Forum Topic

Has the Redback closed down?

Twitter suggests it has.I wonder if it's a case of the last Aussie in Acton turning out the lights.I can't recall what it was before but do wonder what it will be next.Better look out for the lap-dancing club application.

Sara Nathan ● 5334d60 Comments

Their website says closed until further notice with no explanation.

Thea Buchan ● 5333d

good news if it has closed down - as it has caused a lot of problems in the past.  Now hopefully that hideous red paint can go........  Would make a nice cosy cinema.

Dee Cook ● 5333d

Wouldn't that be fab - and Acton Curzon would suit me fine...or a northern branch of Watermans

Sara Nathan ● 5333d

Because of previous problems, police and council put so many conditions on their licence, that made almost impossible to run that place. It was just matter of time before it would close. Shame.With so many clubs in the borough closed recently, does anybody questions economic implications, with so many people loosing their jobs. With Redback now closed, most of the take-aways around it will most probably follow the suit. Angie Bray MP for Ealing says: "Our town centres, especially in constituencies such as Ealing Central and Acton, are essential to the life of the community. Governments can help, local authorities can enable and businesses will drive the regeneration, but local communities must be central to the vision."Sounds very hypocritical to me, but she is a politician after all.

Radomir Grkovic ● 5333d

"Because of previous problems" Doesn't that say it all? Clubs are fine but they have to be properly run and controlled and not have drug dealing on the premises etc (not that I'm saying the Redback ever had that particular problem - I have no idea)Conditions on a licence after previous problems seem a perfectly good way forward. What's the alternative?

Sara Nathan ● 5333d

In the late 70's it was a pub called the White Hart( there is also one of same name a few yards down).It used to have a snooker table if I remember correctly.It was then changed to the Gin Palace and opened late I think.Then it was the Redback.

Keith Iddon ● 5333d

Perhaps the displaced community associations from the Priory Centre could make use of it, should it be available.....and perhaps the Council could obtain it on a cheap lease for them?

Dee Cook ● 5333d

Their bigest problem was people causing nuisance after they would leave the pub, which is hardest to control for any pub/club. Unfortunately police & council don`t want to help, much easier solution for them is to close the place down. I am not connected to Redback in any way, I just had an opportunity to read report when they had license review. More or less, police finds them responsible for every noise disturbance in Acton, even if its hundreds of meters away from the pub.

Radomir Grkovic ● 5333d

Unsurprising given that they had offers of all you could drink in a not very limited time, for about a tenner That's not responsible behaviour is it?

Sara Nathan ● 5333d

Many a great night in there and sad to see it go but hasn't been the same in recent years. That could be age getting to me on my part.Good link being passed about FB todayhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?hl=en&v=tuAmKkZ-FGk&gl=US

D Downey ● 5333d

Sad day for Acton if it has closed for good. Never been but my two boys have. It put Acton on the world wide map and as said by others brought business to cafes/takeaways etc. If you cannot have a big successful pub in a town centre location where can you? Perhaps a victim of stricter visa requirements for Aussies/Kiwis??

Iain Muir ● 5333d

I was amazed when my party-loving 20 year old said he had never been inside.Surely not just for drunken kiwis?

Sara Nathan ● 5333d

Youtube search-Hitler finds out the Redback has closed down.Very funny.

John McNamara ● 5332d

John that did make me chuckle!!

Jen Morty ● 5332d

I've met Aussie travellers in other countries while on holidays and the 'Redback' was a name known to visit in London. Hopefully they can regain their former glory and open again.

Miriam Kerketta ● 5332d

I've never been in the redback , I'm far too old :) but I've lived virtually opposite on willcott for 5 years and have never been affected by any disturbance noise or otherwise from there. Given the rep of some pubs in the borough that seem to have stabbings and shootings every other week, I always thought the Redback was good natured if somewhat boisterous fun?

Milena Vincic ● 5332d

Out of great tragedy comes great art - love the youtube video

Richard Grange ● 5331d

I have been in the Redback once and you are right Milena good boisterous fun,  all good natured. I would have thought having a running business there is better than an empty premises just look at The Town House in Ealing Broadway.

Jen Morty ● 5331d

Isn't it hysterical?

Sara Nathan ● 5328d

?

Jen Morty ● 5328d

Sorry Jen - that was supposed to come up after the posting on Hitler and the Redback closure.But I can never make it pop up reliably where I want it. Can you?

