Popular village pub The Griffin has closed its doors and will remain closed until Spring 2023 allowing for a change of publican and complete renovation.
The news broke on the pub’s Facebook Page this afternoon (Tuesday), although Island Echo has been investigating rumours for weeks.
In a message to customers, the current tenant said that the landlords, Stonegate Group, weren’t going to renew the lease and wished to take over the free house and run it themselves.
It is hoped that the current crop of staff can reach an agreement with their potential new employer and keep their positions at the well-known Godshill eatery.
In the statement issued on their Facebook page, The Griffin’s current tenant said:
“In the 7 years it has been my pleasure to ‘guide the ship’ I have worked with a fantastic team, and met some wonderful customers, who i am sure will help support the pub when it reopens. Hopefully the current team can reach agreement with their possible new employer to continue to give the pub the same level of service and quality it deserves.”
Plans from the new owners include changing the signing outside of the pub as well as carrying out an extensive interior renovation including new toilets, lighting, rejuvenated bar area and numerous TV screens. Refurbishments will also see the construction of a pergola structure in the garden.
Whilst the pub is being renovated, it will remain closed. It is hoped that it will re-open once again under new stewardship by the Spring.
Stonegate Group were approached for a statement before Christmas, but a response has not yet been received.
Certainly in need of refurbishment at least.
Worrying bit is Tv screens in a pub changes the Dynamic style and it’s customer’s experience the food is good the breakfasts are brilliant the young Chefs and bar staff are fantastic and have flare Customer care was excellent.
Change is always difficult for long serving Customers but the furniture does need updating, let’s hope the quality of the food stays not the usual bank of microwave food and measured peas Chefs please not technicians opening packets.
‘TV screens’ does not sound good at all. Will avoid in the future if it becomes a faux Sky sports bar in a thatched village
More t.v screens? 🙁 please dont turn into a sports bar like the Star Inn in Wroxall, barely anyone goes in there since they turned it from a quaint pub into a ‘bar’
It was The Star Inn, it was then “Four Seasons” and now (drum roll) “Smokin’ Jacks”, all smells of a pub desperate to get in some new punters, but a name change won’t cut it guv. Same owners different name, oh dear oh dear, how sad. Let’s face it pubs are on the way out, no one these days can afford to eat or drink out, and if they do they would prefer somewhere to relax, not have to put up with the neon lights or LED TV screens blasting garish colours at them.
Think it could be a harvester inn