Local licensees celebrate 23 years in pub
January 14, 2015
Pat and Tony Read, licensees at the Flower Pot in Aston
“We thought we’d maybe stay between three and six years,” says Pat Thatcher, licensee with partner Tony Read at the Flower Pot in Aston. The fact that the couple will celebrate 23 years at the Brakspear pub on 21 January this year is testament to their natural talent as landlords, creating a welcoming, friendly environment for their diverse group of customers.
The Flower Pot was Pat & Tony’s local back in 1992, and when they learned that the landlord was leaving, they decided to try their hand at running it. Although Pat had worked in the catering industry, Tony was a builder – so taking the keys to a pub was something of a leap of faith. “We didn’t think too hard about it,” says Tony. “If we had, we probably wouldn’t be here now!”
Sited close to the Thames Path, the Flower Pot is a popular stopping point, particularly in the summer when its large garden is enjoyed by walkers, families, cyclists – and their dogs, of course. Winters are quieter, but there is still plenty to attract customers to the Flower Pot: well-kept beers and home cooked food, entertainment including darts and poker tournaments.
The Flower Pot also has an unusual boast, as home to the UK’s largest private collection of cased fish, with more than 100 adorning its walls, including a 50+lb pike. “We get a lot of fishing parties in here, so it’s a relevant theme and it gets customers talking,” says Tony.
The Flower Pot’s other claim to fame is as a location for movie and TV filming, with several shot in or near the pub, including The Sculptress starring Pauline Quirke, The Poacher, Miss Marple and Pie in the Sky.
The world has changed since Pat & Tony moved into the Flower Pot, but the pub itself hasn’t changed too much. Pat says, “We sell more food now than we used to, which is in line with the rest of the pub industry, but the heart of our offer is the same now as it was 23 years ago: a warm, relaxed atmosphere and friendly service, extended to all our guests whether they’re long-standing regulars or visiting for the first time.”
Tony added, “We’ve enjoyed almost every minute of our time at the Flower Pot, and I think that comes through in how guests experience the pub – if we weren’t happy, they wouldn’t be either.”
Tom Davies, Brakspear chief executive, added, “We congratulate Tony & Pat on their impressive track record at the Flower Pot. The past 23 years have not been easy ones for the pub industry, but the Flower Pot has thrived thanks to Tony & Pat’s skill and hard work. We’re delighted to have had them within the Brakspear family for all these years and hope they will stay with us for a while longer.”
Caption to above image: Pat Thatcher & Tony Read, licensees of the Flower Pot in Aston