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Michael Theal wants to make The Bull a 'proper' pub
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Plans for a 'proper' pub for Bracknell town centre

By Becky Barnes
March 15, 2013

A young landlord plans to turn around the reputation of a town centre pub which has been empty for five months.

Michael Theal has taken over The Bull pub in High Street and will be operating a one strike policy to keep troublemakers out.

The 26-year-old said: “You get one chance with me – if it’s bad enough for me to have to shout at you then you’re out.

“There is not a ‘proper’ pub left like this in Bracknell so I want to turn it around and make it absolutely awesome.”

The Bracknell-born-and-bred businessman has this week signed up to the Pub and Drug Watch Scheme, uniting him with other landlords in their zero tolerance policy to drugs and the Safer Places Scheme, which means a sticker will show it is a place vulnerable people can go if they feel in danger.

He said: “The police and council have been so helpful.

“The atmosphere here has completely changed.”

The entrepreneur launched his own cleaning business three years ago, which now ‘runs itself’ meaning he can take on a new challenge. He said: “I am going to enjoy every minute of it.”

Michael has taken on the lease until 2015. He said: “I am excited about the town centre regeneration as I am in the heart of it.”

The pub has been open since February 22, and he plans to host live music every Friday night and all-day breakfasts.

He has secured a licence until 12.30am Sunday to Thursday and to 2am on Friday and Saturday.

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Most recent user comments 13 of 13

“You get one chance with me – if it’s bad enough for me to have to shout at you then you’re out." Shouting at someone is a public order offence Theal. NOT a great advert for regeneration...as for “I am excited about the town centre regeneration as I am in the heart of it.” Doesn't really reflect participation in the community methinks...let's hope this inexperienced 'Landlord' doesn't leave the Pub to 'run itself' whilst he moves onto the next thing that “He is going to enjoy every minute of.”

Timothy Jefferies, Disgraced Mayor Of Crowthorne.
09/04/2013 at 21:44

Well, we'll give it a try, but I'm not convinced!!

Mrs Biggles
26/03/2013 at 12:52

It used to be that case that, when someone took on a pub, the rent included the use of the commercial kitchen however, now the big pub companies charge extra for a would be landlord to use the kitchen for commercial purposes which is why, "pub grub" is no longer such good value for money......Gone are the days when a landlord could use his food as a loss leader to attract people in order to eventually get his beer sales up and make himself a few extra quid for the extra work: often a husband and wife team.

I think a couple of people have mentioned how difficult it is to take on a pub with a bad name and I wish the lad luck however, by trying to come across as "well hard" he may well be making a rod for his own back as I suspect, many of the old clientel will see this as a challenge and may go there just to wind up and provoke the new, young landlord.

I wonder why a pub needs such a late license, unless that was a condition attached by the freeholders which our young landlord had to go along with inorder to secure the pub.

Tonk, Wokingham
18/03/2013 at 16:53

This certainly sounds like more of the same as is already provided by other pubs in Bracknell. I've poked my head in the door and didn't feel the need to progress further.

As for freshly cooked food, not bags heated out of the freezer, I'm not sure anywhere in Bracknell serves it. When you rely on so many vagaries regarding customer numbers the cost of wastage on unsold food would pitch the menu pricing in an area few would wish to pay. The only thing seperating most pubs is the level of the mark-up they hope to get away with and the level of service they offer.

timespassing
18/03/2013 at 14:20

I wish this lad well but turning a failing pub round is an amazingly difficult task, much like turning round a failing school, and given that this government don't seem to give a monkey's toss about supporting either the pub trade or small businesses in general (I believe around half of the price of a pint goes to the government in tax), it seems unlikely that smaller places such as this can properly compete with the corporate brigade in the longer-term. For instance, Wetherspoons pubs may be characterless and unpleasant, but when they can offer drinks and plates of food at prices which the average freehouse just can’t compete with, for many people, the decision on where-to-go is a no-brainer.

Of course, many of the things that impact upon the success of a pub are down to its location and its past-reputation. Often these types of pubs rely heavily on the same ole' faces, and while I'm sure The Bull, in "the ole' days" had many upstanding members of the community enjoying a half-shandy or small glass of Babysham on a Friday evening, many people are 'put off' by ‘the types’ they see hanging-about in these places, and their reputation are usually enough to keep most non-regulars well away.

Walk up to The Goose and have a look - the cheap prices may be fantastic, but look at what they come with. Indeed, I'm no expert, but keeping the prices low is typically not the way to build-up the reputation of a good drinking establishment. So, in order to make this a venue that people from the local area will come out to – well, our man should perhaps take a leaf out of the books of places like Peacock Farm and The Golden Retriever. Whether anyone will be interested is another matter entirely.

dodgynews, Bracknell
18/03/2013 at 14:20

Think you miss-understood me Tom. When I last went into that pub, the cost of the meals were that high that I just couldn’t justify paying the prices. Fish and Chips were astronomical and the rest was just out of my league! I, like you, don’t mind paying a bit extra for good food but I simply don’t know how they could justify the prices they were charging. There are very few places these days that don’t dish up food that comes out of a packet which is sad but a reflection of our times. Everything has to be standardised which has taken the love and care out of the preparation. That’s why I pride my place on the home cooked meals I do and as you say, my overheads are not as high as some places and so I can afford to price my meals lower. That doesn’t mean they are of a lesser quality! I went into a pub in the town today and asked for a BLT. When it came out, it was diabolical. B and L with a side helping of half a T that was half cooked. Not sure how such an order can be misunderstood but when you employ robots then you can’t expect common sense to come into the equation. That pub will now not be on my list of places to go.

HK, bracknell
18/03/2013 at 14:06

Bless indeed! He seems to have forgotten the Red Lion, The Manor, and the Goose ... and that's just the pubs in the Town Centre!

I do hope that the Regeneration Company buys the pub and turns it into something decent .......

Hazel - i take issue with your earlier post ..... why must it be cheaper ?? i'll happily pay more money for good food ..... but you are in a lucky position with very low overheads. If the Bull turns to low cost food offerings nothing will be freshly cooked and everything will come out of a bag and the microwave.

Tom Edwards, Priestwood, Bracknell
18/03/2013 at 09:32

Bless, 26 years old and knows it all. He's only just ditched his short trousers from school. I wish him well but the track record of the pub doesn't boad well really.

HK, bracknell
17/03/2013 at 17:26

Lat time I was in it was awful. Loads of F'ering and Blinding with women and small children present. One guy was VERY drunk. I am not impressed so far.

Sandyandy, Warfield
16/03/2013 at 19:14

What do I look for in a pub?

A relaxed atmosphere, a good mix of people, real ale served in a real glass and at the right temperature. I like traditional, home cooked English/British food at a fair price: I don't mind paying more for better quality produce.

I don't like loud jukeboxes nor electronic games but, most of all, the pub must have a policy of NO BLOODY CHILDREN! (unless it has a garden with the kids restricted to that garden)

Tonk, Wokingham
15/03/2013 at 19:29

Just hope his food prices are less than the last lot!

HK, bracknell
15/03/2013 at 16:56

"there is not a proper pub in Bracknell" i think you'll find there is what he's trying to do pubs like the Royal Oak nr Bullbrook and others have been doing this for a few years now with CAMRA recognised real ales on draft and live music every weekend, i wish him luck but when i walked past the other day there were certainly no pilllars of the community drinking and smoking outside, it didnt look too inviting to be honest not somewhere i would think of enjoying an afternoon drink whilst shopping...sadly as the saying goes you cant polish a t*rd