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Post by sarge on Jun 22, 2014 22:34:49 GMT
happened to be in the vicinity of the Priory this morning! .....theres seems to be some serious foundation digging ( which presumably involves piledriving of a seriously powerful industrial strength nature) on the site of the old Minchery farm country club.....given the Priory is grade two listed and the assurances that were seemingly nothing more than lip service given by the owners, Ive a seriously BAD feeling that the foundation 'digging' is /has already caused irreparable damage to the Priory building.. due to the intense vibrations and mini tremors caused by 'foundation digging'..which itself, apart from the removal of the piles of rubbish at one end ( to allow the foundation digging contractors to 'do their worst) NOTHING has been done to repair the Priory by the leaseholder....in fact the wild and rampant out of control vegitation appears to be reclaiming the grade to listed building in a manner akin to the fairytale castle in Disney's Sleeping Beauty....Fairtale being rather apt Id say, as it seems a fairytale has been spun by Oxford City Council in the assurances they gave regarding ensuring the leaseholder (Ka$$am) met his obligation his the terms of the lease.
Those who contacted Oxford City Council, Andrew Smith MP, Radio Oxford( re pubs being no longer allowed to shut),Oxford Mail ( who lived up to thier 'Oxford FAIL tag on this one) and the various seemingly toothless English Heritage, Protection of Rural Britain, and similar organisations prevoiusly, maybe should remind the people contacted back then, that KA$$AM is again doing exactly as he pleases with no-one making any real attempt to stop him failing in his obligations as leaseholder of the Priory......it appears to me that directly, indirectly, or a bit of both KA$$AM and the OWNERS of the Priory, Oxford City Council appear to be guilty of wilful neglect as well as criminal damage in the blatant vandalism currently being perpertrated on a grade 2 listed building jointly under their 'care'
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Post by Si Bradbury on Jun 23, 2014 8:24:11 GMT
OXVOX SURVEY UPDATE: We had our committee meeting last week and we discussed the progress of our Priory Survey which was sent to members and put on the club website. To date we have had over 500 responses to the survey. At the meeting we decided we would take another week to allow for late replies to come through. Are people happy for the survey results to be based on that or would people like us to spend more time promoting this and pushing it further. 500 is a decent snapshot of our fanbase. Thanks for the update Brahmabull..... personally Id like it to be given a couple more weeks, perhaps letting radox/bbc oxford TV/ BBC oxford local news website, itv meridian and the Oxford Mail know about it too via a press release, then that may generate a significant amount of replies more ? mind you over 500 responses from a limited circulation is fairly good Id say Poll closed as of 21 June. We've had only three further responses this month. 527 responses overall. Matt, Maurice and Andy will start doing some analysis and this will be completed over the next couple of weeks.
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Post by Paul Cannell on Jun 23, 2014 8:46:04 GMT
Interestingly I got a response to my mail about the English Heritage 'Building at Risk' application on Friday. The gist is that the Priory won't be put on the Register; this is as a result of assurances that have been received from OCC and a meeting on June 3rd between 'the leaseholder and OCC during which a condition survey was apparently done. EH - "On the basis that both repair and re-use would appear to be imminent, we do not feel that the building is at risk at this time."
I've mailed EH asking for info on June 3rd meeting and mailed the person from OCC who was mentioned in the EH email asking for general information on the Priory and also:
"Do you have any information on imminence of the ‘repair and re-use’? Is the supposed work on the Priory in line with planning consent 05/00287/FUL of May 2005? Does the council have any sanction in case the restoration of the Priory doesn’t happen or results in it becoming unviable?"
I'm not that impressed with EH either, since the Priory is most definitely 'at risk' until the work is successfully completed and it is being re-used. On the other hand I'm not sure this is all bad.
Let's see. If the answers to the questions above are something like 'started'. 'yes' and 'yes' then it may be OK, even good.
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Post by Paul Cannell on Jun 23, 2014 8:49:27 GMT
Poll closed as of 21 June. We've had only three further responses this month. 527 responses overall. Matt, Maurice and Andy will start doing some analysis and this will be completed over the next couple of weeks. I'm sure OCC will be interested in that.
