please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Was on rare night out in colchester with four other guys all reasonably smartly dressed and all middle aged. Wanted to see what they had done to the Stockwell Arms and have a nice pint. What a great job they have done rebuilding it, looks superb. Walked in, small bar just inside the door with Doombar only ale on. asked if there were others anywhere else ( as they had been advertising that they would be stocking local beers) Barman gestured towards the back of the pub. Happy days! there on a stillage and being served via gravity were seven casks of beer. Oh, no-one behind the bar except the chef/kp who was using it for storage. Whilst several staff were cleaning and polishing, no-one seemed to want to serve us, nor talk to us. The management team were having a meeting three feet away and also ignored us. It looks like they don't want drinkers in the pub, only diners.
I don't think that any of us will ever return to this "pub", at least three of us would have brought our partners or maybe some clients in to eat had the experience been better.
There are plenty of good pubs in Colchester now which serve good beer from both local and far-off breweries and which are getting it right in terms of customer service, this sadly is not one of them.
|
Well it's not open yet and doesn't look like it will be for a while. Walked past and lots and lots of work still to do. At least work is going on, though.
|
Brilliant that this pub is going to be back on the Colchester scene after three years of renovations. Opens in September 2012 after delays caused by resident complaints over size of new build. Man - get a life why live next to a pub if you do not want a pub that is viable!
I have seen inside - I cannot believe that it is the same old sleepy place we went to for abuse from the old unfriendly landlord who was really inconvenienced every time you ask for a pint!
I cannot wait for to to reopen - 15 ales at any one time so I am told
|
The Stockwell is now undergoing a total refurbishment to the point where the outer walls have been stripped back to the laths and the inside has been gutted. I have heard several rumours about what it is going to be. Watch this space.
|
Oh dear, this is now closed again. Admiral have now .......................................................and Paul & Sue are no longer here. It is currently closed with black bin liners covering the windows. it states that security are currently monitoring the pub and gives a telephone number. I understand from a friend who lives close by that a temporary manager may run the pub shortly and re-open it. This is until new permanent licencees are found to run it. This surely must be in an area to be a viable pub again. It is only about a minutes walk from the High Street with BT and other businesses close by.
|
I know who 'Love_Good_Ale' is !! I'll try and bring him along pre-Colchester vs Scunny this Saturday !!!
|
dear love gud ale - yep i think your cover blown cos im sure u in the other nite - pauls offer to you and your mate there for u next time u in - new ale on fri -
|
hi love gud ale - if u were in the pub wed lunchtime 08oct then your cover blown - if it wasnt u then i got no idea who u are - oh and the sausage night is sat 18oct - its all free and u get to taste a wide range of diff sausages - its a fun nite so all welcome
|
PS ... iknowbest ... sausage night is coming October , think it is a saturday , will try to remember to confirm on here.
PS EVERYONE.... can now join Stockwell Arms On Facebook
|
Aww Love-good-Ale.. the TV was pretty much there for the football but yes ...it is my pet hate too.. the only Home n Away.. i watch is the football ;)
Still we live n learn, The Ale prices was set as a result of a few CAMRA members suggesting we keep the price as steady as the temperature, about 6 months ago now, and as you know we do regularly bring in a new Guest Ale, just very disappointed that not too many from CAMRA venture to our part of the world too often, which obviously makes life harder when trying to retain 3 Ale pumps.
The food is wonderful , we have a few items on the menu that regulary sell out now which is great and Sundays are doing much better than even we had hoped for.
We have plenty of scope for suggestions , particularly in the run up too Xmas etc, SO FEEL FREE ...
ps.. cover blown ? nah i still havent the foggiest who you are ;)
Steve
|
at long last the kitchen is finished and open - we offer a wide range of food ranging from sandwiches, snacks to chillis, sweets & sour, curry, pies and much much more - most dishes are home made using fresh ingredients and we offer a vast vegetarian range including chilli, sweet & sour, curry , veggie burgers, nut roasts. We also think our sunday roasts and the best in town and at �,5,95 worth a try
|
I understand my cover is now blown at this pub. I will not be happy if my mate grassed on me last night. Good to see another guest, White Horse Village Idiot. The temperature of the beer was also better. Good to see your kitchen is now open and that you are now advertising Sunday Roasts again. This pub and The Odd One Out are now the most reasonably priced pubs in Colchester exl Netherspoons. All ales here are �2.50 a pint which is very good. Also good to see that the sound was off the TV tonight.
|
fair enough. point taken. sausage night here we come.................!
|
""but im sure the new owners will find out for themselfs soon enough, but the pubs definately back on track."" ...
