Victoria Gardens

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Sam Handwich said:
Good afternoon everyone. As many of you know, we have been fighting a losing battle with Heineken over costs. We have finally lost, and as of next Tuesday, the pub will be closed. We have explored every possibility to keep the pub open, but Heineken, keep sticking extra costs in wherever possible. This was also exacerbated by our own council, who claim that the building rooms should be rented out, whilst Heineken said we would be taken to court if we did. Because of Heineken’s stance, the council doubled the council tax as a penalty. When we presented this to the council, they said it was not their problem. Ladies and Gentleman, we present to you the constant struggle businesses in Sunderland face. We will be having a leaving party this Sunday, to give us the opportunity to say bye to all those, we feel privileged to of become friends with. On personal note, we thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you from all the Staff at the Vic and we hope you all stay in touch.
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Uesd to be my local about 15 years ago before we moved abroad, great little pub. Sad, so sad.
 
max wartbug said:
Quote from the op!!

This was also exacerbated by our own council, who claim that the building rooms should be rented out, whilst Heineken said we would be taken to court if we did. Because of Heineken’s stance, the council doubled the council tax as a penalty. When we presented this to the council, they said it was not their problem

Appears both the council and the brewery have been less than helpful.
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At a guess I'd say those rooms would be subject to business rates, so presumably not part of the accommodation. Seems harsh but it'll be the same rules for everyone. Those rules are set by central government. Not sure what the council are supposed to do to help. Unless they've inspected it and agreed those rooms should be subjected to rates.
 
Apparently they were paying more rent and getting less barrel discount than what used to be beehive/BION etc right in the town centre (and even that can't stay open for more than five minutes).

Breweries need to wake up and realise it's not the eighties anymore and the whole drinking culture has changed with regards to realistic footfall, profits and rent or they'll be no pubs left. The stupid bastards are shooting themselves in the foot through greed as chances are the place will sit dormant now, of even worse they'll flog it off and turn it into a scummy discount frozen food store or something.
 
Marty Moose said:
Apparently they were paying more rent and getting less barrel discount than what used to be beehive/BION etc right in the town centre (and even that can't stay open for more than five minutes).

Breweries need to wake up and realise it's not the eighties anymore and the whole drinking culture has changed with regards to realistic footfall, profits and rent or they'll be no pubs left. The stupid bastards are shooting themselves in the foot through greed as chances are the place will sit dormant now, of even worse they'll flog it off and turn it into a scummy discount frozen food store or something.
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Whilst everything you say is correct, I believe the business model of some breweries is to milk the current tenants for as much as they can, while they can. There’ll be another to take their place with a pocket full of pound notes and the romanticism of running a pub.
It’s certainly not sustainable.
 
Dinsdale said:
At a guess I'd say those rooms would be subject to business rates, so presumably not part of the accommodation. Seems harsh but it'll be the same rules for everyone. Those rules are set by central government. Not sure what the council are supposed to do to help. Unless they've inspected it and agreed those rooms should be subjected to rates.
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They would be subject to business rates if they were set up to be let out as a B&B. If the set up is for someone to live there, then its council tax.
If they want to avoid paying council tax, then theyd need to rip out the bathroom & kitchen so that its not suitable for habitation.

max wartbug said:
Quote from the op!!

This was also exacerbated by our own council, who claim that the building rooms should be rented out, whilst Heineken said we would be taken to court if we did. Because of Heineken’s stance, the council doubled the council tax as a penalty. When we presented this to the council, they said it was not their problem

Appears both the council and the brewery have been less than helpful.
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But fails to say why the brewery are taking that stance, which does seem a bit odd. As someone else has pointed out, dont think this is the entire story & is more to this.
 
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Kevj said:
Whilst everything you say is correct, I believe the business model of some breweries is to milk the current tenants for as much as they can, while they can. There’ll be another to take their place with a pocket full of pound notes and the romanticism of running a pub.
It’s certainly not sustainable.
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There will come a tipping point though when their whole business becomes unsustainable and they will offload everything they own. However, in todays climate of "screw everyone for everything" that point is not in sight yet.
 
This how petrol sites are bring run in some cases
Ridiculous weekly rent,shops struggle and if they do well the rent goes up. People still falling over themselves to become tenants. Dont understand them at all.
 
Sam Handwich said:
Good afternoon everyone. As many of you know, we have been fighting a losing battle with Heineken over costs. We have finally lost, and as of next Tuesday, the pub will be closed. We have explored every possibility to keep the pub open, but Heineken, keep sticking extra costs in wherever possible. This was also exacerbated by our own council, who claim that the building rooms should be rented out, whilst Heineken said we would be taken to court if we did. Because of Heineken’s stance, the council doubled the council tax as a penalty. When we presented this to the council, they said it was not their problem. Ladies and Gentleman, we present to you the constant struggle businesses in Sunderland face. We will be having a leaving party this Sunday, to give us the opportunity to say bye to all those, we feel privileged to of become friends with. On personal note, we thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you from all the Staff at the Vic and we hope you all stay in touch.
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surely it's up to you or the brewery to designate the use of rooms.
Renting rooms may not be compatible with the current function of the business
If that's the case then if the snug is not being used you could say that 6 beds could be squeezed into there.
Sounds like you are sick of the whole thing
Pub trade is desparate now with greedy councils and pub co's
 
Shandy drinker said:
surely it's up to you or the brewery to designate the use of rooms.
Renting rooms may not be compatible with the current function of the business
If that's the case then if the snug is not being used you could say that 6 beds could be squeezed into there.
Sounds like you are sick of the whole thing
Pub trade is desparate now with greedy councils and pub co's
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Post #37
 
Sam Handwich said:
Good afternoon everyone. As many of you know, we have been fighting a losing battle with Heineken over costs. We have finally lost, and as of next Tuesday, the pub will be closed. We have explored every possibility to keep the pub open, but Heineken, keep sticking extra costs in wherever possible. This was also exacerbated by our own council, who claim that the building rooms should be rented out, whilst Heineken said we would be taken to court if we did. Because of Heineken’s stance, the council doubled the council tax as a penalty. When we presented this to the council, they said it was not their problem. Ladies and Gentleman, we present to you the constant struggle businesses in Sunderland face. We will be having a leaving party this Sunday, to give us the opportunity to say bye to all those, we feel privileged to of become friends with. On personal note, we thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you from all the Staff at the Vic and we hope you all stay in touch.
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Sorry for the pub shutting. Its a very nice boozer. Well done for highlighting the problems youve faced. Its important people in business in sunderland speak up. Ultimately Sunderland needs to become more welcoming for business and if youve experienced problems it should be highlighted and scrutinised. Now there wont be any council tax as a result of the business shutting plus the loss of the pub. Real shame
 
citybythesea said:
Sorry for the pub shutting. Its a very nice boozer. Well done for highlighting the problems youve faced. Its important people in business in sunderland speak up. Ultimately Sunderland needs to become more welcoming for business and if youve experienced problems it should be highlighted and scrutinised. Now there wont be any council tax as a result of the business shutting plus the loss of the pub. Real shame
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Thanks mate
 
Get yersels in the Grangetown club, the Alex or Hendon Grange instead, they'll all be glad of your custom.
 
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