The Old Pier

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 07 Mar 2005, 19:17

From today's EN:

Punch hits target with Old Pier deal

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 07 Mar 2005, 19:28

So what is Utopia like then?

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 07 Mar 2005, 19:31

The Scotman said Punch has

442 pubs in Scotland

.

Don't I damn well know it!! For months I've been dealing with the registration of the blessed things at work. Punch also own the Figgate Whins [as Pubmaster Ltd] as well as the Pop-In and the Tides Inn. And they own thousands of pubs in Ingerland. Used to be Alloa Breweries etc.

They also own some tasteful pubs!!

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 07 Mar 2005, 20:33

I've just staggered home from the Old Pier in the interests of getting local knowledge.

They are going to turn it into a smart pub with wooden floors and a seafood restaurant with linen tablecloths. It'll be decorated in light creams and browns.

Hopefully they'll also get permission to open up the bay window and allow awnings so people can sit outside to enjoy balmy Edinburgh days.

It will be called Utopia Beach Life.

Their pub on Leith Walk called Utopia gives a good idea of the superior style.

The bar staff were very enthusiastic. I can't wait!!

Now we need to make sure that we have Retail outlets at the new build opposite to complement this imaginative development.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 07 Mar 2005, 20:39

Sounds fantastic. Just what Portobello has been waiting for and I can't wait to try it out.

(As long as 'seafood restaurant' doesn't mean scampi in a basket)

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 07 Mar 2005, 20:40

Brian that sounds superb. I think it will work big time. Portobello will now have at least 3 if not 4 creditable eating places.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 07 Mar 2005, 20:44

Whereabouts in Leith is Utopia - I seem to recall seeing the name somewhere but can't remember exactly where?

DG · Post by DG » 07 Mar 2005, 21:26

This is great news! What a perfect place for a seafood restaurant. Wouldn't it be great if Punch realised the great demand for this type of establishment in Portobello and reburbished the Figgate Whins into a bistro? Hope they ready this forum

DG

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 07 Mar 2005, 21:32

Easy. Phone up the company, get an email address for the CEO and send him/her this link:

http://porty.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1172

So, have we found a location for the next POL night out?

DG · Post by DG » 07 Mar 2005, 21:34

Thanks, Bob - I'll do that!

DG

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 07 Mar 2005, 21:59

This sounds great, just what Portobello needs. Looking forward to trying it out

DG · Post by DG » 07 Mar 2005, 22:07

I have just e-mailed Punch taverns suggesting

that the Figgate Whins has a similar refurbishment and change of service provision. I e-mailed this address Enquiries@punchtaverns.com <Enquiries@punchtaverns.com> if anyone else wishes to write too with their comments and views. Perhaps the more they hear from us about what we would like to happen in our areas, the more seriously they might take us. If anyone has a more direct e-mail address please let me know.

DG

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 07 Mar 2005, 22:07

Hopefully the success of places like Dalriada and Sizzlers is starting to attract some quality bars/restaurants here.

Bob, think we might be spoiled for choice for the next POL night-out - who would have thought we'd be saying that a year ago

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 07 Mar 2005, 22:12

ecm wrote:Whereabouts in Leith is Utopia - I seem to recall seeing the name somewhere but can't remember exactly where?

ecm, it's near the top of Easter Road, on the left as you go up. And no, I haven't been in......surprisingly

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 07 Mar 2005, 22:40

Brilliant news!

A trendy place to eat and drink in Porty! Old Pier has been needing a facelift for years. Hope they do up Figgate Whins too. DG wouldn't that be fantastic to have a decent pub at the top of the street!

DG · Post by DG » 07 Mar 2005, 23:02

Sandra, that would be soooo good - especially if they did food. Just a few steps home... Ahhh...bliss

DG

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 08 Mar 2005, 10:26

Look at their Web site for the Figgate Whins - up for lease.

www.punchpubs.co.uk/

Can't find out about current pubs by name.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 15 Mar 2005, 11:21

MrSpoon wrote;

Went to the Old Pier instead - very quiet, but not too bad I must say

Have they started the make-over yet MrS?

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 15 Mar 2005, 12:07

when walking the dog noticed they had taken the wallpaper off in the back bit by the fire.

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 15 Mar 2005, 14:26

As I understand it they will be setting up the restaurant in the back area and moving the kitchen eventually to where the Ladies toilets are.

The Ladies toilet will be moved to where the current kitchen is. The bar will be made smaller.

There will be a number of interim changes while they obtain permissions for all of the work.

They expect to close for a short while as they rip out the current flooring and put in the new hardwood floors.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 15 Mar 2005, 14:28

Hurrah, that old carpet is horrible, wooden floors much better!

MrSpoon · Post by **MrSpoon** » 15 Mar 2005, 17:01

Yea, the back section is clsoed off and stripped.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » 15 Mar 2005, 17:03

Brian McCrow wrote:Hopefully they'll also get permission to open up the bay window and allow awnings so people can sit outside to enjoy balmy Edinburgh days.