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Post by sihath on Jun 23, 2014 9:41:45 GMT
Interestingly I got a response to my mail about the English Heritage 'Building at Risk' application on Friday. The gist is that the Priory won't be put on the Register; this is as a result of assurances that have been received from OCC and a meeting on June 3rd between 'the leaseholder and OCC during which a condition survey was apparently done. EH - "On the basis that both repair and re-use would appear to be imminent, we do not feel that the building is at risk at this time." I've mailed EH asking for info on June 3rd meeting and mailed the person from OCC who was mentioned in the EH email asking for general information on the Priory and also: "Do you have any information on imminence of the ‘repair and re-use’? Is the supposed work on the Priory in line with planning consent 05/00287/FUL of May 2005? Does the council have any sanction in case the restoration of the Priory doesn’t happen or results in it becoming unviable?" I'm not that impressed with EH either, since the Priory is most definitely 'at risk' until the work is successfully completed and it is being re-used. On the other hand I'm not sure this is all bad. Let's see. If the answers to the questions above are something like 'started'. 'yes' and 'yes' then it may be OK, even good. Sometime between now and the 2022 World Cup then...
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Post by Paul Cannell on Jun 23, 2014 12:30:35 GMT
happened to be in the vicinity of the Priory this morning! .....theres seems to be some serious foundation digging ( which presumably involves piledriving of a seriously powerful industrial strength nature) on the site of the old Minchery farm country club. Certainly looks as if the hotel is going ahead. Part 5 of the planning grant of 2005 reads: "Development shall not commence until the Local Planning Authority has approved in writing a scheme for the repair of Minchery Farmhouse. The hotel shall not be brought into use until the repairs have been undertaken and the Local Planning Authority have certified they have been completed in accordance with the approved details." I don't know that this is still applicable. It is also not clear what the function of the Priory will be other than that it will adjoin a 2-storey elevation which was required to be re-designed to fit better with the Priory.
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Post by eighteen93 on Jun 23, 2014 12:59:40 GMT
The planning permission for a new hotel, granted in 2005, on land next to the Priory had lapsed in 2010 and the application was then withdrawn(unless I have missed something).
Surely the drilling works are to do with that huge sink hole by The Gala Bingo Hall that emerged last weekend after very heavy rainfall.
The Oxford Mail reported that there are ancient pipes underground that have collapsed and these connect up to the Priory buildings.
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Post by sarge on Jun 23, 2014 14:24:34 GMT
cynic that I am....Im wondering if the 'person'who peretrated the 'mystery' fire that destroyed Minchery farm cc is also behind the mystery bore hole appearing ( after all it HAS rained heavily and much heavier than last weekend, previous to last weekend ...and many times over the preceeding years in fact) ??
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Post by Paul Cannell on Jun 23, 2014 15:57:52 GMT
The planning permission for a new hotel, granted in 2005, on land next to the Priory had lapsed in 2010 and the application was then withdrawn(unless I have missed something). Surely the drilling works are to do with that huge sink hole by The Gala Bingo Hall that emerged last weekend after very heavy rainfall. The Oxford Mail reported that there are ancient pipes underground that have collapsed and these connect up to the Priory buildings. I'm pretty sure the permission was for 5 years only but I seem to have read somewhere that it had been renewed. I think I'm wrong. There is a current application pending review that seems to be seeking amendments to the 2005 one. It would seem you're right about the building work, although a big area seems to have been cleared.........
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Post by Paul Cannell on Jun 23, 2014 16:07:23 GMT
Sorry for the extra post. The new application does not attempt to alter condition 5, which I quoted above. A covering letter states 'as previously agreed' about the clause.
Still like to know what the June 3 meeting was about.
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Post by oxymoron on Jun 23, 2014 17:19:57 GMT
Interesting stuff there.
Without reading all of the documents, the letter to the city council appears to be the most informative. Most of it details if/how/when the conditions attached to the 2005 planning approval are being met, but the most important bits are
1) a statement that work started on the construction in 2010, which makes that application valid rather than lapsed. 2) that the current works are in respect of the archaeological constraints placed upon the development 3) that no works are required at the Priory Pub prior to construction of the hotel re-starting.
