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The Anchor Inn Barcombe Poncified

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On 20 May 2009 at 3:43pm Piggles wrote:
Has the Anchor been taken over by a new landlord? Popped in recently to find upholstered high backed chairs, a ban on dogs in the bar, and a long wait for my pint. I haven't heard of any more of their music nights either.
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On 20 May 2009 at 4:43pm Dog In A Cape. wrote:
Upholstered chairs! With high backs! Dogs on the bar! Great!
Think I will go and have a look.
Poncilicious!
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On 20 May 2009 at 4:57pm Anchorwhere wrote:
Ringmer / Barcombe ?
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On 20 May 2009 at 5:00pm Anchors away wrote:
Must be Ringmer. The one at Barcombe has always been poncified.
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On 20 May 2009 at 5:23pm Mystic Mog wrote:
At least the one at Barcombe allows dogs and there are no high backed chairs.
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On 20 May 2009 at 8:02pm Toque wrote:
No, the one at Barcombe seems to have been given over to weddings, instead of music, and now has Laura Ashley chairs.
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On 20 May 2009 at 8:19pm Annette Curtin-Twitcher wrote:
I must take my dogs up there forthwith, just so I can flounce out again when they tell me they're not allowed!
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On 21 May 2009 at 12:31am Janet Street Preacher wrote:
I went in there the other day, the service was appalling. They seem to have found 2 total flakes to run the bar and the diners were complaining about the food.
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On 21 May 2009 at 7:59am Anchors away wrote:
The food is pretty dreadful too. It's a pity as it is a nice summer walk from the car park at Barcombe Mills.
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On 21 May 2009 at 9:48am FELINE wrote:
The Anchor near Barcombe has very recently been sold. When we were last there (the week before it was sold) we saw the new soon to be owner - and thought that it didn't look good (the phrase 'wide boy' came to mind). The bloke who lived out the back (Mark?) has apparently been evicted. What a shame - I don't think I can bear to go back.
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On 21 May 2009 at 10:20am Mystic Mog wrote:
Oh dear. Is that the same Mark who worked at Rik's Discs a few years ago? If so, lovely chap, hope he finds a job and housing.
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On 21 May 2009 at 1:02pm All change wrote:
I went to Barcombe's Anchor Inn last week. The new management seem intent on turning it into a tacky restaurant of the sort most people hoped they had seen the last of in the late 70s. The decor is very tasteless, the staff (all dressed in ill-fitting white shirts) ignored the punters for as long as they could and when they did notice you they were so distracted and careless you felt like giving them a good punching. They screwed up our order, and were quite rude when we politely pointed out they had got our order wrong. They seem unable to add up too as we got much more change than we were due. The food took a long time to come and when it did was not warm.
The only thing left that could make this pub worth going to now is the lovely tranquil setting.... the river and the countryside.... but the owners even manage to destroy by piping b-grade pop-music into the surrounding countryside.
The new owners have so missed the vein of running a country pub that they have banned children and dogs from the bar, stopped kayakers, walkers, dog walkers and picnickers from using the car park, chopped down the picturesque willow that overhung the river, taken away the trees that stopped the toddlers from being able to walk straight into the water, made the food menu even worse than it was before and continue to rent out the boats at hugely inflated prices.
If you want an authentic country pub (and not just someones misguided and tacky idea of one) try the Griffin at Fletching, the Jolly Sportsman at East Chiltington, The Cock just off the A26 at the Barcombe turn-off or the Laughing Fish at Isfield.
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On 21 May 2009 at 1:41pm Wilhelm wrote:
I gave the landlord of the Britannia in Romney Marsh a good old greeting when he pointed out the dog but offered that we may eat in the 'second class' area. Avoid Kent. Seems all but one Kent pub ban dogs and the others Kent pubs ban kids. If you have a combination thereof (like a childish dog or a dogugly child) you are really buggered. Seems that this attitude spills over into Sussex with DFL and Tunbridge Wells influx? At least the Lewes Arms and especially Gardeners (dog biscuits) know how to attract and keep customers.
