Forum Topic

THE CROWN CHR  CEASED TRADING!

Had booked to eat at The Crown this evening and received this email  late last night!Dear guest, Thank you for your email. Please, note that The Crown, Chiswick has been permanently closed.  Due to the current nature of the business, the decision to close with immediate effect has been made by the owners. As a consequence, all our hospitality services have been suspended for good. We are no longer working at The Crown. Your emails or messages won’t be read and won’t be forwarded.  The full team has been made redundant. As laid off employees, they are exempt of any responsibility in relation to the Company. We appreciate your understanding and wish you the best in your future. Best, The Crown.

Richard Bryson ● 339d47 Comments

The Onus firmly being on the pubs for us to want to use them - something which The Crown (& select others) failed in.

Richard Schofield ● 306d

In the last century or so Chiswick has lost 27 pubs according to the closedpubs.co.uk website.  Use them or lose them!

Paul Charlton ● 307d

I've nothing against Michelin-starred gastropubs but any town centre does need some pubs where people can meet for a drink without needing a second mortgage. Maybe hopes for a Spoons were a bit optimistic but the seven pound a pint establishments are set to become the norm not the exception.

Mark Evans ● 307d

I liked Carvossos and miss it very much and felt The Crown was a huge disappointment. However, I don't think The Hound, which now looks set to open in July, will be anything like it. It will probably be more up market and more slick than Carvossos judging by the other pubs in the chain. It might be a bit too pricey to become the regular watering hole for some locals and may get a lot of its customers from outside the area.

Felicity Caborn ● 311d

Carvosso had an excellent vibe, they achieved an excellent balance between drinks and food. The crown completely killed the atmosphere it was the wrong formula for the CHR. Let’s hope the new guys get it right there is business to be had if they do. Staffing is important too, they need a personality 😂😂😂 and to work 😂😂😂

Jayne Thorburn ● 313d

I and friends miss Carvossos.Even sitting in the stylish Cells!

Jim Lawes ● 313d

JKS have now confirmed this story and said the new pub/restaurant is to be called 'The Hound'. No indication as to whether they will just take over the venue as is or redo the premises to their liking.

Felicity Caborn ● 313d

If they get the formula right it will thrive  Carvosso is truly missed

Jayne Thorburn ● 315d

I take your point on Empire House. A good mix of residential and commercial has to be welcomed.The NIMBY cabal who "successfully" held up progress of the development need to reflect on the negative impact their actions have had.

Adrian Irving ● 315d

Chiswick seems fairly vibrant in the evening at the moment and, with interest rates falling, trade may be on the up. A new high quality pub/restaurant will bring more customers to the area as well as more competition.The A3 units changing hands are mainly on the western section passed the Acton Lane junction which has always struggled. The completition of the Empire House development, hopefully with good tenants on the retail units, might revive this area.The main challenge for hospitality at the moment is the new visa rules that makes it very difficult to get staff. The Italians might end up with no Italians working for it as a result.

Francis Rowe ● 315d

I hope it really works as well.Not that I am likely to be a customer but I am concerned that our High Road is over dependent on the hospitality business.Despite a good number of A3 units changing hands more often than before,overall the trade seems to have just about held up  during very challenging conditions. For how much longer is the worry.

Adrian Irving ● 316d

Some more interesting detail in the newsletter this morning although no 100% confirmation this is happening.This is a really great spot and its important for Chiswick that it works. Although a very upmarket pub might not be what every one wants, it will bring prestige and more people to the area. I'd never heard of JKS before even though I have eaten in some of their restaurants but the consistency of excellence across a range of different cuisines is hard to argue with. Lots of reasons to be optimisic about this takeover at the moment in my view.

Felicity Caborn ● 316d

I should have added "change the name", I was disappointed when "The Chiswick Harlot" was dropped. Have an extended Happy Cocktail Hour, proper ones, undiluted please.Chiswick is wealthy, go for it.

Denis Ian Fox ● 319d

Oh, and have a TV, only for 6 Nations rugby.