So basically, the developers are asking the council to rubber stamp the statements regarding the planning constraints after which they are free to start building an 87 bed hotel.
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Post by eighteen93 on Jun 23, 2014 17:29:27 GMT
Agreed - plenty to read in those 22 documents
Looks like it will be a Hilton branded hotel reading the Ridge & partners report.
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Post by Paul Cannell on Jun 23, 2014 18:55:09 GMT
Interesting stuff there. Without reading all of the documents, the letter to the city council appears to be the most informative. Most of it details if/how/when the conditions attached to the 2005 planning approval are being met, but the most important bits are 1) a statement that work started on the construction in 2010, which makes that application valid rather than lapsed. 2) that the current works are in respect of the archaeological constraints placed upon the development 3) that no works are required at the Priory Pub prior to construction of the hotel re-starting. So basically, the developers are asking the council to rubber stamp the statements regarding the planning constraints after which they are free to start building an 87 bed hotel. Yeah, I'd argue that the acceptance of condition 5 is also important in that the Priory renovation plans 'must be approved by OCC before work starts, and the renovation must be finished and approved before the hotel opens for business. The cynic in me is wondering 2 things: Will these renovation plans (and presumably, plans for future use) be agreed behind closed doors? And, Does English Heritage know something we don't - to wit that the deal is done? If they don't, why am I being told that the commencement of work is 'imminent'?
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Post by sarge on Jun 23, 2014 23:39:56 GMT
Interesting stuff there. Without reading all of the documents, the letter to the city council appears to be the most informative. Most of it details if/how/when the conditions attached to the 2005 planning approval are being met, but the most important bits are 1) a statement that work started on the construction in 2010, which makes that application valid rather than lapsed. 2) that the current works are in respect of the archaeological constraints placed upon the development 3) that no works are required at the Priory Pub prior to construction of the hotel re-starting. So basically, the developers are asking the council to rubber stamp the statements regarding the planning constraints after which they are free to start building an 87 bed hotel. Yeah, I'd argue that the acceptance of condition 5 is also important in that the Priory renovation plans 'must be approved by OCC before work starts, and the renovation must be finished and approved before the hotel opens for business. The cynic in me is wondering 2 things: Will these renovation plans (and presumably, plans for future use) be agreed behind closed doors? And, Does English Heritage know something we don't - to wit that the deal is done? If they don't, why am I being told that the commencement of work is 'imminent'? when it comes to anything that Ka$$am is involved with I find cynical is the ONLY way to be ditto Oxford City Council ( county council too)
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Post by sarge on Jun 24, 2014 10:30:29 GMT
If anyone wants to ask questions re Priory/ surrounding land
....Oxford City Council Senior Estates Surveyor is Lucy Darnell
..... ldarnell@oxford.gov.uk
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Post by krissyallen on Jun 24, 2014 10:50:10 GMT
What's the likelihood of the Priory being opened for this season?
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Post by Paul Cannell on Jun 24, 2014 11:46:56 GMT
Less than zero.