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On 21 May 2009 at 3:39pm Mystic Mog wrote:
We often would go to the Anchor. Take the hounds for a spin, then retire inside the pub, preferably in the front sunny porch for a ploughmans & Harveys. They used to allow dogs in the bar but not muddy boots.
I might just walk in with dogs anyway pretending not know about the changes.
Has the MG B car grill gone?
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On 21 May 2009 at 7:56pm Ed Can Do wrote:
There's plenty of country pubs ruond here that will welcome dogs and kids though. I'm sure the new people at the Anchor will sooon revise their policies if everyone starts going to them instead.
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On 21 May 2009 at 8:00pm Mr Bone wrote:
Try the Rainbow in Lewes they serve dogs
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On 21 May 2009 at 10:26pm Annette Curtin-Twitcher wrote:
It's very sad imo. The closure o the Angler's Rest at Barcombe Mills was a great shame, now the Anchor is suffering from poncification, imo it's best to keep walkign until you get to the the Laughing Fish at Isfield.

Sadly, Greedy King outed Harveys in favour of their East Anglian muck, but the food's still pretty reasonable and it's a proper pub, with dogs and swearing allowed.
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On 22 May 2009 at 7:48am Alergic to dogs wrote:
Great more pubs should ban dogs. Not everybody likes dogs that much and some like myself can even be alergic to them. They should be banned from public areas.
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On 23 May 2009 at 10:17am Toque wrote:
I'm allergic to pollen and feel exactly the same way about trees and flowers. They should all be cut down. Peanuts should be banned too, and all bees should be killed because anaphalaxis from a bee sting can be fatal.
Also vegetarians, people who are allergic to dogs and Labour voters should be humanely destroyed.
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On 23 May 2009 at 3:52pm Alergic to dogs wrote:
Line them all up and shot the lot of them.
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On 23 May 2009 at 5:46pm paddled off penelope wrote:
arrived as usual today with two canoes, excited children and looking forward to a pub lunch when approached by "the manager" of the Anchor at Barcombe to be told that you can no longer use the river as the new owner has spend £50,000 on buying the rights to the river in order to run his own boating business and stopping any other floating vessels from enjoying the river again. We have been going to the mills for 15 years and were left disappointed especially when told if you don't like the new terms then you can "get off my land".
So, forthwith, off to Cuckmere Haven, had an excellent lunch in the Golden Galleon, spent 2.50 on parking, free boating right down to the sea and a warm reception from the Visitor Centre.
I recommend other former boat users at the Mills do the same.
The new owner obviously has more money than business sense and is surely committing commercial suicide.
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On 27 May 2009 at 10:37pm MT wrote:
Paddled Off Penelope. Your post is missed in this thread so here it is again... with my comments below.
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"arrived as usual today with two canoes, excited children and looking forward to a pub lunch when approached by the manager of the Anchor at Barcombe to be told that you can no longer use the river as the new owner has spend £50,000 on buying the rights to the river in order to run his own boating business and stopping any other floating vessels from enjoying the river again. We have been going to the mills for 15 years and were left disappointed especially when told if you don't like the new terms then you can "get off my land".
So, forthwith, off to Cuckmere Haven, had an excellent lunch in the Golden Galleon, spent 2.50 on parking, free boating right down to the sea and a warm reception from the Visitor Centre.
I recommend other former boat users at the Mills do the same.
The new owner obviously has more money than business sense and is surely committing commercial suicide."
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The new ower of the Anchor Inn Barcombe cannot buy the rights to the river. It is just not possible. It is possible for him to stop you using the land he owns for launching your kayaks from. But he does not own the road, the track to the bridge, the bridge or the land on the other side of the river. The farmer who owns this land allows public access to this land (and to kayaks). With a little thought I am sure you can work out how to launch your kayaks quite easily.
You could have a nice picnic on the bank opposite the Anchor Inn too... perhaps gaining some amusement watching the unhappy diners complaining about the food and service.
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On 1 Jun 2009 at 2:17pm riverboy wrote:
Yes indeed, It's all looking pretty grim down at the Anchor...It's always had an odd reputation but not like this.
There's a new owner, and the b****hit is coming through thick and fast.