Denis Ian Fox ● 319d

Paul Carvosso's style and interior design was a delight.I'm very sad that it closed down ...but happy that it happened.Remember his Pissarros Wine Bar on Kew Green? Once again style and success achieved.The CROWN on Chiswick High Road ruined the site.

Jim Lawes ● 319d

Needs to be bar that sells food rather than the other way round

Jayne Thorburn ● 319d

Chiswick is an up market area, Carvosso’s did brilliantly they found the middle ground, good luck let’s hope it is a great success that we can all enjoy

Jayne Thorburn ● 319d

Ok,thanks Looks a done deal

Julian Pavey ● 319d

This came from the main hospitality industry daily newsletter at http://www.propelinfo.com/pi-Newsletter-thu.php?datetime=20240411080000

Paul Charlton ● 319d

"JKS Partners is reportedly set to take on The Crown." I was told someone very local was interested and possibly in talks. So i would put anything on hold until anything is official. Reportedly could be from the man next door who got told by a milkman in chipping norton,that is unless PC can point to where this has come from. Im not sure myself an upmarket place is going to do that well if indeed that is the official goal.

Julian Pavey ● 319d

I can't publish what my mother would have said.

Adrian Irving ● 319d

What would my old man have said about this.? One police station turned into a place for social climbers the other into a retirement home.Probably something along the lines "Good God, what has the world come to?".Anyway, aren't we luck , possibly, only possibility we will get a police pod.....visit by appointment only and then the other side of a glass wall.

Adrian Irving ● 319d

Thanks Paul. It'll be a disappointment to Spoons fans as this looks like a very upmarket chain which also owns Michelin starred restaurants. The George in Fitzrovia charges £6.8 for a pint of Guinness and £7 for lager.

Mark Evans ● 319d

Sounds good! It seems to be remarkably easy to attract new investors to the retail and hospitality scene in Chiswick despite the Council’s attempts to destroy the area with a cycle lane, a couple of new LTNs, the Sunday markets in Ye Olde Car Park and some electric vehicle charging bays. They must try harder.

Paul Campbell ● 319d

JKS Partners is reportedly set to take on The Crown. They already operate two other venues, the George in Fitzrovia and the Cadogan Arms in Chelsea, both upmarket venues. Both pubs were refurbed by JKS to a very high standard. For descriptions see WhatPub.com

Paul Charlton ● 319d

I was having this conversation last night with a friend and completely agree. Bring on a Spoons. I paid over £7 for a pint of Peroni in the Roebuck last night and it was average.

David Powers ● 334d

Agreed. I only went once and it was awful.

David Powers ● 334d

I was taken there as a treat by my family about a year ago and found it a bit disappointing. Although I wasn't paying, I could see by the menu it was expensive and the food that was served definitely wasn't worth it. The staff seemed tired and unhappy. It is obviously sad to see people lose their jobs but , as I never confessed that I was underwhelmed by the meal, I am relieved I won't be taken back there!

Diane Brown ● 335d

Jayne, I think your hunch is right. Historically there has been a lot of crossover between the directors of Harcourt Inns and South West Leisure. Other pubs in the group also seem to have closed and, looking at the company structure, the chances are that the purchase of the freehold was made through South West Leisure and the hospitality operation was in Harcourt Inns meaning that creditors had no claim on the buildings when the company went into liquidation. If that is correct South West Leisure have three pub sites they probably overpaid for - having aquired them just before Covid. They will need to find new tenants that will help them cover any financing costs.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 337d

So who owns south west leisure ltd? It could be the same group so the business pays rent to the owner effectively, I don’t know. Rent, rates, business loans on the CHR will need a thriving business to cover basic costs before staff, stock etc.

Jayne Thorburn ● 338d

The Land Registry shows the freehold of 210 Chiswick High Road held by South West Leisure Limited so Harcourt may have been leasing. Also the Harcourt pub/restaurant in Marylebone now reports itself "temporarily closed".