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Post by krissyallen on Jun 24, 2014 14:09:42 GMT
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Post by sarge on Jun 24, 2014 14:20:54 GMT
What's the likelihood of the Priory being opened for this season? as Paul C said less than zero .......when the current OUFC admin' along with 'advice' from yellow army representatives ( Im reliably informed), keep pushing for and more or less IMPOSING a 'supporters bar',on ALL OUFC supporters ..... despite complaints the shit beer,shit choices of drinks, shit prices, shit ambience and atmoshere, with shit rules about using it and shit plastic containters to drink from, , the chances of the Priory reopening this season will remain less than zero too ..why cant the clueless commercial types, the idiot pr types, and the unelected yellow army 'advisers' to the OUFC admin take on board the fact 'we' dont want a bar in the breeze block ...'we' want our matchday pub back, and with it some semblance of a decent 'matchday experience' returning on matchdays for home games ....it really IS that simple
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Post by Paul Cannell on Jun 24, 2014 14:29:54 GMT
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Post by Paul Cannell on Jun 24, 2014 14:34:45 GMT
What's the likelihood of the Priory being opened for this season? as Paul C said less than zero .......when the current OUFC admin' along with 'advice' from yellow army representatives ( Im reliably informed), keep pushing for and more or less IMPOSING a 'supporters bar',on ALL OUFC supporters ..... despite complaints the shit beer,shit choices of drinks, shit prices, shit ambience and atmoshere, with shit rules about using it and shit plastic containters to drink from, , the chances of the Priory reopening this season will remain less than zero too ..why cant the clueless commercial types, the idiot pr types, and the unelected yellow army 'advisers' to the OUFC admin take on board the fact 'we' dont want a bar in the breeze block ...'we' want our matchday pub back, and with it some semblance of a decent 'matchday experience' returning on matchdays for home games ....it really IS that simple To be fair to the club the Priory situation has probably been out of their hands for quite some time as Ka$$am has presumably been working on the new hotel. On the other hand I share your hearty animosity to the departure lounge. Back to the 'bird, then.
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Post by sihath on Jun 24, 2014 15:13:51 GMT
What's the likelihood of the Priory being opened for this season? as Paul C said less than zero .......when the current OUFC admin' along with 'advice' from yellow army representatives ( Im reliably informed), keep pushing for and more or less IMPOSING a 'supporters bar',on ALL OUFC supporters ..... despite complaints the shit beer,shit choices of drinks, shit prices, shit ambience and atmoshere, with shit rules about using it and shit plastic containters to drink from, , the chances of the Priory reopening this season will remain less than zero too ..why cant the clueless commercial types, the idiot pr types, and the unelected yellow army 'advisers' to the OUFC admin take on board the fact 'we' dont want a bar in the breeze block ...'we' want our matchday pub back, and with it some semblance of a decent 'matchday experience' returning on matchdays for home games ....it really IS that simple First let me say this: I'd love the Priory to re-open. I'll ask this question. How many football clubs own/run/finance pubs in the location of their stadiums? Why do some people expect our football club to start running a pub for the fans - especially as that pub is likely to run at a loss? Especially when they are making money from the current set up? Perhaps those who feel strongly enough about it should make an offer to Kassam/OCC and take over the pub themselves?
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Post by Gary Baldi on Jun 24, 2014 21:00:32 GMT
OUFC are not a charity, so while the Priory is a nice to have, do they need to take on a loss leader like that? If there was a way for the Priory to be run and for it to not lose money, then I think no one has an issue with it. Right now, it's not commercially viable outside of match days. Solve that, and I think everyone is happy.
And besides. Maybe the Priory atmosphere wasn't one that some people would feel comfortable being around. The atmosphere isn't to everyone's taste. Maybe the club in the 12th man bar are hitting at a different demographic all together, rather than competing for the same business that was in the Priory.
