Firm closing

[jackwhite]

2 minutes ago, HiVibes said:

As I am not making a case for government funding, my sector is service based so yes I can get completly shafted and survive, but I don't think any sector should have special ongoing funding, and support should be means tested.

Personally the Front Porch clientelle and concept is not for me, though I think its great any business opening in this climate, I really like the concept of the greenhouse effect, whilst I feel uncomfortable with the wanky self description of 'a very instagramable urban-jungle vibe' that is the place I will meet people. I don't drink wine unless I am out for a proper meal, so the small plates and getting sloshed concept like the Front Porch is not for me, but I am sure it will be popular.

Fair points.

It seems you two have some sort of issue but lets not allow it to cloud common sense. 

Businesses will fold but, as I've said before, it's probably obvious who these businesses are. I have one or two in mind immediately (I won't be naming) that I think will be fortunate to survive.

I've stated before and it's more or less the same as what you are saying. Any business which has a well thought out concept where there's a gap in the market, with good (preferably exceptional) customer service, has a fighting chance even in the current market conditions.

[The Old Git]

1 hour ago, Passing Time said:

and to be honest our standard of food was not produced for boxes.

I don’t know which business you are, but I had a delivery from one restaurant I like going to occasionally and the delivery food was bloody awful and nothing like you’d get in the restaurant. I didn’t bother with meal deliveries from them again. 

I found Wine Down meal deliveries quite good as you finish cooking them yourselves. I note they’re still doing meal deliveries. 

[MrGarrison]

18 hours ago, Passing Time said:

I take very little notice of this clown jack - he trolls for a reaction. His posting style is very similar to that of someone who has been banned off here more times than I can remember for doing what he's doing now.

You’re talking absolute bollocks again aren’t you. 

[thommo2010]

4 hours ago, jackwhite said:

You possibly misunderstood my original question as you don't say what kind of trade the business is in.

It's all well and good being able to diversify but it's not possible for some trades. My question on restaurants is because these are one of those that it's not possible for.

I agree with what you're saying on Close Leece to be honest. I do actually think it wasn't that bad an idea but it's become obvious the last few years that spending was going to feel a pinch eventually with costs going up and luxury businesses, which is what I feel this is, would be the first hit. They could have shifted their offering or just seen the writing on the wall at that point. They have apparently struggled since the first lockdown, so it wouldn't be have been a surprise. I can certainly think of one such premises where it's an attempt at high end but the person running it has no idea what that looks like.

Let's take the new venture from the Front Porch guys as an example. Just to get your take on it. If you don't know their current offering it's a US themed bar with live music, alleged American cuisine (I wouldn't eat it but I believe plenty do) and it's rammed at the weekend. Sports on etc. Their latest venture seems to be aimed at a more sophisticated market. Small plates. Nice wines. They've brought in one of the advanced wine people from Wine Down as the manager. Would this fall into your definition of 'vanity project' or 'cool lifestyle' or do you think this will be a place 'people want to go'?

The food in the front porch is very decent, obviously not somewhere you would go for an intimate meal but decent if you're having a pint and watching the sports

[jackwhite]

58 minutes ago, thommo2010 said:

The food in the front porch is very decent, obviously not somewhere you would go for an intimate meal but decent if you're having a pint and watching the sports

I've had it and don't agree but everyone has their own tastes.

I'm quite fussy when it comes to eating out here tbh so I wouldn't judge it solely on that.

[BriT]

30 minutes ago, jackwhite said:

I've had it and don't agree but everyone has their own tastes.

I'm quite fussy when it comes to eating out here tbh so I wouldn't judge it solely on that.

I have to say I don’t like the Front Porch idea. I’ve tried it and sampled the food at lunchtime but I just didn’t like the place. It’s dark and dingy and the pool room stinks of the bogs. It’s nice outside on a nice day though. 

[The Phantom]

4 hours ago, The Old Git said:

I don’t know which business you are, but I had a delivery from one restaurant I like going to occasionally and the delivery food was bloody awful and nothing like you’d get in the restaurant. I didn’t bother with meal deliveries from them again. 

I found Wine Down meal deliveries quite good as you finish cooking them yourselves. I note they’re still doing meal deliveries. 

Well that's the whole reason for it being bad.  Some food (especially crispy stuff) just doesn't deliver well.  I don't think it's really the fault of the restaurant, more the medium of transport.  I actually had a chat with the Manager at Enzo's about exactly that.  Lockdown they did deliveries of their usual food, but quickly realised that they'd have to change the dishes to something a bit more 'travel-friendly'. 

If you finish yourself then it probably something crispy? 

[alpha-acid]

21 hours ago, Non-Believer said:

H&B

H+B is not a Brewery, Okells is the Brewery

[Non-Believer]

7 minutes ago, alpha-acid said:

H+B is not a Brewery, Okells is the Brewery

It was a generalisation, I'm sure you get the gist?

[0bserver]

19 minutes ago, alpha-acid said:

H+B is not a Brewery, Okells is the Brewery

Holland & Barrett

[The Old Git]

All of Wine Down’s food was finish it yourself as far as I could see. Worked quite well. Soufflé, scotch egg, etc all worked well.  

[BriT]

If a lady asked me if I’d like to eat out on her front porch I will admit I’d be tempted. But the whole concept of the venue is pretty poor. 

[jackwhite]

12 hours ago, BriT said:

If a lady asked me if I’d like to eat out on her front porch I will admit I’d be tempted. But the whole concept of the venue is pretty poor. 

Not disagreeing with your opinion, but curious being in the trade.

What specifically about it do you think is 'pretty poor'?

[manxchester]

1 hour ago, jackwhite said:

Not disagreeing with your opinion, but curious being in the trade.

What specifically about it do you think is 'pretty poor'?

I’ve only been in once to watch the football. Place seemed a bit scruffy and the stream for the football was awful, so bad we had to leave after one pint, wasn’t great considering it’s meant to be a sports bar. Does always seem busy so I must be in the minority  though.

[jackwhite]

2 minutes ago, manxchester said:

I’ve only been in once to watch the football. Place seemed a bit scruffy and the stream for the football was awful, so bad we had to leave after one pint, wasn’t great considering it’s meant to be a sports bar. Does always seem busy so I must be in the minority  though.

I think it's appealing to a certain demographic. Age and status primarily.

Likely if you're over 30 and not happy with the factors you mention, then it's not for you.

What I find interesting in bars around the island is the distinct interest they have in the actual product sold. 

There are loads of places doing cocktails etc and others who claim to have unique products (Front Porch - 'craft beer' which is most certainly isn't and the moonshine which I doubt many people buy as an example) but actually know very little about drinks in general. I worked in the US for a while and bartending is a proper profession but, in fairness, with tips, in a half decent bar you'll earn $500 a night minimum so you can see why. This is NY so everything is inflated in case you're thinking it doesn't sound right.

Maybe should start another thread but I'd be curious to know what people would like in a bar, or restaurant for that matter, that we don't have at the moment.