Paul Charlton ● 338d

Nope because he has no issue with staff. Infact yesterday he said his staffing is full in a interview with nick ferrari and has no problem getting staff Nice try tho

Julian Pavey ● 338d

So Tim Martin one of the big cheer leaders for leaving the EU has had brexit come back to bite him on the arse.

David Burke ● 338d

I wouldn't necessarily be averse to a Spoons at this site as the cost of getting a drink on Chiswick High Road is shocking. However, the chance of Tim Martin riding to the rescue is very limited - he has been trying to offload quite a bit of his estate including the closest pub to Chiswick - the Plough and Harrow in Hammersmith. He has said the main challenge he faces is a lack of staff but is hoping that the government will relax the rules on immigration so he can keep his pubs open.

Mark Evans ● 338d

Great location, great building, beautiful front room, lovely summery forecourt and adjoining indoor restaurant.The only trouble was, the management and staff (with a few exceptions) never fitted the bill.I should add that I am extremely sorry for those staff who were loyal and may now be out of pocket and are redundant. There must be a corporation and a budding Tim Martin out there to take over and make this wonderful building vibrant and loved again by Chiswickians.

Denis Ian Fox ● 339d

Agreed Richard. Carvossos had real style...except for the food sometimes.

Jim Lawes ● 339d

It went downhill the day it opened as the crown,its that simple in my view. I stopped going after one visit and i know people who used carvosos all the time and went to the crown once never ever to return.

Julian Pavey ● 339d

The story is truehttps://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=leisure&page=carvossorelaunched001.htmPerhaps more significant though was the departure of Henry Harris from the operation. He lives locally and oversaw food for the Soho House group. He was involved in the early stages of the new venture but I think left fairly quickly.

Anita Blake ● 339d

Several years ago I heard that they used market research to investigate two possible names, one was the Crown and the other was the Harlot.  It seemed to me that the Harlot was a wonderful name, local obviously, with aspects from Hogarth but also fun, playful and above all imaginative and a bit naughty.  That they chose the dull name of the Crown seemed to me to be utterly unimaginative and timid. A name to be found on every suburban high street. Whether this story istrue I don't know but I felt at the time that such an unimaginative choice did not bode well for it's future

Timothy Reid ● 339d

Carvossos was packed most evenings and at the weekend. My view the crown refurb wasn’t great the bar area was huge so a lot of floor space taken up for those that just wanted a drink. Atmosphere wasn’t great either although the patio area should be a goldmine. It was the wrong concept needs to be a bar that offers food rather than focus on food. Margins are huge on booze as well. Finding and retaining excellent chefs is a tough one so if food focussed then need to find the right type of balanced price/menu. If they had large loans interest rate hike will kill any small business.

Jayne Thorburn ● 339d

Seeds were sown long before it was put up for sale. Staff, with few exceptions, were routinely disengaged not helped by ineffectual Management.Come back Carvosso's!

Richard Schofield ● 339d

I suggest you take a walk down the High Road on a weekend Steve, the pavements are packed.  Businesses everywhere are finding it difficult because of staff shortages and increased costs.  The odd thing is that there doesn't seem to be any hint about the closure on the internet.

Nora Watkins ● 339d

Footfall in CHR radically decreased due to cycle lanes. Businesses cannot operate successfully with reduced levels of customers.

Steve Taylor ● 339d

Good ol' lockdowns..

Michael Brown ● 339d

Who was the owner?There is news from 2022 that the owner, Harcourt Inns group, put The Crown and 2 of their other properties up for sale but I couldn't find if the sale went through and if so, who bought it.https://www.thecaterer.com/news/harcourt-inns-pubs-sale-henry-harris

Michael Robinson ● 339d

There seems to be a degree of bitterness in that email!I had heard rumblings a while back about non-payment of staff. Apparently the company that refurbished it was very highly leveraged.The location has great potential to be a landmark venue for Chiswick so I hope someone other than a chain takes it on.

Felicity Caborn ● 339d

Wow!

N V Brooks ● 339d