EXCLUSIVE: “WE WANT EVERYONE BACK,” SAYS NEW MANAGER OF BUILDERS ARMS
The excited new manager of the recently-acquired Builders Arms pub in Teddington has told of his vision to put the popular pub ‘back at the heart’ of the community.
Barry Wilson, who will live on the premises, told Teddington Town in his first interview: “We want to get everyone back.
“All the Builders regulars are scattered around, occasionally using other pubs but some not going out at all and we want to welcome everyone back.”
The pub, in Field Lane, closed over two years ago and at one stage a local consortium of regulars considered putting a bid together to save the popular pub but a local businessman secured the purchase in the last week, guaranteeing a future for the pub which dates back to 1869.
In the Teddington Society Survey of the 1970s, Mrs. E. Pilborough described the building as “2-storey, plaster on upper floors & red glazed tiles on ground floor walls, tiled roof with dentils along eaves, sash windows with shutters on upper floors.
“Yes it’s a pub, and a proper local pub at that. That’s not to say its unwelcoming, but it has a character – something missing in so many high street or chain pubs these days.
“You do need to turn off the High Street to find The Builders but it’s worth it. The service is friendly and the pub has real character – a good British family pub, with a lovely open fire in the winter months and they even turn the sport off the TVs during dining – many pubs could learn from that! If you like your roast dinner like your mother made, but you don’t have the time or inclination to do it at home, The Builders is the place to head for.”
Liverpool-born Barry will run the pub as a community ‘local pub’ where the patrons can come and have a drink and relax in a welcoming environment.
‘We think there is a gap in the market for a return to the more traditional pub, which The Builders used to be a great example of.
“So we won’t be a gastro style pub, of which there are many locally, but will provide traditional bar snacks as well as offering a variety of ales, possibly including local breweries and a wide range of wines.”
The TV screens will continue to offer live sport, especially rugby, which was always popular with the locals, and the dart board will still be available in the ‘saloon’ area but there will also be a separate section without screens.
“I have been working at the pub most days and left the front door open so people can drop in to see what’s going on and I have been amazed at the levels of interest and excitement about the pub reopening.
“Lots of new and younger people seemed to have moved into the area in the time the pub has been shut,” said Barry.
“The Builders has always been a traditional pub and its geographical position puts it really at the heart of the community.
“We’ve got plenty of work to do, upgrading the interior, the toilets and extending the garden but we want to keep the unique atmosphere of the old pub too.”
Barry moved from Liverpool to Teddington about nine years ago and will live in the three-bedroomed accommodation above the pub with his cockapoo, Phoebe.
“I love this area and I love the pub and the people. I only lived 50 metres away in Gomer Place and when I was new here the pub was my own way of getting to know people and the area.
“Everyone has been so friendly and supportive that I think that together with our customers we will make a great success of it.”
The aim is to reopen the pub in time for the annual and traditional Teddington Lights Up event on November 28th.
“I am expecting a busy night on our opening night,” added Barry.