'My £50,000 refit has kept punters away'

11:00am Thursday 27th September 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Helen Perkins, Reporter

A PUB boss fears a £50,000 refurbishment has driven his customers away.

Ken Pritchard said punters had abandoned The Lancastrian, in Ulverston, after he gave the pub a major makeover.

Mr Pritchard said the pub on Mountbarrow Road had undergone a ‘characterful restoration’.

Upgrades have included a gold and beige patterned restaurant and a striped lime green and silver sports bar.

Walls across the 83-seat venue have been filled with his hand-picked items, including wrought iron jazz instruments, large red fish ornaments, multi-coloured lighting, flower arrangements, printed landscapes and framed black and white photography.

He has also added a disco ball, modern silver chandeliers and faux candlelights to the restaurant to ‘give it a cosy and relaxed feel’.

Mr Pritchard said he felt ‘snubbed’ after Sunday customer numbers dropped from 160 to 60 and weekday lunch trade fell to as low as 12 customers a day.

The former owner of The Friars Hotel, in Ulverston, said his efforts had ‘sent shockwaves through the town’.

“People come through and their jaws drop,” he said. “We’ve changed the whole business.”

“It used to be dated and it just catered for pensioners.

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“The redecoration has been my passion.

“To me there’s nothing to dislike here. It’s got lots of features in it and it’s relaxed.

“We offer deals like two meals for £6.95 at lunch.

“We’ve even looked at bingo afternoons to keep older ones happy.

“I think people don’t like change. I hoped people would adapt.”

Mr Pritchard said he was currently losing money, and was worried about the future for the business, which employs four staff.

“I’m quite disheartened,” he said. “I don’t know how long we can keep it going.”

Meanwhile, nearby residents said they were dining elsewhere.

Nuclear engineer Peter Meadowcroft, of Ulverston, said he used to eat at The Lancastrian on a Sunday but had not visited in recent weeks.

He said he ‘wasn’t keen’ on the new iron features in the front garden.

Carol Lamb, 45, of Ulverston, said she used to visit the pub but had not been back since the refurbishment.

Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said she found the changes ‘garish’.

Comments(21)

Milkbutnosugarplease says...
3:18pm Thu 27 Sep 12

Can we have a photo of these 'garish' ornaments that sound very funny? It sounds like a load of crappy stuff from Matalan but you never know...it could be worse.

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onelocal says...
6:08pm Thu 27 Sep 12

In the WG this week. Awful!

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Lakeuk says...
6:53pm Thu 27 Sep 12

Sounds like they failed to understand their current customer base and research on what potential new customers would be interested in.

Common problem with alot of new Landlords, happened to so many pubs in Kendal, many now closed

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Helvellyn55 says...
11:12am Fri 28 Sep 12

Clearly ill-researched changes which reflects badly on the landlord. However why is he bleating now - is he expecting a hand out? Or, maybe he hopes to attract people to see how unbelievably bad it is.

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mrs L of croftlands estate says...
12:22pm Fri 28 Sep 12

I am a regular at the Lancastrian i think the comments are very harsh what the lads have done to the place have transformed it i think its really nice and not tacky there is a lot of people on Croftlands that should support it and don't if it had to shut down they will be the first ones to complain we have had some really good nights there and hope there's more to come the lads are lovely and great to get on with why don't you all just give them a chance instead of slagging them off if you visit the pub you will not be disappointed the pub is decorated excellent they have done all the work themselves so does that not tell you how dedicated they are and as for the comment that the wrought iron outside whats that got to do with the inside of the pub it was full of flowers but the wind on Croftlands has blown them to bits and the railings stop the kinds running out on the road so give them a chance an pop in you will be most welcome.

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monty mouse says...
12:58pm Fri 28 Sep 12

If it ain't broke dont fix it.

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zaney5 says...
1:14pm Fri 28 Sep 12

Let me get this straight... Landlord spents thousands on redecorating pub (although, by the sounds of it, redecorating is a very loose term), customers are less than impressed ad giving the place a wide berth, landlord is now whinging cos his plans haven't gone the way he hoped. Is this really a news worthy item or a half arsed attempt at drumming up a bit of publicity.
The description alone is enough to make me never set foot inside the place!
Suck it up fella, and whatever you do, don't change your career to interior decorating!

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roundtheedges says...
3:02pm Fri 28 Sep 12

I was struck by how petty the deserting customers sound if new decor was their reason for no longer patronizing the pub. Surely a light, bright and clean room is preferable to the dark, dirty atmosphere and wobbly, defaced chairs and tables that prevailed prior to the refurbishment.
For me, good food that is well cooked, friendly service and value for money rank as higher priorities than decor that is not to my personal taste when deciding where to spend my hard earned money.
I wonder how many of those commenting , here and in the article, have actually eaten in the pub since redecoration.
Perhaps we should be less judgemental and give credit to those who do their best to provide good service to customers.

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HowyLA12 says...
3:17pm Fri 28 Sep 12

I never set foot in the place till recently due to a disagreement with a previous landlord and I am 'gobsmacked' at the great improvement to the decor. It is modern, homely, and clean. There are new chandeliers, tables, chairs, cutlery and wall art. Gone are the sticky, rickety tables and cheap knives and forks. Oh and the food is good at reasonable prices. I would like to welcome you to Ulverston, Keep up the good work

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mrs L of croftlands estate says...
3:59pm Fri 28 Sep 12

roundtheedges wrote:
I was struck by how petty the deserting customers sound if new decor was their reason for no longer patronizing the pub. Surely a light, bright and clean room is preferable to the dark, dirty atmosphere and wobbly, defaced chairs and tables that prevailed prior to the refurbishment.
For me, good food that is well cooked, friendly service and value for money rank as higher priorities than decor that is not to my personal taste when deciding where to spend my hard earned money.
I wonder how many of those commenting , here and in the article, have actually eaten in the pub since redecoration.
Perhaps we should be less judgemental and give credit to those who do their best to provide good service to customers.
well said!

