Forum Topic

Acton Arms - closed?

We just popped down to the Acton Arms for a drink (rare afternoon on our own!) and found it to be closed. It was all shut up with all but one of the posters ripped down from the side wall. Does anyone know if it's closed for good? I do hope not!

Jennifer Monaghan ● 4974d16 Comments

What!!!!I do hope that it isn't closing down already.

Jamie James ● 4974d

We drove past not late last night - around 2230 - and it was dark.I had noticed a rather plaintive A board outside saying "support your local" a couple of days earlier.Did it ever build up much custom?

Sara Nathan ● 4974d

Perhaps it couldn't compete with the Red Lion and Pineapple? It does look a bit of a mess outside - if they had completed the removal of red paint, or even managed to paint over it, it would look more inviting. The vast interior space appeared so empty, and not a nice cosy place.Maybe someone from Antic will post on here as they did when they took it over and let us know what is happening.

Amanda Knights ● 4973d

Antic, or one of its subsidiaries, appears to have gone into administration: http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/General-News/Significant-interest-in-Antic-pubs-claim-administrators

Jake Woodward ● 4973d

Got. Response to my tweet to antic - yes it has closed down - just wasn't doing well enough. Shame,  they only owned in abut September with the kitchen well after that - not even time to get through the teething troubles

Sara Nathan ● 4973d

That's such a shame.

Jennifer Monaghan ● 4973d

Agree its a great shame as it had a lot of potential.But it was let down by the appearance. Some of the red paint was left as is. Some of the red paint was stripped back. Other areas were painted battleship grey.Two rough old stripped trees with a couple of fairy lights.It just wasnt welcoming compared to The Chatsworth or Red Lion and Pineapple.Only 5 months in, they close it. Now what?

Phaddaeng Thumraksa ● 4973d

My guess is they bit off more than they could chew with that red paint, the company was faced with huge debts, so maybe they cut their losses.A pub has to look inviting from the outside.  For some people, that means bright lights and cheap food of Wetherspoons, for others it means cosy lights and chalk board menus.The Acton Arms only ever looked inviting to an out of work decorator.  I am not the least bit surprised it failed.

N Roberts ● 4973d

It was certainly more appealing inside than out.But the group was expanding incredibly fast at the end of last year. Maybe they just couldn't focus enough on each acquisition.

Sara Nathan ● 4973d

That's very bad news.Really shocked and if Antic go into administration that is bad news for many areas of london.

Jamie James ● 4973d

I think it's just one part - Antic Ltd not Antic Pubs - that is in administration. So that's controlling twelve pubs but not, I think the Acton Arms.But they went from hardly any to lots in no time and may have over-reached themselves.

Sara Nathan ● 4973d

I suspect that you are correct Sara.Expand or die can easily slip into expand and die.Hope the site becomes something useful and attractive.

Jamie James ● 4973d

It's a tricky one: no parking, not the easiest of access, not much attractive hinterland and some very established competition.But a theatre would be nice!

Sara Nathan ● 4973d

I would have thought it was very accessible being so near to tube stations and directly on a few bus  routes.  The back garden is huge,so could have been a great asset.  It seems that Antic did expand too fast and consequently never invested as much as such a large site needed. And getting into trouble with the tax man ( which seems to be the reason for administration)  is probably the biggest mistake you can make!

Vivienne Duggan ● 4972d

Im sorry to hear it has closed. I really liked the place.

Deborah Reeves ● 4972d

Not sure my message got posted - I'm at the early stages of writing a treatment to bring an Arts Centre to Acton. SARA - a few people have said I should chat to you - how do I get hold of you? G

Glynne Steele ● 4971d