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Post by sarge on Jun 25, 2014 9:08:36 GMT
as Paul C said less than zero .......when the current OUFC admin' along with 'advice' from yellow army representatives ( Im reliably informed), keep pushing for and more or less IMPOSING a 'supporters bar',on ALL OUFC supporters ..... despite complaints the shit beer,shit choices of drinks, shit prices, shit ambience and atmoshere, with shit rules about using it and shit plastic containters to drink from, , the chances of the Priory reopening this season will remain less than zero too ..why cant the clueless commercial types, the idiot pr types, and the unelected yellow army 'advisers' to the OUFC admin take on board the fact 'we' dont want a bar in the breeze block ...'we' want our matchday pub back, and with it some semblance of a decent 'matchday experience' returning on matchdays for home games ....it really IS that simple First let me say this: I'd love the Priory to re-open. I'll ask this question. How many football clubs own/run/finance pubs in the location of their stadiums? Why do some people expect our football club to start running a pub for the fans - especially as that pub is likely to run at a loss? Especially when they are making money from the current set up? Perhaps those who feel strongly enough about it should make an offer to Kassam/OCC and take over the pub themselves? Quite a lot actually ...a lot of them are generally known as 'supporters clubs' given that in the days of the Manor ground 'we' had a supporters club , in the vicinty of the ground & the then OUFC Administration ( under Ka$$am??? I cant rember under who tbh , Ka$$am is the likely 'culprit' as it was separate to OUFC, owned by the Supporters, as HE wouldve needed it...the land... to help clinch his deal with selling the Manor? ) it was 'absorbed' current Chairman/board have 'interests' in a couple of hostelries in Woodstock, so they have the know how IF London Welsh and OUFC get together it would be an ideal location for a supporters club for both, AND an ideal mustering point for coaches to away games...and as a supporters club, wouldnt people be more likely to use it? Lets not forget the house building due on the opposite side of Greenoble road in the (nearish? ) future....facilities will be required for the influx of residents, a LOCAL pub (or supporters club/pub...thus 'advertising' OUFC to NEW local residents would be a good move...though Im not sure if OUFC's current Commercial & PR depts /gurus would see it that way, as a good and obvious idea could headbut them and they would still be oblivious And as for OUFC making money from the current set up...the current set up is SHIT...and as a supporters club of some sort, Im certain a lot more money would be made than the still mysterious percentange (that only the more equal than other supporters are privy to the ACTUAL amount that OUFC recieves), from that uninviting cesspit in the breeze block Why dont YOU buy the club off Lenegan and the stadium off Ka$$am Sihath? ....which is a question as likely, and for the same reasons Id guess, as your sneery unrealistic closing comment/question methinks
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Post by sarge on Jun 25, 2014 9:14:34 GMT
OUFC are not a charity, so while the Priory is a nice to have, do they need to take on a loss leader like that? If there was a way for the Priory to be run and for it to not lose money, then I think no one has an issue with it. Right now, it's not commercially viable outside of match days. Solve that, and I think everyone is happy. And besides. Maybe the Priory atmosphere wasn't one that some people would feel comfortable being around. The atmosphere isn't to everyone's taste. Maybe the club in the 12th man bar are hitting at a different demographic all together, rather than competing for the same business that was in the Priory. Fair comments IF the Priory did become the Supporters club, majority of the money spent by fans in other bars and pubs in a 2-3 mile radius of the breeze block on matchdays, simply due to the fact the mystery supporters bar has NO appeal and for a Plethora of reasons, would perhaps be more likely to find its way to the OUFC coffers Id reckon Some other ways it could be profitable, or not a loss leader, are in the reply to Sihath, on page 8 of this thread
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Post by sihath on Jun 25, 2014 9:20:51 GMT
First let me say this: I'd love the Priory to re-open. I'll ask this question. How many football clubs own/run/finance pubs in the location of their stadiums? Why do some people expect our football club to start running a pub for the fans - especially as that pub is likely to run at a loss? Especially when they are making money from the current set up? Perhaps those who feel strongly enough about it should make an offer to Kassam/OCC and take over the pub themselves? Quite a lot actually ...a lot of them are generally known as 'supporters clubs' given that in the days of the Manor ground 'we' had a supporters club , in the vicinty of the ground & the then OUFC Administration ( under Ka$$am??? I cant rember under who tbh , Ka$$am is the likely 'culprit' as it was separate to OUFC, owned by the Supporters, as HE wouldve needed it...the land... to help clinch his deal with selling the Manor? ) it was 'absorbed' current Chairman/board have 'interests' in a couple of hostelries in Woodstock, so they have the know how IF London Welsh and OUFC get together it would be an ideal location for a supporters club for both, AND an ideal mustering point for coaches to away games...and as a supporters club, wouldnt people be more likely to use it? Lets not forget the house building due on the opposite side of Greenoble road in the (nearish? ) future....facilities will be required for the influx of residents, a LOCAL pub (or supporters club/pub...thus 'advertising' OUFC to NEW local residents would be a good move...though Im not sure if OUFC's current Commercial & PR depts /gurus would see it that way, as a good and obvious idea could headbut them and they would still be oblivious And as for OUFC making money from the current set up...the current set up is SHIT...and as a supporters club of some sort, Im certain a lot more money would be made than the still mysterious percentange (that only the more equal than other supporters are privy to the ACTUAL amount that OUFC recieves), from that uninviting cesspit in the breeze block Why dont YOU buy the club off Lenegan and the stadium off Ka$$am Silath? ....which is a question as likely, and for the same reasons Id guess, as your sneery unrealistic closing comment methinks My closing comment wasn't meant as sneery. As soon as my numbers come up on the EuroLottery I'll be straight down there with a big bag of cash and tell Kassam to "do one". The current set up might be "SHIT" but it's currently the best we have, and people are trying to improve it. Slowly that's happening. It won't suit everyone, but then the Priory didn't suit everyone. A real supporters club would be great and I would imagine that if we ever own the stadium that would be something that would happen pretty quickly. You say you're "certain" that the club would make more from the Priory than they currently make from the 12th Man Bar. To do that we've got to assume that Kassam will drop the rent. He didn't do it for Tim, so why would he do that for us? I said before I'd love the Priory to re-open. I've even contacted a good friend of mine at a major pub chain about taking it over, but sadly they're not interested. There are plenty of things to criticise the club for, but I think that not buying a pub near their ground is not a realistic gripe. On a separate topic, have you heard anything about when the AGM is?