*nods* some of your comments may be true 'iknowbest', however the stockwell has had a second chance so perhaps its previous regulars should be given the same chance.. fear not the pub is much bigger than any one person!...
We have a whole raft of new features incoming.. the latest is the return of the sausage night , now this is not to be missed!! i assure you.
Steve
|
after living in the dutch quarter for 5 years and spending a lot of time in the stockwell,i wasnt surprised it closed down. the beer was awfull(i had bottled beer), and in the end no-one went there, including myself, as old brian was clearly losing his marbles. I have since moved from the area compltetely and was happy to hear it had re-opened.i visited recently and it looks fantastic. the beers are soooo much better and the dutch quarter now has its pub back.was slightly saddened some OLD faces were back like dave whyte, as they will only put people off in the long run, but im sure the new owners will find out for themself soon enough, but the pubs definately back on track.
|
You certainly keep a close eye on BITE Steve! I take it you get e-mail updates if someone makes a comment?
I look forward to seeing St Austell - Tribute. I am sure if you vary the pumps about a bit, more ale drinkers will use. It is good to keep the punters guessing, it makes going to the pub more of an adventure.
|
Haha Love_good_ale , nice to see you enjoyed our change from the norm, you must have enjoyed the Devils Dyke too much though, whilst yes we do have a number of chairs and tables in the garden i wouldnt go as far as to say its finished....still keep drinking it we will be bringing the regular ones back soon...although i think we have Tribute to come first..
Many thanks for the reference to a community pub, thats exactly the type of comment we are aiming for, the pub is still improving slowly in many areas and i hope you see the benefits of more changes soon, for example the kitchen is due to re-open in a matter of weeks and hopefully lunchtime trade demand may well mean the arrival of another Ale for you to try.
Steve
|
Yes indeed, Brentwood Brewery's Devils Dyke was rather tasty and a very reasonable �2.50 a pint. Good to see a change from the usual selection and an Essex brewer. The pub is friendly and seems quite a community local. The garden is now finished and has tables and chairs to use.
|
our current guest ale is - Devils Dyke
|
at long last the roof is nearly done - the scaffold is down and the last finishing touches are being done this week - the kitchen is nearly completed and the garden will be started on as soon the the weather makes its mind up wot its doing - so after at least 20 skips now we shud be fully operational by june - new menus are done and the long awaited sunday lunches shud be on sale by may - watch this space haha
|
Beer update :
The Guest beer is currently "Broadside" this has replaced Speckled Hen.
Steve
|
Just thought i would pop on here and say thanks to a number of reviewers that have appeared over the weeks on various sites saying what an improvement the Stockwell Arms has undergone...thankyou All !!
Just a Small update on some work still going on. Firstly the Kitchen is taking shape and should open start of March (hopefully before)
The roofers are apparently nearing completion on the top roof, they are waiting for a big steel beam to be placed in the roof so that they can finish off. This will mean the rear lower level roofs can be started , this will enable us to remove the scaffolding in the downstairs pub corridoor , replace the carpet and finish the back areas off.
The rear gardens and side carpark remain a spring/summer project and it should be exciting watching these ideas take shape !
Steve
|
I have now made a couple of visits since the opening on the 20/12/07. I wanted to pay a couple of visits before I posted a review.
A lot of work has taken place since the closure. A new bar has been put in and I am very pleased to say that 3 hand pumped ales are available. Currently Fullers 'London Pride',Adnams 'Best' and GK's 'Speckled Hen' are available. Although hardly an adventurous choice I understand that the tenants are restricted by Admiral Taverns. I was told by the landlord that the pump with 'Speckled Hen' will be the guest pump. I am pleased to see that the sparklers previously attached are now removed from the hand pumps.
The dartboard has been moved to the upper level on the right. All the old tired seating has been removed from both the upper level and the main bar seating area. New tables and chairs are now available in both these areas now. A large screen TV showing a well known Satellite Sports Channel was available whilst all the football was being played.
The lower level to the left has two comfortable sofas� and a couple of tables and chairs.
A good refurb and another great addition to the town. I think the pub is already doing very well and already seems to be well supported.
|
Hi Love_good_ale
We open Thursday evening if your about call in ,i hope you notice the difference.
Steve,
|
Hi,
Well we had a few problems with the rear scaffolding and it has stopped us opening now for about a week and has put us behind.
I think we have got to the stage now where 12 skips of rubbish and 7 weeks of learning how to paint means we need to get open sooner rather than later.
I expect us to open the Stockwell in stages, Bar area and toilets will be first, that will enable us to remove and replace the kitchen..hopefully for the new year, once the scaffolders have disappeared that is.
We have a major brewery upgrade going on to the external of the building and have already been told thats not likely to start to the new year , so i think the back end of Week ending 21st December we will open and let the area have their pub back.
