Indifference to patrons

II IS QUITE amazing that with so many pubs going down the tubes in the UK, The Red Lion is not doing itself any favours, particularly as the village now hosts a 249 berth (almost full) marina, writes David Chester.

Indifference to patrons

I have had personal experience of the pub in the last 12 months and can only confirm with your correspondent about the lack of food and indifference to patrons. For years this was the pub of choice for many in transit on the canal and well supported by a cross section of the village community.

Since the demise of the post office in the village, the Red Lion offers a part-time service, which seems to have spilled over to the bar as well! They also have a music room where guitars et al are available for sale.

Good food

Now I always thought that food offered the best profit margin for any pub and good food served well always hits the spot. So anyone visiting Cropredy should go to the Brasenose Arms (pictured), a short walk from Cropredy Wharf Bridge, where a warm welcome awaits with good food and banter. When the marina opened, they claimed their trade went 40% up month on month compared to previous years!

It's even more strange that both pubs are owned, I believe, by Enterprise Inns but so long as they get the rent, they probably don't mind how their tenants behave. A sad loss for Cropredy's otherwise good facilities.

As a complete aside, the Bridge Inn at Napton (Bridge 111) has reopened and early reports are that the food, welcome and beer are all good!