A friend of mine bought this pub a while ago, however, having 2 other businesses in Newcastle he has only been to the pub twice since he has owned it (he is a geordie and lives there)

He has spent thousands doing the place up, but it seems like no one wants to go to "estate" pubs these days - he has a large function room which stands empty except for weekends.

One of the staff organised a "ladies night" a while ago and spent a month planning and advertising it - including putting over 1000 flyers through letterboxes - guess what....THIRTEEN people turned up !

He has asked me to come up with ideas that may help the pub get back to how it should be, so im turning to the people on here to come up with suggestions that may help....

And yes, I have already suggested burning it down :hihi:

One serious idea was to hire the function room out as a rehersal room for bands etc.

Things like having games nights, fishing clubs etc have already been tried in the past so ideas are a little thin on the ground at the minute.

A previous regular event was having someone playing speed garage etc on a sunday afternoon - this was nearly always packed, but as you can imagine, it didnt go down too well with the neighbours :hihi:

So, if anyone has any ideas that may help, please feel free to suggest them....

Never been, but could the function room be used in the same way as some kind of community centre? Toddler groups, book clubs, oldie's lunch clubs, tea dances, etc? Might not bring much cash in initially, but could make people more aware of what's there.

A previous regular event was having someone playing speed garage etc on a sunday afternoon - this was nearly always packed, but as you can imagine, it didnt go down too well with the neighbours :hihi:

So, if anyone has any ideas that may help, please feel free to suggest them....

I would avoid that at all costs, has a reputation of people that follow the music, just look at the venues in town that have played it and the problems it has brought with the licensing authority.

I would think playing speed garage is not a good idea - apart from annoying the neighbours you would attract all sorts of druggies .. have you tried karaoke or quizes or cheap curry nights?

The karaoke was tried a while ago and didnt work - you are right with the comments about drugs but the pub is willing to employ SIA registered door staff to try and combat this (if it goes down this route that is)

The karaoke was tried a while ago and didnt work - you are right with the comments about drugs but the pub is willing to employ SIA registered door staff to try and combat this (if it goes down this route that is)

Unless you have 50 you wont stop them! Pills can easily be taken before entry and as for the queue for the toilets expect it to be very long!!

What about making it a 'real ale' pub? That would attract people from all over. The Sheaf View is in the middle of an estate (sort of) and it's always busy.

:hihi::hihi::hihi: Ladies night on the Manor, I'm surprised even 13 turned up, there are no ladies on the Manor, just buffer girls and teen mums..:loopy:

:hihi::hihi::hihi: Ladies night on the Manor, I'm surprised even 13 turned up, there are no ladies on the Manor, just buffer girls and teen mums..:loopy:Lmao, got to agree with you on that one :hihi:

Someone must have some serious ideas though....

Lmao, got to agree with you on that one :hihi:

Someone must have some serious ideas though....

Bulldoze and build flats :D

Bulldoze and build flats :DSurely that would be the next step after my suggestion to burn it down :hihi:

Ask the regulars who go in there what they'd like to see happen. Ask them what they think would bring more people in. Get them involved.

Tried that months ago, gave them what they asked for and trade did pick up (marginally) on friday and saturday nights but the rest of the week its dead.

Weird seeing as its the biggest pub in the area - mind you, it did have a fairly bad reputation over the past few years.

Im still going with my original suggestion of torching it for the insurance :suspect:

Probably a good job its not my pub :hihi:

Most pubs these days are quiet on weekdays. The good ol' smoking ban caused that.

How about putting on live bands? Ones that will appeal to people living locally and book bands who attract a crowd. Depending on the size of the function room, you could get some bigger name bands from the local circuit in there.

Do they have a dress code, or will any colour shell suit do?

Do they have a dress code, or will any colour shell suit do?

:hihi:

Jayne

Only been there once to get my dog micro chipped, I was told that the 4 legged ones were the best talent they had seen in there for years.:hihi:

I think the problem with the Merry Monk is it's reputation. Over the years there have been some serious problems in there and so it is just a hard core of locals who continue to drink there. I have been in on several occasions and found it ok but you do feel a little intimidated by the regulars. I cant think of anything you could do to change this, its the same old story of estate pubs dwindling and reputations putting people off. At one time this pub was ranked the same as The Manor, Elm Tree, etc.

and excuse me out of all the 13 that did turn up they was all ladies i do think you should visit the manor again sheff bloke as it isnt like it used to be its all private houses now lots of lovely ladies the pub just needs to get rid of the scum that is left and it is mostly the men that go in that keeps people away