Merry Xmas ..all
Steve
|
I passed earlier today and noticed the scaffolding round the outside. I could see work being completed inside but couldn't help having a nose.
I can see things are now coming together inside.
Do you think you will be open before Christmas Steve?
|
No "Love_good_ale" not much to report just yet, the brewery have chosen an external colour scheme which looks pretty stunning, but work at the moment is concentrating on the rear of the pub where we have a few issues to resolve.
I think we are up to our 6th skip load of rubbish already, and we are still not finished.
There is still a lot to do internally and externally although it is taking shape slowly we hope to have news shortly.
Steve
|
Any news on the re-opening date Steve?
|
Steve, good luck. The Stockwell was a really nice pub and it's good to hear that it's not about to become flats.
|
It may interest you to know that the rumour is very true, we collected the keys this week and i think maybe yes... "tired" is the word i would have used.
It is sad when original timbers and interior plaster has been left to its own devices, we fully intend to return as much as possible back to its former glory although the side and rear garden areas will have to wait a few weeks longer as short term we are hoping to get the main areas finished and open as fast as we can.
The pictures on the walls show that the public house had a great affection with a few groups in the town, namely the guide dogs , ramblers assoc., cyclists and ghost tours, we fully intend to maintain this tradition.
However the above named groups cannot alone support a pub and it may interest some of you to know that we will be improving food facilities and aiming for the copious lunchtime trade that passes during the day.
"real ale" will be maintained and yes evening Darts will be brought in and moved to a more suitable location inside.
We are hoping to provide satelite TV, and modern sound system to attempt to bring the pub to life once again, but this is subject to us gaining all the necessary approvals.
We also recognise that we need our community pub to co-exist peacefully with the our neighbours and that hopefully new local ties can be formed and developed and that we can return the stockwell back to the hub of the community.
I will call in here as often as i can to update you all and i hope you will once again see us in the GBG.
Steve
|
I hear that this may have a new tenant soon. Rumours are that the owners are going to improve the tired interior.
|
Currently closed with lease for sale. It's a lovely pub in a fantastic location, but as previous reviewers have commented it has been sadly neglected of late. Hopefully someone will take it over and invest in restoring it to its former glory, but given current trends in the industry I wouldn't bet on it.
|
Such a shame to see a Lovely Old Pub Neglected in this way. I expect cr*p beer when i go to an "Edwards" or "Yates" type establishment - but not from a 'former' regular GBG entry.
I don't necessarily want the "red carpet" treatment - but neither do I want to see it floating in my beer!!
Suffice to say it hasn't been selected for the 2007 guide.
|
I think there have been other complaints and I hear that it won't be in the 2007 GBG.
|
Sadly I have to agree with Biggles's comments. I popped in during the Friday lunch break at the cricket. It looks a lovely old pub in an ancient residential backstreet, the array of Nethergate beers (one of my favourite brewers) on offer made my eyes light up; but my pint of Umbel can only be decribed as "disgusting", with all sorts of crap floating around in it. I asked for it to be changed for a pint of the seasonal Lemon Head, which was drinkable but hazy in appearance and not good enough to tempt me into another even if I'd had time to stay longer.
This pub should have no place in the GBG.
|
No, I don't think much has changed, anonymous, it's still neglected and so is the beer. Especially the beer.
It was even quiet today, and it was one of the nearest pubs to the Essex County cricket match.
The landlord doesn't seem to care whether he serves a poor pint or not and the bar staff today didn't even seem to know whether he had or not, never mind care.
Today was the day I gave it 'one more chance' to see if it had improved over the last few years, and it was still as bad.
How this place gets in the GBG, I really have no idea.
|
Perhaps a lot's changed here in the last year. When I visited, I was 1 of only 2 punters (and when I left I was the last one). The pub had a bit of a sense of neglect throughout, as if things hadn't been looked at in a long time. Not that that's always a bad thing of course, but here it just meant a dismal, somewhat smelly experience. The pint I had certainly suffered from them not getting through the barrel quickly enough and from not having clean pipes. Pretty unforgiveable stuff in any pub that cares about it's beer.
anonymous - 25 Jul 2006 13:51 |
Rivals the Odd One Out for best pub in Colchester. Quiet, pleasant, does Sunday roasts (as well as organised walks around Essex), good pint of Deuchars IPA and generally somewhere to relax.
|
A proper pub with decent ale. A good gaff to spend some quality time in with mates.
|
Old world. Loads of brass. Darts board. Nicely placed in Dutch Quarter.
Good for quiet drink which turns into a sesh.
james - 29 Jan 2004 12:04 |