Sara Nathan ● 5328d

Oh I see yes makes sense.  No it's very random whether they will pop up where you want or at the end of the thread!

Jen Morty ● 5328d

asdfasdf

Josh Adams ● 5324d

I just typed a really long reply and it came up with a server error. Can't be bothered to type it all out again.

Josh Adams ● 5324d

This is the second time I have seen subtitles on this particular Hitler scene.  Check out Wightlink on youtube - I think that is even funnier.

Sally Rivlin ● 5324d

It has been dark the last couple of times I've driven past - the first time was a Monday so I thought nothing of it. But that's not true for the most recnet time.You can see that the prosperity might rather depend on the Redback - but it seems jolly quick.

Sara Nathan ● 5324d

I have absolutely no knowledge what Acton police station's precise reasons for requesting that the Redback's licence be withdrawn ... ... (so I say this with caution) ..... but I really hope the reasons were well-grounded.Because at a stroke they have knocked out the Redback itself, and potentially a host of other small businesses selling everything from late-night kebabs to biltong etcAnd with two other pubs already on that junction - it may not be that easy straight-forward finding other tenants.

Richard Grange ● 5324d

The article in the Gazette this week says the closure was NOT down to the withdrawal of the licence - and quotes either the licensing people or the police.But maybe a restriction on the length of hours had the same effect.Also my son wondered if the police or council could have stopped the incredibly cheap drinks. I rather thought not but don't know.

Sara Nathan ● 5324d

I am sorry to see it closed. I am not far off 60 years old but have still enjoyed visits to the Redback several times over the past few years. I used to go when it was the White Hart in the sixties, and I would say there was more trouble in those days! Yes, the Redback was a real spit and sawdust type of place, but the bands were good, the atmosphere was great fun, it really didn't matter who you were or what you wore, and I found that comfortable. My children all went, too, and I was aquainted with the owner and his son, who worked there. The security staff were really on the ball, eagle eyed and the strictest I have ever seen. Best of all, it was a quick walk home, I was happy knowing my children didn't have a long journey back, and if you wanted you could get a lift in the Redback courtesy bus! Big loss for Acton.

Helen Ann Lloyd ● 5324d

My sentiments entirely, Helen.  It seems a great pity.  I have heard the kebab shop's takings have more than halved.  Perhaps the Redback will be knocked down and more flats put up to add to Acton's portfolio of unsold flats.

Maria Pettit ● 5323d

Are the flats unsold?You do wonder at the appetite for building more then.Maybe that's why the Oaks seems to have gone so quiet

Sara Nathan ● 5323d

That fish and chip shop is never open (if you mean the lazy fish bar?), that i've seen. We always go to Chris's which is further away because the one time i've seen that one open and stopped to get something it was awful, like it had been sat there all day, so i wouldnt think its particularly affected by the closure of the Redback. But the kebab/fast food/taxi companies must be. Like times weren't hard enough already.

Milena Vincic ● 5322d

Maybe we could persuade Angela Malik to open a top notch restaurant on that site?!(insert witty Redback related Indian restaurant names here - I failed to think of one except for "Red(back) Indian" which is awful!)

Sarah Harris ● 5321d

Red Pepper?Would be great - though I still prefer a cinema.It's a big place for an Indian isn't it? I know she thought the Albion too small but this must be the other extreme.

Sara Nathan ● 5321d

Always nice to see people find something amusing in the fact that many people lost and will lose their jobs directly, or indirectly, because Redback was forced to shut down.

Radomir Grkovic ● 5321d

I dont think anyone here has expressed amusement at the thought of a local business going down - or the loss of employment.Some people are trying to think up possible alternatives - obviously some ideas will be more light-hearted than others but that doesn't imply any lack of regard for those with troubled prospects.And was it FORCED to shut down anyhow? That seems in some doubt.

Sara Nathan ● 5321d

Radomir, (that's my dads name!) is it definitely closed down for good or is there a chance that a compromise may be reached and they can re-open?

Milena Vincic ● 5321d

Hi Radomir,I think actually most people on this thread (including me) are quite sad to see it go - and concerned about the impact on all the jobs linked to it.If anything I have been impressed by how much affection the Redback has been held in - even by people who have never been inside.

