Victoria pub in Newcastle given a new lease of life
A DERELICT pub which has stood empty for more than five years is finally set to reopen after a complete refurbishment.
The Victoria, on King Street, Newcastle, has been snapped up by Shropshire based company Caldmore Taverns.
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'HERE TO STAY': Dave Griffin Is the new landlord of The Victoria.
The firm, which already operates Darcys in Fenton, the Sutherland Arms in Stoke, Brennans in Kidsgrove, and the Wheatsheaf in Northwood, plans to reopen it by the middle of this month.
With a history that dates back to the early 1860s, new landlord Dave Griffin, aged 48, is hoping to recapture the pub's place in the lives of locals.
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He said: "We want to emphasise that this is going to be a local pub, employing Newcastle people and, where possible, serving locally sourced food.
"We're working with local breweries to bring Staffordshire ales in, and we'll be rotating these on a regular basis so we can promote everything that the area is known for."
Tens of thousands of pounds have been spent on refurbishing the property, which boasts a bar made out of two dressing tables from Whiston Hall Golf Club, and an antique grandfather clock.
Dave added: "We're not just focusing on one type of person with The Victoria, we want it to be somewhere local workers can get a bite to eat or stop in and do some work with a coffee.
"Lots of publicans complain that the smoking ban has ruined the pub trade, but I've always seen it as a chance to reinvent what a pub means to people."
Owner Debbie Bird, said: "The most important thing for people to know about us is that we're here to stay.
"This isn't a flash-in-the-pan enterprise. We are invested in this for the long run."
Local tradesmen have been employed to carry out the refurbishment, and Dave and Debbie hope to employ up to 10 further people in the future.
The reopening has been welcomed by Mervyn Edwards, of the Potteries Pub Preservation Society, who said the historic building had advertised itself in the 1860s as a 'good coach house' with stable accommodation for three horses.
He said: "I never expected The Victoria to reopen as a pub, so this news is pleasing.
"I used to drink there before it closed, and it was never a ostentatious place. Newcastle has become a dire place for pubs, and there's often very little going on in the week. This is a very good thing for the pub scene.
Lucy Scott, aged 22, of Heath Street, said: "People like a local pub and I always think locals cause less trouble in places like this, so it's a bit nicer for everyone.
"It's good to see pubs opening up, and there's not a lot of competition around here so it will fill a gap."
Emily Sadler, aged 23, lives in Fenton, but works nearby.
She said: "You don't really see pubs opening anymore, so it's good news.
"I expected to see it being turned into some sort of housing, as that seems to be the case everywhere else – not that anyone can afford new houses."
Comments
by camband
Saturday, October 06 2012, 2:51PM
“The Victoria pub in King St (the 'Little Vic'), was where, to my knowledge, the last regular 'solo-whist school' met up every Sunday Morning at Noon prompt as soon as the doors opened... That was back in the late 80s... possible stretching to the early 90s.
Those 'old solo schools' -the working man's 'Bridge' were dotted all over the Potteries during my youth -and not just on a Sunday Lunchtime session. A good 'solo-school' could go on for decades, with 'watchers', enthusiasts who stood or sat around the card table observing the play, would also be used as 'stand-ins' when any of the four 'school-members' were off sick or on holiday.
These so called 'watchers/stand-ins' -also proved as a 'ready replacement' when a member died -or just got too old to 'play and equal part' -with the old memory playing up and leading to more 'inquests' -some of which could be brutal affairs with victims' mental state shown no mercy -if one single card had been played wrong or not played at all -when it could have won the game for the 'three' taking on the 'one'... and filled their pockets instead of emptying them.
Another 'old school' and I believe the oldest at the time in North Staffordshire -unbroken for over 40 years -met every Wednesday evening (possibly Sunday Lunch too), at the Isaac Walton pub at Cresswell. I assume that to has 'bitten the dust' in these times of 24 hour tv and now the internet -and computer games. A real shame.
I wish them well at the 'Little Vic' -but doubt whether a 'solo-school' will emerge from the ashes. But at least the 'ghosts of schools gone by' will be looking in and wishing they could all come back.”
by AleLover
Friday, October 05 2012, 10:24AM
“Great hopes for this pub, I'm sure I will be frequenting it often. I just hope that they don't just focus on 'too' local beers, there are fantastic beers from all over the country that just aren't seen enough in North Staffs”