Another Camberwell pub in trouble - Hoopers real ale pub in Camberwell

[golightly]

The main problem is that no one's heard of the pub and that's hardly a massive problem to fix. He just needs to get off his arse and make some effort.

You could give him some pointers on promotion.

 

[editor]

You could give him some pointers on promotion.

I already have but he could start by posting here.

 

[golightly]

He could indeed. Thing is Camberwell has already got loads of good pubs and Hoopers is just too far from transport routes to attract people, which is why I think that the locals trade is the only option he really has.

 

[editor]

He could indeed. Thing is Camberwell has already got loads of good pubs and Hoopers is just too far from transport routes to attract people, which is why I think that the locals trade is the only option he really has.

As is getting local newspapers, bloggers and social media talking about the place. Put of the way pubs can prosper but it takes effort, enthusiasm and seeking out an unusual niche.

 

[Guineveretoo]

That's a bit unfair! You may not have heard of the pub, but others certainly have, and he did a lot of promotional stuff when he first opened, and since.

I think the problem is something different, although I'm not sure what. I've suggested lack of food as a factor. Another one might be that the staff keep changing, so there's no familiarity for locals. Perhaps the owner's grumpiness has manifested itself too often. Or perhaps it's just the vicious cycle that, because he's not getting the custom, he can't keep the beers going, so people get pints that are off?

But whatever it is, it's not true that the owner is lazy and hasn't tried.

 

[Guineveretoo]

And I agree about the "niche". Perhaps that's the real issue. I'm trying to think how I'd describe the pub to someone if I wanted them to go there.

It's a back street real ale pub. The only good thing I can think of is that it's usually quiet. Hardly a reason for going some distance off the beaten track, and without another pub or restaurant nearby to move on to...

 

[editor]

That's a bit unfair! You may not have heard of the pub, but others certainly have, and he did a lot of promotional stuff when he first opened, and since.

I think the problem is something different, although I'm not sure what. I've suggested lack of food as a factor. Another one might be that the staff keep changing, so there's no familiarity for locals. Perhaps the owner's grumpiness has manifested itself too often. Or perhaps it's just the vicious cycle that, because he's not getting the custom, he can't keep the beers going, so people get pints that are off?

But whatever it is, it's not true that the owner is lazy and hasn't tried.

I didn't say he was lazy, but it seems pretty obvious he hasn't made that much of an effort to promote the place over things like social media and websites because just about no one here seems to have even heard of the place.

I certainly haven't and I "do" pubs.

 

[Citizen66]

If there's other real ale pubs in the area that are more easily accessible, why would people wander further to check this place out?

I'm actually surprised that there's such real ale competition going on, given that in some parts of London decent real ale boozers are as rare as hen's teeth.

Given that he can't compete from a real ale point of view, what can he offer that his competition doesn't cater for? I've been known to walk the extra mile past good pubs to a particular one in the past if they have a decent juke box loaded with interesting music, for starters. Although that's quite an investment for a pub that's currently on its ass. I don't care too much for food or quizzes. If I want food I'll go to a restaurant and quizzes kill the atmosphere if you're not interested in that, same as sport does.

 

[golightly]

I didn't say he was lazy, but it seems pretty obvious he hasn't made that much of an effort to promote the place over things like social media and websites because just about no one here seems to have even heard of the place.

I certainly haven't and I "do" pubs.

There have been meet ups there that have been arranged on urban which Guinevere can attest.

e2a: I really don't think it's just about promotion. The pub needs something to promote. As c66 said - something to walk past other pubs for.

 

[Guineveretoo]

I didn't say he was lazy, but it seems pretty obvious he hasn't made that much of an effort to promote the place over things like social media and websites because just about no one here seems to have even heard of the place.

I certainly haven't and I "do" pubs.

Actually, I got the impression from this thread that most people had heard of it, but just didn't go there, or had only been there once...

I do think he could have done more with social media and the internet more generally, but I was trying to make the point that, for a while at least, his promotion worked and the pub became popular. But I guess even real ale aficionados would want somewhere to eat, or a different pub nearby to try, or public transport to get to and from the pub? Frankly, I don't know why it stopped being popular.

 

[Guineveretoo]

There have been meet ups there that have been arranged on urban which Guinevere can attest.

e2a: I really don't think it's just about promotion. The pub needs something to promote. As c66 said - something to walk past other pubs for.

Yes, I think this is the point. As I said earlier up the thread, I can't think of a hook to try and attract people, other than it being quiet, which is not always an attraction, unless you want to have a deep and meaningful conversation with someone and, in fact, it's probably too quiet for that, because the bar staff would probably hear you!

And yes, there have been urban meets in there!

 

[Ms T]

My mate used to live opposite Hoopers, which is the only reason I know where it is. It's in East Dulwich though, not Camberwell.

 

[Guineveretoo]

My mate used to live opposite Hoopers, which is the only reason I know where it is. It's in East Dulwich though, not Camberwell.

Honestly, it's in Camberwell, although it claims to be in East Dulwich!

My mate also lives opposite it, which is how I know.

 

[golightly]

Call it East Camberwich.

Actually, there's a major problem right there. No one can agree where it is.

 

[Ms T]

It's probably on the border between the two, like my house is between Brixton and Herne Hill.

 

[spanglechick]

I went once, for someone's birthday. It really is about as far from a bus stop as anywhere in zone 2/3 can be. I would never go again for that reason. Although maybe if Reginald D Hunter really has been doing a gig... Might be worth the hike. Maybe a comedy club would be the answer? Since the one at the hobgoblin closed, there's a lack of a regular comedy venue - tho obv the half moon in herne hill occasionally does it, as do others I guess.

But a comedy club isn't regular mon-sun trade. Not often.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

And I agree about the "niche". Perhaps that's the real issue. I'm trying to think how I'd describe the pub to someone if I wanted them to go there.