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Post by sarge on Jun 25, 2014 10:32:41 GMT
Quite a lot actually ...a lot of them are generally known as 'supporters clubs' given that in the days of the Manor ground 'we' had a supporters club , in the vicinty of the ground & the then OUFC Administration ( under Ka$$am??? I cant rember under who tbh , Ka$$am is the likely 'culprit' as it was separate to OUFC, owned by the Supporters, as HE wouldve needed it...the land... to help clinch his deal with selling the Manor? ) it was 'absorbed' current Chairman/board have 'interests' in a couple of hostelries in Woodstock, so they have the know how IF London Welsh and OUFC get together it would be an ideal location for a supporters club for both, AND an ideal mustering point for coaches to away games...and as a supporters club, wouldnt people be more likely to use it? Lets not forget the house building due on the opposite side of Greenoble road in the (nearish? ) future....facilities will be required for the influx of residents, a LOCAL pub (or supporters club/pub...thus 'advertising' OUFC to NEW local residents would be a good move...though Im not sure if OUFC's current Commercial & PR depts /gurus would see it that way, as a good and obvious idea could headbut them and they would still be oblivious And as for OUFC making money from the current set up...the current set up is SHIT...and as a supporters club of some sort, Im certain a lot more money would be made than the still mysterious percentange (that only the more equal than other supporters are privy to the ACTUAL amount that OUFC recieves), from that uninviting cesspit in the breeze block Why dont YOU buy the club off Lenegan and the stadium off Ka$$am Silath? ....which is a question as likely, and for the same reasons Id guess, as your sneery unrealistic closing comment methinks My closing comment wasn't meant as sneery. As soon as my numbers come up on the EuroLottery I'll be straight down there with a big bag of cash and tell Kassam to "do one". The current set up might be "SHIT" but it's currently the best we have, and people are trying to improve it. Slowly that's happening. It won't suit everyone, but then the Priory didn't suit everyone. A real supporters club would be great and I would imagine that if we ever own the stadium that would be something that would happen pretty quickly. You say you're "certain" that the club would make more from the Priory than they currently make from the 12th Man Bar. To do that we've got to assume that Kassam will drop the rent. He didn't do it for Tim, so why would he do that for us? I said before I'd love the Priory to re-open. I've even contacted a good friend of mine at a major pub chain about taking it over, but sadly they're not interested. There are plenty of things to criticise the club for, but I think that not buying a pub near their ground is not a realistic gripe. On a separate topic, have you heard anything about when the AGM is? fair enough I suppose, but IMO that supporters bar really is trying to make the proverbial silk purse out of a sows ear.....too many things NOT right with it, & I did give it more than a few tries.... Bowlplex?, nah just isnt right, ....it'll continue to be the 'bird for me despite the distance, at least I can have a DECENT pint and ciggy simultaniously re AGM .....not heard a bean....IL snapped my head off at Court Place Farm ( pre season friendly v 'City) when I enquired when last years was going to be, saying 'I dont legally have to hold an AGM' ...... so who knows when or if this one is going to take place? Lenegan apart that is
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Post by Paul Cannell on Jun 25, 2014 10:48:20 GMT
