As we announced last week, Twist at the Green Dragon closed its doors on Sunday 18th October, as yet another management team threw in the towel.
This pub-eatery has been through various hands in recent years, and it is puzzling that this establishment has apparently struggled to achieve commercial viability of late, given that it enjoyed such a successful period for several years previously, attracting guests from miles around. In those days, the Green Dragon was particularly noted for high quality food.
Clearly, the 'village pub' can be successful – The Angel at Long Crendon, The Crown at Cuddington and The Seven Stars at Dinton all demonstrate this.
It has been suggested that Haddenham residents might consider taking on the Green Dragon as a community asset, with local shareholders, a management committee and a professional manager.
Some years ago The Seven Stars at Dinton was acquired by the local community through a management buy-out, with tranches of £5,000 and £10,000 shareholdings. This venture has proven a great success, largely down to a solid management board complemented by manager Stephanie's undoubted and rare talents.
How viable might this be for Haddenham? Your views and comments would be very welcome – the Share & Chat section of this website offers an easy means of responding.
Might you fancy taking on the Green Dragon yourself? Its owners, Enterprise Inns, are offering the pub on their website and you can take a look at the details here.
Or download the PDF featured below the image on this page.
There's one outcome that most of us would presumably like to see avoided at all costs:
If no-one suitable applies to Enterprise Inns to manage or acquire the pub, they can then apply for its conversion to residential property if they wish ... just like the Red Lion.
So ... here's to the Green Dragon's re-opening and being managed in a way that secures its long-term commercial success, to the benefit of Haddenham residents and visitors as well as its owners and staff.
Cheers!
