City Pub Closure

A recent article caught my eye about a recent city pub closure. Without a doubt it is always a sad day when a business is forced to close for whatever reason. This recent city pub closure is no exception. Sad days indeed for the owners, the staff and the customers who regularly popped in for a drink and a bite to eat.

I must admit, I hadn’t heard of the pub, the Henry Potts, when I first read the article. And I certainly hadn’t visited the venue either. I did see in the article however that it was in Watergate Street, so I was a bit surprised I’d not heard of it. I was even more surprised to see one of the quotes for its closure. The city centre is like a ghost town according to the spokesperson for the pub. This got me more intrigued. Watergate Street, a part of a ghost town? Really, that’s news to me. Whenever I take a trip down Watergate Street, it always seems lively with plenty of punters knocking about.

Again, I must admit, I don’t frequent any of the establishments in the same way I used to in days gone by when I was a regular in Watergates Wine Bar and the Custom House (the Cuzzie). Maybe my infrequent visits explained my not knowing of the Henry Potts.

But then a few days later I read another article about the closure and had a good look at the photo from across the road to the venue. Ah, I’ve got it now.

City Pub Closure

The Henry Potts is in the same location as the Fat Cat. A pub I well remember from “back in the day.” A really popular, vibrant haunt for many a year. Mind you even in its heyday, I would not describe the Fat Cat as being city centre. Whenever I went there I made a special trip to wander out from the city centre to have a pint or two. Or, I would start the evening there and walk into town from there.

These last two sentences, I feel, goes some way to explaining why things haven’t really taken off for the most recent establishment. There is no, or very little, passing trade in that part of town. No shops to wander in and out of, so unless you were going to the races, the only reason you would call in was if you were making a special trip.

Which brings me on to another possible reason for the perceived lack of customers. Since reading the first article and subsequently establishing where the Henry Potts is, I asked around some of my old drinking buddies if they had any thoughts on the venue.

And the general consensus of opinion came up with the same reason. Too expensive. Or, to put it another way, in this day and age, not great value for money.

The Fat Cat In Its Heyday

When the Fat Cat was booming, I recall it was well worth a trip as they served top quality beers (I like a good pint of cask) at prices not too dissimilar to other places in the middle of town. In other words, it was worth going to as it was popular, served great beer and had a vibrant atmosphere to add to the mix. And here’s the key, you weren’t paying anything like £2.00+ a pint more for your favourite pint.

As I say, I’ve not been but drinkers I’ve known for many years have. I stand to be corrected but I’ve heard people say that some pints of beer were priced at £6.00 plus.

If that’s the case then fair enough. Pubs are well within their rights to charge what the punters are prepared to pay. But as it’s closing (or closed) then isn’t it fair to say that customers are not prepared to (a) go out of their way to a non city centre bar location and (b) pay a lot more for drinks that can be enjoyed for far less in the city centre?

The phrase of “each to their own” is of significance here. I must admit, as a fan of good cask beer, there are plenty of establishments that sell a good selection of beers in the city centre at reasonable prices. Would I go out of my way to call into a non city centre location and pay £6.00+ for a pint? Not a chance. The drinking buddies I spoke with were all of the same mind.

In the spirit of “each to their own” there will be some happy enough to do so, but will this entice larger numbers of customers out of the centre? I think the closure has answered that question.

So, is the narrative that Chester city centre is a ghost town an accurate assessment for this bar closing? Some may suggest otherwise and point to the location and the expensive prices being the main reasons.

Chester Lifestyle Blog Posts

Thanks for visiting my Chester Lifestyle website and for reading my latest article – City Pub Closure. It is very much appreciated. I hope all the staff and management of the establishment manage to find new employment as soon as possible, if not already achieved.

To see all of my other blog posts on a variety of topics, then visit HERE.

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As This Is A Chester Related Website

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