OUFC are not a charity, so while the Priory is a nice to have, do they need to take on a loss leader like that? If there was a way for the Priory to be run and for it to not lose money, then I think no one has an issue with it. Right now, it's not commercially viable outside of match days. Solve that, and I think everyone is happy. For one thing the viability of the Priory as a pub was mostly down to the lease / rent and we know Ka$$am raised it hugely for the last season the pub was open. It's very likely that, with a general will, the Priory could (have been) viable. I think this point is moot, though. The return of the hotel scheme didn't materialise overnight and it seems quite likely that Ka$$am was prepared to rip Tim off for a period before launching the re-application for the hotel. (This implies he was quite ready to see the fabric of the Priory rot for a couple of years before work started, but that's just twisting the arm of the landlord - OCC). In other words, neither, OUFC, Yellow Army nor the little baby Jesus had any chance of running the Priory because it wasn't in Ka$$am's interest. And besides. Maybe the Priory atmosphere wasn't one that some people would feel comfortable being around. The atmosphere isn't to everyone's taste. Maybe the club in the 12th man bar are hitting at a different demographic all together, rather than competing for the same business that was in the Priory. I guess we'd both agree that the departure lounge is in no way a replacement for the Priory, then? I hadn't thought of that. Lack of imagination I suppose. I still think the absence of the Priory has had a negative affect, and I think it's significant. Anyway, this thread is as much about preserving a historical building as reviving a prehistoric watering hole so I'll leave it there.
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Post by Gary Baldi on Jun 25, 2014 11:18:44 GMT
OUFC are not a charity, so while the Priory is a nice to have, do they need to take on a loss leader like that? If there was a way for the Priory to be run and for it to not lose money, then I think no one has an issue with it. Right now, it's not commercially viable outside of match days. Solve that, and I think everyone is happy. For one thing the viability of the Priory as a pub was mostly down to the lease / rent and we know Ka$$am raised it hugely for the last season the pub was open. It's very likely that, with a general will, the Priory could (have been) viable. I think this point is moot, though. The return of the hotel scheme didn't materialise overnight and it seems quite likely that Ka$$am was prepared to rip Tim off for a period before launching the re-application for the hotel. (This implies he was quite ready to see the fabric of the Priory rot for a couple of years before work started, but that's just twisting the arm of the landlord - OCC). In other words, neither, OUFC, Yellow Army nor the little baby Jesus had any chance of running the Priory because it wasn't in Ka$$am's interest. And besides. Maybe the Priory atmosphere wasn't one that some people would feel comfortable being around. The atmosphere isn't to everyone's taste. Maybe the club in the 12th man bar are hitting at a different demographic all together, rather than competing for the same business that was in the Priory. I guess we'd both agree that the departure lounge is in no way a replacement for the Priory, then? I hadn't thought of that. Lack of imagination I suppose. I still think the absence of the Priory has had a negative affect, and I think it's significant. Anyway, this thread is as much about preserving a historical building as reviving a prehistoric watering hole so I'll leave it there. That's my only view. What Kassam made Tim pay is what we'd pay. He's not into charity and neither is OUFC. The current bar is what it is. By no means perfect, but it serves a function that not everyone likes. Same the Priory used to. I wish people would get over it and concentrate on what we can change today. If the hotel arrives, will the Priory ever be like it was? I wholeheartedly agree that the building should be preserved and the lease holder needs to be responsible for that. It's a disgrace that it's been allowed to degrade.
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Post by Paul Cannell on Jun 25, 2014 12:27:54 GMT
I have a suspicion this here is a rhetorical question, but I'll answer it anyway. If the hotel arrives, will the Priory ever be like it was? Of course not. At best it will be a relatively characterful hotel bar with a couple of decent beers and outside area for us addicts. We aren't even sure it will be a pub (the question has been asked on the planning application).
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