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mrs L of croftlands estate says...
4:00pm Fri 28 Sep 12

Milkbutnosugarplease wrote:
Can we have a photo of these 'garish' ornaments that sound very funny? It sounds like a load of crappy stuff from Matalan but you never know...it could be worse.
why not go in yourself instead of asking for photo's

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mrs L of croftlands estate says...
4:03pm Fri 28 Sep 12

monty mouse wrote:
If it ain't broke dont fix it.
it certainly was broke, never had a lick of paint or decent upgrade in a very long time 100% improvement on how it was.

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Topp66 says...
11:25am Sat 29 Sep 12

I grew up on croftlands but live in Kendal now and am wondering whether it is worth a visit I haven't been in for about 5 years! Do I or don't I ??

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roundtheedges says...
12:20pm Sat 29 Sep 12

Go for it Top66. No comments yet from anyone who has decided to stay away since refurbishment so yours might provide a useful perspective.

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BikerPaul says...
10:23am Sun 30 Sep 12

Sounds good. I'll be giving the pub a visit when I come home from sea next month. Ulveston is a lovely town.

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HowyLA12 says...
10:48am Sun 30 Sep 12

"If it ain't broke dont fix it" Gosh I would not like to see your house! Guess you do not buy new furniture or redecorate if you take that attitude. This is the first major improvement in 10 years at The Lanky!

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Mr Lowes says...
11:04am Sun 30 Sep 12

I regularly go up from Barrow. The decor is superb and they do an awesome Sunday roast as well as other good food of course. Reasonably priced too.

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WIDGETOZZY says...
3:11pm Tue 2 Oct 12

I regularly go up from Barrow. The decor is superb and they do an awesome Sunday roast as well as other good food of course. Reasonably priced too.” Id say this is better than most pubs in barrow & Ulverston & there are alot of em as the staff are always so freindly & welcoming,this is a brilliant place to go.Most of the others are to small,to noisey or just look so depressing, I WILL BE BACK WELL DONE PEEPS KEEP UP GOOD WORK

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Localbuisness says...
3:33pm Fri 5 Oct 12

As a local cumbrain business owner, I have used the newly refurbished premises at the Lancastrian for business lunches. Firstly I would like to say what a terrible report this is of the Lancastrian, red fish!!!! The staff, meals and furnishings are indeed very relaxing and I will be using the Lancastrian again but definitely not using the gazette for advertising. I think what mr Pritchard has done to the Lancastrian should be praised, not condemned, I know on one of my visits he was getting wall mounted tv's in from requests from locals for football etc, the outside of the lancastrian has also been given a facelift with hanging baskets and tastefully fitted railings, offering seatin outside if weather permits. Mr Pritchard should be given a chance and perhaps small narrowered minded people shud stop trying to find fault and try and enjoy life, all I can say is thank goodness I don't live in ulverston, but I do travel from place to place and in my opinion, what on earth are all the negative comments about, really can't find any fault with the place but after reading this report no wonder people have jumped on the negative wagon.

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mrs L of croftlands estate says...
4:19pm Fri 5 Oct 12

Localbuisness wrote:
As a local cumbrain business owner, I have used the newly refurbished premises at the Lancastrian for business lunches. Firstly I would like to say what a terrible report this is of the Lancastrian, red fish!!!! The staff, meals and furnishings are indeed very relaxing and I will be using the Lancastrian again but definitely not using the gazette for advertising. I think what mr Pritchard has done to the Lancastrian should be praised, not condemned, I know on one of my visits he was getting wall mounted tv's in from requests from locals for football etc, the outside of the lancastrian has also been given a facelift with hanging baskets and tastefully fitted railings, offering seatin outside if weather permits. Mr Pritchard should be given a chance and perhaps small narrowered minded people shud stop trying to find fault and try and enjoy life, all I can say is thank goodness I don't live in ulverston, but I do travel from place to place and in my opinion, what on earth are all the negative comments about, really can't find any fault with the place but after reading this report no wonder people have jumped on the negative wagon.
another positive comment about the Lancastrian!
I notice some of the negative comments are from regular people who post comments, I bet they can't wait for the WG to come out just so they can slag people off and cause hurt to people who are genuinely trying to make a difference in this world.
get a life is what I say!!!!!!!

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mrs L of croftlands estate says...
4:19pm Fri 5 Oct 12

Localbuisness wrote:
As a local cumbrain business owner, I have used the newly refurbished premises at the Lancastrian for business lunches. Firstly I would like to say what a terrible report this is of the Lancastrian, red fish!!!! The staff, meals and furnishings are indeed very relaxing and I will be using the Lancastrian again but definitely not using the gazette for advertising. I think what mr Pritchard has done to the Lancastrian should be praised, not condemned, I know on one of my visits he was getting wall mounted tv's in from requests from locals for football etc, the outside of the lancastrian has also been given a facelift with hanging baskets and tastefully fitted railings, offering seatin outside if weather permits. Mr Pritchard should be given a chance and perhaps small narrowered minded people shud stop trying to find fault and try and enjoy life, all I can say is thank goodness I don't live in ulverston, but I do travel from place to place and in my opinion, what on earth are all the negative comments about, really can't find any fault with the place but after reading this report no wonder people have jumped on the negative wagon.
another positive comment about the Lancastrian!
I notice some of the negative comments are from regular people who post comments, I bet they can't wait for the WG to come out just so they can slag people off and cause hurt to people who are genuinely trying to make a difference in this world.
get a life is what I say!!!!!!!

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