bishop ● 6674d

Nigel! The Brewery Tap is an excellent pub. What a great idea.

Brian Bishop ● 6674d

Nice ideas Brian.With appropriate (and overdue) dredging, such river-bus arrival close to the Brewery Tap would be a viable proposition.

Nigel Moore ● 6674d