Dogs are no longer allowed in and there's a distinct whiff of cash-tacky in the air. Prices up...standards down, and the scottish manager told my parents that they hope to make it "more of an attraction than just a country pub".
All charm has dissappeared. Be prepared to queue up to be let down.
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On 8 Jun 2009 at 8:36pm Clare Dadswell wrote:
hi there.. as an old member of staff at the anchor inn and boating, it was a true pleasure to work there for three years.. however 2 months ago when the new owner ( apparently a fantastic businessman ) has ruined the Anchor.. the cheap decor that are apparently laura ahsley chairs with trading 4 you labels on them have really turned the bar into a 70's showroom. i sadly had to leave my job at the Anchor due to the rudeness of the "manager" and "owner". at the end of my last shift i pulled the owner to one side and calmly told him i was going to leave due to the lack of respect he shows his staff and not to forget the customers. After saying this the new manager told me to get off the premises with his walkie talkie held firmly in his hand (what a true proffessional). Barred or not i would not return to the anchor as a customer for the following reasons. rude staff.. lack of charm .. overpriced wine.. no dogs allowed.. and not to mention the smell of cigarette smoke weirdly aroming inside the pub ( how funny). if your thinking of taking a picnic to the anchor and decide to walk by the river not owned by the anchor you will be stopped asked for parking money and most probably barred..
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On 9 Jun 2009 at 2:40pm samntha wrote:
I have been down to the anchor under the new management and i have to say i was pleasently suprised to see the place looking alot smarter and now looking like a real country pub. Also i was pleased to see the boats are being renevated so i can now happly go out on the boats and not have to aboat sinking or catching something. The staff are all welcoming and pleasent and all looking smart in the same uniform. on the bar. i am looking forward to seeing how else they can improve this pub as i feel that with the right owner and management this place could be a gold mine and i think that Simon and keith are the right men for the job....
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On 10 Jun 2009 at 11:09am BoatingBoy wrote:
Great. Posts by an ex-member of staff and then a current member of staff
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On 10 Jun 2009 at 11:46am loulou34 wrote:
I think the current member of staff's post is written by either Mr Pratt himself of the not so lovely Keith, certaily not by a customer!! my advice - next time use a dictionary
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On 10 Jun 2009 at 12:10pm Ratty wrote:
Droves of day trippers, nature-lovers, families, picnickers, canoeists, fishermen, dog walkers etc have been enjoying Barcombe Mills since the inception of the railway in the 1800's. What a pity that people with responsibility do not understand the nature of the river and banksides here (piped pop-music over the water!) where traditionally people have rubbed along pretty well.
The recent new owner of the Anchor has definitely not bought the exclusive boating rights for £50,000, as claimed, from the Env Agency. I have been reliably told that he has also not bought the opposite bank with public footpath from the farmer as he has told some. Note that the opposite bank downriver of the concrete bridge is owned by a different farmer. I have met other family canoeists who have told me that the manager told them the above and was extremely unpleasant to them turning them away when they tried to moor there to have lunch. As I understand it, the Navigation Act of around 1812 still holds and allows passage of boats (not motorboats) up the catchment but does not grant landing rights on private land i.e. the pub's own bankside.
I have heard from a local resident that there were three car accidents involving racer patrons on the narrow access road over a short period. A reflection of the changing clientele?
I also heard that Mark who lived adjoining and with his late brother was a well-liked addition to the pub for many years was hoofed out immediately as were the only decent (husband and wife) managers that the Anchor had seen for a long time. Still, something hopefully has improved as I remember way back when people of colour were not made to feel welcome. Dogs were. What is it about this pub that it has attracted inappropriate owners. Signs of the times? Dosh and rudeness rule.
Local govts allowance of the sale of the historic Anglers Rest at Barcombe Mills as a private house was a disgrace. When the good landlords, the Whiteheads owned it, it was fabulous, generous-spirited, community-minded and profitable.
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On 10 Jun 2009 at 7:44pm bumblebee wrote:
i recently visisted the anchor inn after many years of not going there. i found out that it has turned into a complete and utter disaster. the manager standing behind the bar didnt have a clue.. he couldnt tell the difference between harveys and a pint of Fosters. i certainly will not be returning with my wife and kids to the Anchor inn.. not to mention no dogs allowed.. WHAT?! Samntha doesnt really sound like a customer due to his positive thought on the manager and the new owner AKA Mr Pratt.
