American keen to make most of Brit pub closures
29 June, 2009
Business venture could see US pub kitted out with furniture from UK
An American businessman is looking to take advantage of pub closures in the UK by salvaging goods to create his own traditional pub.
While up to 50 pubs are closing every week in the UK Greg Pedersen is keen to open a British style pub in Williamsburg, Virginia – a town founded in 1607 with what he describes as "bags of English heritage".
And to make it as authentic as possible he wants licensees on this side of the pond to help him furnish the pub.
He said: “The bar and most of all the fixtures will be from an original English pub. I envision an old English phone booth out front or maybe even functioning as the entrance to the pub.
“I want the menu to include predominantly British fare, yards and half yards of ale, darts and a piano player for nightly sing-a-longs.”
The pub is set to open up in the next 12 months in the New Town development of Williamsburg but as yet the pub does not have a name – something else Pedersen is looking for help with.
“I’d also like interesting signage and a suggested name would be great, especially if it has old unique signage to accompany it,” he said.
Pedersen’s runs his own marketing company and part owned golf business Nevada Bob’s but has never previously worked in pubs.
Despite this he is confident his venture will not go the way of the Brit pubs he is hoping helps to furnish the venue.
“I have read a lot in the press about pubs closing left right and centre in your part of the world. That is unfortunate but it may give me and my partner an opportunity to pick up some interesting stuff from the prior owners to use over here.
“Although the business climate is really tough here like it is everywhere, I think if you create something special or offer people an experience they won’t find anywhere else then you have a better chance of success.”
• If you can help Greg with furniture or a pub name email gregped@yahoo.com
Readers' comments
If he wants a really authentic pub born out of the current meltdown - he could introduce a Customer Tie. This is where the punters agree (signed contract and all that) not to drink in any similar establishment; to pay whatever price asked, to contribute to the fruit machine without expecting to win and to help out with running repairs and redecoration once in a while. They would also be prepared to pay a seat and stool tax, and comfort charges could be added for use of 'John'. A really British name...? how about "Ye Olde Scholars Tie"?
"If you can help Greg with furniture or a pub name email gregped@yahoo.com" - Dear Greg, I sincerely hope you can preserve something of the Great British Pub, to prove to future generations they once existed. All you have to do is turn up a bankruptcy auction for any one of the 53+ pubs that are closing every week and you sould get all the fittings you need for a few quid. After all nobody else is buying. And the name? How about 'The Bitter End'?
Call me a skeptic but hasn't this already been done a thousand times or more in the States? In some areas it's hard to find an American bar, there are so many faux-English pubs (or the inevitable faux-Irish)?
He could call it The Lord Nelson. Because like him, this guy has 1 eye on what could be a good move in the USA