"The Vesper" circa 1948-9

bluebell · Post by **bluebell** » Mon 10 Nov, 2008 1:01 am

Here are three shots taken in the "beer garden" of what my parents called "The Vesper" (now Vesper Gate?).We walked through mostly rural land from the prefabs on Queenswood Drive or, after about 1952, the brand new council house in the same street. I am the surly boy (born 1945, now 63).I have fond memories of warm summer evenings here.I usually got a bottle of fizzy purple stuff called "Portello" (it is on the table in the photos) and a packet of Smith's crisps and my father usually had Tetley's IIRC. There were gnarled very old apple trees in the garden.

simong · Post by **simong** » Mon 10 Nov, 2008 1:22 am

Correct, it's the Vesper Gate, but everyone calls it the Vesper. Still next to the Abbey playing fields and across the road from the Abbey itself. It looks like the management company are trying to run down the current landlord and clientele (he's not far off retirement and the Sky contract didn't get renewed this year: the general belief is that it will get remade as a gastropub to compete with the West End).

bluebell · Post by **bluebell** » Mon 10 Nov, 2008 1:30 am

Apologies for the two threads, Mods.Maybe you can merge or delete one?Sorry.

The Doggers · Post by **The Doggers** » Mon 10 Nov, 2008 9:40 am

I was working Sundays there until a few months ago. I can't believe they would want to run it down, we were selling out of food on Sundays! The palce was packed. The pub also consistently scores circa 100% on mystery customer visits from the parent company. Fred, the landlord, I think is about 4 years away from retiring yet. I think they are going to carry on until his daughter finishes school.Can't believe they have not renewed the Sky contract! That probably will hit them quite hard.

bluebell · Post by **bluebell** » Mon 10 Nov, 2008 2:40 pm

Pics now added at first post.

simong · Post by **simong** » Mon 10 Nov, 2008 4:48 pm

The Doggers wrote: I was working Sundays there until a few months ago. I can't believe they would want to run it down, we were selling out of food on Sundays! The palce was packed. The pub also consistently scores circa 100% on mystery customer visits from the parent company. Fred, the landlord, I think is about 4 years away from retiring yet. I think they are going to carry on until his daughter finishes school.Can't believe they have not renewed the Sky contract! That probably will hit them quite hard. I don't mean that the pub will be closed, just upgraded a bit - this is what it seems like anyway. Not renewing Sky seems to have come from above although the place is always full for big games. I get the feeling that someone wants to try and get the Abbey concert business that usually ends up in the West End.