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On 10 Jun 2009 at 8:15pm goldie hills wrote:
I visited the anchor at the wk end and thought i had walked into the ANCHOR but realised i had entered a time warp.....my partner and our children used to love spending time here,now you get very rude staff,and dirty glasses amongst lots more,the main thing that got to my partner and i was that we were having dinner with our 2 young children and as i am led to believe the currant owner Mr Pratt was smoking a cigar in the bar.....the other point that is annoying is that Mr Pratt does no longer allow dogs but it seems to me it was his dog running in and out of the bars!!!!!!!I think health and safety should be informed of the smoking and the mess/dirtiness i could see behind the bar,will not be going here again it is a shame
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On 10 Jun 2009 at 8:48pm loulou34 wrote:
A letter to Environmental Health at Lewes District Council should do the trick.
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On 10 Jun 2009 at 9:06pm Gilly Maywood wrote:
My partner and I moved to Sussex last year and visited the Anchor several times and were considering it a wedding venue for our civil partnership ceremony next summer as it was a splendid pub in an outstanding area, the managers (husband and wife) and the staff (mother and son??) had an extremly witty raport having the customers laughing loudly we thought it was great. So the other week a nice hot sunny day we decided to make our 1st appearance of the year and to our complete and utter dismay the managers have been replaced by what can only be described as 'the GAY COCK'. The owner being unbelievably worse. They ban dogs, children, and people trying to enjoy a pleasant day on the river. They are rude beyond belief. We were astounded by it all. The service was appalling and the food took so long we thought they had either lost our order or had had to go and kill the lamb 1st. Then when it did turn up was only lukewarm. Needless to say we so DID NOT mention our wedding, another reason being that some of our guests were hoping to stay overnight.... but GAY COCK'S sidekick aka the OWNER aka MR PRATT now lives there so thats that idea totally gone down the toilet. Therefore we shall be finding a new pub to visit this summer. such a shame. IF anyone knows where the original staff have gone please let us know.
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On 12 Jun 2009 at 12:27pm Deb Riddle wrote:
I also used to work at this pub. I've been saddened to hear the negative comments following the change in ownership. I may even take a trip down there the next time i'm in sussex to check it out. Whilst I disagree with the ban on dogs i'm in favour of the ban on children inside the pub. The bar itself never held a family liscence and therefore children were technically not allowed into the bar. When I was younger and went to the pub with my parents i remember my dad making my brothers and I wait outside until he asked to barstaff if children were permitted. Not once did anyone ask me this during my 2 year employment. Instead they used to allow their children to do what the wanted in the bar, including using the bar itself as a seating platform. So I would say bravo on this point, but no kudos for the rest of the alterations!
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On 13 Jun 2009 at 8:11pm Laugh wrote:
The thing to do is get a load of people to take a kayak to the anchor and drop them in from the other side of the river,take a picnic/b.bq,and watch Mr Pratt try to stop us all as he can not do nout about it as its not his land....and watch the smoke stream out from his ears.
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On 13 Jun 2009 at 9:09pm Jezabel wrote:
I so love skinny dipping in the river of a hot weekend - a lovely pic nic taken on the river bank and a boat trip to the falls, do you think I would get barred?????
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On 17 Jun 2009 at 11:07am riverboy wrote:
The brewery told us that the bank holiday max is 25k...There's no more capacity. They're all full of bul sh*t down there now.
Would love to know whether the boating is properly licensed and fully insured? We have always been told that the pub is uninsurable because of flooding. They've cut the hedges down to see who's using the car park too.
Looks terrible. but then...it's an earner.

It's a sorry state of things when the feeling runs this high.

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On 21 Jun 2009 at 1:54am Enigma Boy wrote:
Don't owners of country pubs realise that they need to appeal to people who like the countryside - they probably have a dog and a family and want somewhere that they'll be welcomed with both. In my view, walk on past the Anchor and try the welcome at the Laughing Fish.
