Latest open letter from the Chair.
Dear Friends of the Riser
We are facing the end of an era. David and Ruth have confirmed that they have come to an arrangement with Young’s for them to leave after the 14th August.
While we have failed to preserve the status quo beyond August, this campaign has bought precious time and given strength to Dave and Ruth’s negotiations. Please be aware that all your efforts and support have been vital in securing acceptable terms for the Roberts.
The loss of Dave and Ruth will obviously mean a sea change in the pub. Many of you may choose to vote with your feet, but I hope that many continue to support the ideals we have shared at the Riser in recent years and wish to continue to call for choice and an inclusive welcome under the new management.
We must remember that the local residents will have to live with the results of whatever Young’s bring to the Riser and it surely remains in our interests as local drinkers for the pub to be as good as possible.
The STR campaign remains a force to observe and comment on the transition to a Young’s tied house, and to ensure that assurances given to retain the character of the Riser, are acted upon.
Tom Hutchings, Young’s manager of tenanted houses, has spoken with us, suggesting a meeting to discuss our concerns, and to introduce the Tenants they have in mind for the pub. Whilst we have been alienated by Young’s actions, my feeling is that the new tenants must be given an opportunity, as individuals, to be judged on their own merits by their new community.
This meeting recognises the stake that you all have in this pub and provides an opportunity to influence its future. Whilst we may not be able to change the “big” things that would continue to attract us to the pub as customers, it may well be the “little” things that make the pub easier to live with.
We are currently considering a short wish list and would welcome your thoughts, providing they are printable!
It goes without saying that we wish David and Ruth a happy and healthy future. We can all contribute further, by continuing to use the Riser over the next few weeks, where stocks of our favourite beers are to be drunk, until they run out!! So let’s send them off on a high, with a few more pounds in their pockets.
To use Ruth’s words, “now its time for some fun”.
Geoff Virgo
Chair
29th June 2006
We are facing the end of an era. David and Ruth have confirmed that they have come to an arrangement with Young’s for them to leave after the 14th August.
While we have failed to preserve the status quo beyond August, this campaign has bought precious time and given strength to Dave and Ruth’s negotiations. Please be aware that all your efforts and support have been vital in securing acceptable terms for the Roberts.
The loss of Dave and Ruth will obviously mean a sea change in the pub. Many of you may choose to vote with your feet, but I hope that many continue to support the ideals we have shared at the Riser in recent years and wish to continue to call for choice and an inclusive welcome under the new management.
We must remember that the local residents will have to live with the results of whatever Young’s bring to the Riser and it surely remains in our interests as local drinkers for the pub to be as good as possible.
The STR campaign remains a force to observe and comment on the transition to a Young’s tied house, and to ensure that assurances given to retain the character of the Riser, are acted upon.
Tom Hutchings, Young’s manager of tenanted houses, has spoken with us, suggesting a meeting to discuss our concerns, and to introduce the Tenants they have in mind for the pub. Whilst we have been alienated by Young’s actions, my feeling is that the new tenants must be given an opportunity, as individuals, to be judged on their own merits by their new community.
This meeting recognises the stake that you all have in this pub and provides an opportunity to influence its future. Whilst we may not be able to change the “big” things that would continue to attract us to the pub as customers, it may well be the “little” things that make the pub easier to live with.
We are currently considering a short wish list and would welcome your thoughts, providing they are printable!
It goes without saying that we wish David and Ruth a happy and healthy future. We can all contribute further, by continuing to use the Riser over the next few weeks, where stocks of our favourite beers are to be drunk, until they run out!! So let’s send them off on a high, with a few more pounds in their pockets.
To use Ruth’s words, “now its time for some fun”.
Geoff Virgo
Chair
29th June 2006
2 Comments:
Geoff whilst I applaud your effrots I would say that the only way to stand up to these big insensitive companies (and its a great shame that Young's have joined their ranks, and not just over this incident) is to actively campaignh aginsit them. Are there enough ciustomers prepared to boycott the pub, picket the place with placards, leaflets etc urging customers not to drink there, until they are faced with retreat? The big advantage ytou have with an approach of this kind is that the pub is not on a main thoroughfare and therefore will have very little casual passing trade. Young's depend upon the likes of you to make their profits from the pub. Don't give them what they want- I think a direct action approach could beat them off, and gain alot of good publoicity in the process.
Bob Steel- occasional visitor, Carshalton
I have to agree with the anonymous poster; Young's has shown absolutely zero flexibility in meeting the requests of the patrons of the Riser, thus I see no reason to make any conciliatory actions such as attending any meetings with the new tenants, or purchasing their products (from any location).
Maybe when they find that their investment in the Riser is a huge financial looser due to a lack of customers, they will become a bit more flexible; because in the end, their decisions are simply financially based, and no meetings, petitions, or protests will matter a whit if people patronize the pub after they have assumed control.
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