It's a back street real ale pub. The only good thing I can think of is that it's usually quiet. Hardly a reason for going some distance off the beaten track, and without another pub or restaurant nearby to move on to...

Yeah, I'd describe it as generally 'nice'. It's a good pub, most things about it are decent IMO. But there's nothing about it to get me to go there regularly over the many other options that are more convenient (even before we moved house when it was a bit closer).

And all the social media in the world isn't going to change that - they're really never going to be getting regular visitors from Brixton.

 

[golightly]

they're really never going to be getting regular visitors from Brixton.

tbf, it's bloody difficult getting people out of Brixton generally. Some sort of gravitational force acting on Coldharbour Lane I believe.

 

[Guineveretoo]

I went once, for someone's birthday. It really is about as far from a bus stop as anywhere in zone 2/3 can be. I would never go again for that reason. Although maybe if Reginald D Hunter really has been doing a gig... Might be worth the hike. Maybe a comedy club would be the answer? Since the one at the hobgoblin closed, there's a lack of a regular comedy venue - tho obv the half moon in herne hill occasionally does it, as do others I guess.

But a comedy club isn't regular mon-sun trade. Not often.

There used to be a bus stop pretty much outside, but the locals objected, and it was moved! But it is not far away, if you are on the route of the P13. HTH.

They did run a comedy night there which was very successful - I am not sure what happened with that.

On a slight derail, which comedy club has closed? The one at the Hob in Forest Hill is still running, isn't it?

 

[editor]

There have been meet ups there that have been arranged on urban which Guinevere can attest.

e2a: I really don't think it's just about promotion. The pub needs something to promote. As c66 said - something to walk past other pubs for.

Yes. And then you promote that, just like I have to do when I put on a club night that's competing with loads of other club nights. You have to work out what's special, good and unique about the place and then tell the world.

As it is, all I've learnt about the pub is that it exists and sells real ale.

 

[spanglechick]

There used to be a bus stop pretty much outside, but the locals objected, and it was moved! But it is not far away, if you are on the route of the P13. HTH.

They did run a comedy night there which was very successful - I am not sure what happened with that.

On a slight derail, which comedy club has closed? The one at the Hob in Forest Hill is still running, isn't it?

Yup - and does at least three nights a week. The hobgoblin is where the hootenanny took over in Brixton. They used to do a monthly comedy club there. Quite big names.

 

[Guineveretoo]

Yup - and does at least three nights a week. The hobgoblin is where the hootenanny took over in Brixton. They used to do a monthly comedy club there. Quite big names.

Oh, okay. I was worried for a minute

The Hob in Forest Hill used to be called the Hobgoblin, you see, when it was part of the same chain as the one in Brixton

 

[golightly]

As it is, all I've learnt about the pub is that it exists and sells real ale.

Not much more to say than that. It would be a shame if it went, but at this point it doesn't look like it'll be greatly missed, seeing as hardly anyone was aware of its existence.

 

[Miss-Shelf]

I really enjoyed the elvis night last year
had to get a cab there and back though

spangles idea of a commedy club is good

 

[Maggot]

They are doing a comedy benefit night on 2nd December, in aid of Fareshare.

A good chance to support the pub and a worthwhile charity.



Hoopers Charity Comedy Night in aid of

Join us for some top class comedy and the opportunity to sample the extensive range of beers & ales this cozy pub has to offer.

What Hoopers Charity Comedy Night
Who Comedians Nick Revell, Keith Platt, Annabel O'Connell, Tom Hayward, David Hannant and MC Siôn James
When Sunday 2 December 2012
Where Hoopers, 28 Ivanhoe Road, East Dulwich, London, SE5 8DH
Time Doors open at 7.00pm and the show begins at 8.00pm
Book email info@hoopersbar.co.uk or call Hoopers on 020 7733 4797 to reserve a table
Transport BR: East Dulwich / Denmark Hill/Peckham Rye, Tube: Oval/Brixton, Bus P13, 40, 176, 185, 484

More info jessjam5@hotmail.com or text 077 3480 5817


Entry is free. There will be a collection for audience donations with all proceeds going to FareShare.

The Acts
· Nick Revell
Multi-Award Winning Comedian Legend and Emmy & BAFTA Award winning writer for Drop the Dead Donkey.
A master craftsman Time Out
Scalpel-sharp satirist Evening Standard
Satirically brilliant...travel miles to see him Guardian
· Keith Platt
Brilliant, like a Yorkshire Al Murray Daily Mail
Unmissable Time Out
· Annabel O'Connell
Finalist in Dublin’s Laughter Lounge Craic Attack Comedy Competition 2012
Annabel O'Connell should have been a nun because she has so many bad habits
· Tom Hayward
Semi-finalist in So You Think You’re Funny
Hayward is a name to watch Metro
· David Hannant
Finalist of Up The Creek 'One To Watch' competition 2011
Charming, clever and quality ThreeWeeks
Intelligent wit, expertly delivered thenewkid.co.uk
· MC Siôn James
Sion James bases his set around interaction with the audience and reminds us what stand-up should be as he riffs expertly 3 weeks EdFringe

 

[Guineveretoo]

I wish they wouldn't put their comedy night on a Sunday, though!

 

[editor]

Tell 'em to mail their details to brixtonbuzz.com

 

[Guineveretoo]

It has reopened, but only at weekends.

There were 3 people in there on Saturday night, apparently.

 

[editor]

We've still received nothing at brixtnbuzz.

 

[Guineveretoo]

We've still received nothing at brixtnbuzz.

Did you email them about it? I didn't, although I did message them on facebook about it.

I seem to have slipped off their email list, since I didn't even get the info about the comedy night which Maggot quoted above.