Richard Grange ● 5321d

Well judging by what the council wanted to do with Ginglik in Shepherds Bush (fill it with concrete) instead of let it stay open, I wouldn't be surprised if some unsocial bureaucrat thought they were doing the world some justice by closing it down. The phrase "I'm just doing my job" springs to mind.However I don't know so just speculating. The more worrying thing is this, the less there is to do in West London for younger people means less young people that want to live here. Therefore as a business owner it makes it hard to recruit young talent. It's this reason we are relocating our business out of West London to East London where it seems most of the creative seemed to be. Another empty commercial building in the W3 area. This place does seem to be becoming a residential waste land of flats (unsold) and fast food shops.

Josh Adams ● 5321d

What jobs will be lost apart from those linked to selling cheap food and beer late at night?

Dee Cook ● 5320d

Thanks Dee, you just made my point. Of course those people don`t deserve to be employed, to get wage... Honestly, why their kids must eat every day, or wear new shoes to school... Those low class people don`t need to pay mortgages...in fact why they have to own houses, anyway...I find it embarrassing that none of you people find Dee`s comment distasteful. Does that mean its "them" and "us"? Are we are better then them because we got better jobs and bigger houses?In short, more people on the dole, less money for NHS, for schools, police, etc. So we all suffer at the end, directly, or indirectly.

Radomir Grkovic ● 5318d

I agree Dee's comment was inappropriate but as you can see from the rest of the thread she would appear to be in the minority.

Jen Morty ● 5318d

"I find it embarrassing that none of you people find Dee`s comment distasteful."Ummmm...How do you know that "none of you people" think anything at all?Many posters/lurkers would know that Dee and I (for instance) don't have a single thought in common. But if we each said every time either of us disagreed with each other or found the other's views "distasteful", honestly there'd be room for little else on the forum and the atmosphere would be grim.No-one leapt in to support Dee's views. Some would find that encouraging!

Sara Nathan ● 5318d

Sometimes not condemning something is a sign of approval.That was not any random comment. It was particularly nasty one, which deserved condemnation.According to the article on Ealing Council web site, Redback was employing 50 people, of which 11 were living at the premises. Add to that number of people who lost their jobs when Priory Club in Ealing closed down and at least 10 people who lost their jobs when Council drasticly cut opening hours of CJ`s club in West Ealing (so similary to Redback they decided to remain closed), not to mention "X" number of people who are indirectly afected by this (cab drivers, take aways etc.), you will get alarming number of YOUNG people without work. At the same time MP Angie Bray is writing about how she wants to help local businesses prosper and how she wants to help young people find work. Well, you are doing "great" job Angie! Well done!

Radomir Grkovic ● 5316d

i am surprised people are happy it has closed. i dont think it was a serious problem. a lot of happy young people. not now. and now acton has yet another empty building.congratulations ealing council. this town is getting like a ghost town.

Doda Hos ● 5315d

Happy young people indeed!!!  who urinated in people's doorways and when challenged promptly punched in the face those complaining!! Those new to the area are possibly are not aware of all the problems with this establishment which resulted in them installing an outside toilet.

Dee Cook ● 5313d

Is it really open again?In what format?I wonder what the licensing regime is.

Sara Nathan ● 5298d

Nicola Howard ● 5298d

Don`t think it`s re-open. Passed it couple of days ago and it was closed.

David Woolf ● 5293d

Just walked past it and it looked very dead - as did the lazy fish bar.But there is a new restaurant bar opposite that says it is about to open - cant recall the name - began with R I think.

Sara Nathan ● 5293d

It's had a sign saying 'opening soon' for weeks.  Such a tease....

Vivienne Duggan ● 5293d

Of course!TaHas it? I peered in the windows but it looked a long way off ready to open

Sara Nathan ● 5293d

http://www.redbacktavern.com/whatson.php?month=4&year=2012 No events for March, April, May, June etc.

Nicola Howard ● 5293d

No, it looks terminal.Something else there would be great...

Sara Nathan ● 5292d

Can`t see anything similar being successful. Block of flats?

David Woolf ● 5291d

We have quite a few of those already - and not selling so well apparently

Sara Nathan ● 5291d

It's a big building - what about some sort of children's play centre and cafe for the ladies wot lunch?

Sarah Harris ● 5291d

I'm sure the lunching lady elite have plenty of places to go already. This family are missing the Redback and live in hope that it, or something similar will be open before too long.

Helen Ann Lloyd ● 5291d

If the lunching ladies have buggies, they could do with more space and choice. Acton's eateries aren't really big enough.

Sara Nathan ● 5291d

Well, that's what the owners said in reply to a tweeted query.But it still looks red and yet unready.The fish and chip shop has re-opened too hasn't it?Is it any good?

sara nathan ● 5177d