 
 
On 24 Jun 2009 at 9:08am Sue and ALan wrote:
Yes indeed this unique quirky pub with its rusticness(that was part of its charm) has been totally ruined. It doesn't look smarter, it's starting to looks tacky and as for the uniforms, it will soon be like a Harvester!!!!!!!!!!!
We got married there in 2007, it was the most wonderfull venue, Bernadette, Robin and Clare made it the most amazing day, and we have visited at least once a week since. A nice walk with the dogs and a pint or bite to eat after and always made to feel really welcome, our old dog even had her own bit of bed laid out in front of the wood burner when it was cold
We had intended to spend our aniversary there each year as we did last year, but there no accomodation now, so thats out the window.
Never spoken to the new owner, he was there once earlier in the year, before he bought the pub and we saw him smoking in the bar and his kids were taking stuff from behind the bar (maybe he should ban them). We went there the first Sunday he took over to find no dogs allowed in the bar. It was to warm to leave the dogs in the car, but not quite warm enough to sit out, we stayed for a bit shivering in the garden with our dogs under control only to be annoyed by his dog who was running round the garden pestering our dogs. Theres a big sign saying dogs must be under control, talk abaout double standards
Personally I wouldn't trust a 'shooting man' who has to have bullet hole transfers on his Landy. A Chav with to much money, and he's wrecked our local. We will not use any pub that does not allow dog's. My suggestion to others is to use the Laughing fish at Isfield where Any and Linda will always make you welcome, wellies, dogs and all.
What I dont think Mr Pratt (as you all seem to have named him) realises is that the pub may have lots of customers in the summer, but for example, take us, the two Marks, Peter, Alan and Bill away and he has lost most of his winter trade. Silly Man.
We certainly will not be going there again, to many shiny Range Rovers and Audi's for my liking
 
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On 24 Jun 2009 at 2:40pm bella wrote:
I resently went to the anchor where i was surprised at how bad it had got
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On 25 Jun 2009 at 10:00am Sue and ALan wrote:
We got married at the Anchor in 2007, Bernadette, Robin, Clare and chef were really great and definitely helped to make it a day to remember. They couldnt have been more helpful.
Part of the attraction was the rustic quirkiness of the place, different from other pupb and perhaps in a bit of a time warp but that added to the charm. We loved it so much that it became our local and we would visit at least once a week. It was great to take the dogs for a walk and pop in for a pint and something to eat. We made several friends there, the two Marks, Peter, Alan and Bill among others who will all be using other pubs.
The new owner has totally destroyed the atmosphere, chintzy furnishings, music and no dogs. He has no idea what the pub is about, it has no passing trade and because it is out of the way people go there for a reason in the summer its the boats and weddings but out of season it relies on people wanting a wekend in the country, fishermen, hikers, dog walkers and regulars for the majority of its trade.
We were there just before he bought the place and he was already swaning around like he owned it. He was smoking in the bar and his kids were taking crisps and drinks from behind the bar. On the first Sunday he took over we went there to give him a chance, first thing no dogs allowed in the bar, it was a sunny day, to warm to leave dogs in the car but not warm enough to sit out, so we stayed for a while in the garden. There is a sign in the garden that says dog to be kept on leads under control, ours were on leads but his was running round the garden interfering with them.
He had changed his beer supplier and we found choice of drinks limited, when we asked the staff about this they were quite rude and said it was his pub he could do what he liked, so we finished our drinks and left never to return. To many shinny Range Rover and Audi types for our liking and as for his Landy, a shooting man with bullet hole transfers says it all really!!!
I understand from others that the new owner is in disput with just about everyone previosuly connected to the Anchor
We will be using the Laughing Fish just across the river, you always get a warm welcome from Linda and Andy and dogs and real shooting people are welcome to.
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On 25 Jun 2009 at 11:43am Sue PArr wrote:
HAs this thread been closed as tried to post twice without success
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On 29 Jun 2009 at 12:04am justin t wrote:
after spending a small fortune on hiring boats we were challenged by pub staff when we tried to cross the bridge to picnic in the field opposite with our small and hungry children - won't be back and will spread the word about these money grabbing so and sos who have completely ruined what use to be such a perfect place for a day out


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