Brian McCrow wrote:It will be called Utopia Beach Life..

I hate the name! Why can't they have something appropriate to the locality?

Brian McCrow wrote:The Ladies toilet will be moved to where the current kitchen is

That'll be about the 3rd. or 4th time theyve moved them - makes it damn difficult to get to the right place when you've had a few!

Having said all of which, I agree it will be nice to have a good place to eat on the seafront. I'm just worried that actual pubs, where you can go just for a drink and a crack are fast disappearing.

DG · Post by DG » 15 Mar 2005, 19:14

I e-mailed Punch about the plans for the Old Pier and with suggestions for the Figgate Whins and received a very nice and promising reply today from Sue Allen, their Operations Director for Scotland. I had also e-mailed a link to the forum. Thought I'd share it with you:

Denise,

Thanks for your email below, which was forwarded to me by one of my Area Managers, Elaine.
I'm Operations Director for Scotland for Punch.

What a fantastic website for Portobello! Didn't even know it existed.
We do indeed have a number of pubs in Portobello and are planning an investment at the Figgate Whins - your comments are welcomed...
I've just registered on the website so, once the account is 'activated' (or so it says) then I'll open up the forum for everyones' comments. The business will be on the market for lease, so maybe a resident will be interested!

The Old Pier will certainly be a fantastic place once the works are finished - you should visit Utopia on Easter Road to see the standard of what our lessee, Ally Tillbrook, will do there. We'll make sure you get an invite to the opening!

Really nice to get a response and great to hear that they are interested in our thoughts and comments.

DG

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 16 Mar 2005, 12:51

Yes, and welcome to Sue Allen - good of you to stick your neck out and identify yourself!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 16 Mar 2005, 15:38

Well done Sue and welcome. DG is there nothing you won't do for the possibility of a free drink?

As a matter of interest the owner of Sizzlers is a regular observer of the Forum and is delighted with the feedback he gets here. If Punch can deliver another quality eating place to Portobello we will have 4, a 300% increase from about a Year ago and we have the Indian Oop stiil to come. (And im not counting Pizza Hut)

I know Wetherspoons looked at the Royal Hotel site a few years ago but decided it was too small. I believe it will onlt take perhaps two more decent eating places to put Portobello on the culinary map.

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 16 Mar 2005, 16:12

Congratulations Sue for coming on the Forum. We would also welcome you to the Portobello Community Council where we have representatives from different parts of the Community. We are currently working on a Strategic plan for Portobello along with our very active Local Councillors - they appear on the front page of this Web site.

I personally would like a Wine bar/Bistro in Portobello to balance the many pubs.

DG · Post by DG » 16 Mar 2005, 20:21

DG is there nothing you won't do for the possibility of a free drink?

Eh...

...no.

DG

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 16 Mar 2005, 22:56

Brian McCrow wrote:I personally would like a Wine bar/Bistro in Portobello to balance the many pubs.

I'd like this too.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 16 Mar 2005, 23:00

DG wrote:The business will be on the market for lease, so maybe a resident will be interested!

I would be very interested but don't have any money behind me and couldn't afford to give up job, got mortgage to pay etc.

But its one of these things, it would be great to do. (and with a catering/bar background - though not worked behind a bar for over 10 years!)

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 17 Mar 2005, 22:19

Welcome Sue and good for you for being brave enough to lay yourself open to all sorts of 'opinions' on here! It would be brilliant if you took on board some of what the locals want in the Figgate Whins. Portobello is crying out for a decent pub - you only have to have a brief visit to the rest to see what we mean

It's been a dump for years so now's the chance and time to change it into something decent. Good luck and here's hoping.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 24 Apr 2005, 19:50

Anyone tried Utopia Beach Life yet then? I popped in for a swift half this evening. It's looking good - nice decor, much brighter and cleaner looking. The chef was propping up the bar, as a last-minute hitch with the extraction means that the kitchen won't be operating for another couple of weeks or so, but he tells me he is looking forward to serving up fresh fish.

I believe an official opening night is planned for 5 May. Perhaps Sue has more details?

I will get a menu up on the forum as soon as one becomes available. Meantime, here's a link to their Utopia Bar Life website:

http://www.utopiabarlife.co.uk

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 25 Apr 2005, 11:27

Bob Jefferson wrote:.... but he tells me he is looking forward to serving up fresh fish.

How do you get people to tell you stuff like that?

DG · Post by DG » 25 Apr 2005, 16:27

Bob Jefferson wrote:
.... but he tells me he is looking forward to serving up fresh fish.

How do you get people to tell you stuff like that?

Porty, Bob has a rare talent.

DG

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 25 Apr 2005, 19:10

it looks fabby looking forward to to sampling some fresh fish soon, though might manage a drink this weekend.

When is the next POL night out and where?