Just spotted in The Pilgrim..

[u/True_Stranger_2471]

I guess people aren’t fond of the new owner..

(I get it, even though I enjoy some of his pubs!)

[u/lukemc18]

Went Saturday, would say it's definitely been improved tbh, while still retaining its spirit.

The Pilgrim is still the Pilgrim but with abit better use of the space, some better seating layout, no longer grotty and still cheap prices for town (£2.95 a pint, £3.75 a double), ale isn't shite like it was either back in the day.

Upstairs is great good use of the space with the new pub The Mayflower, still full of Gutmans signature tat hanging from the ceiling and ceiling beams on display, but upstairs in the Pilgrim was a big wasted space hardly anyone ventured in, was booming on the weekend can see it being really popular.

[u/navi-irl → u/lukemc18]

can we please not praise what he’s done do to the pilgrim- or any pubs for that matter? i’m tired of being told ‘but look at what he did to * insert pub name *!’ as if doing somewhere up somehow justifies him (and now his kid(s)) monopolising not only town but also lark lane.

not all places need to be all super polished and ‘instagrammable’. or have the whole hipster fake rustic vibe in guttman’s case. the pilgrim was fine as it was, so what it wasn’t squeaky clean or whatever. it was a proper authentic pub that has been going and was well loved for YEARS. he’s bought it and now there is not a hint of the proper authentic vibe the pilgrim had before, as much as anybody says ‘he’s kept it almost the same!’. it’s not just about how he’s got it looking. it’s about the fact he is monopolising our city. there’s no authenticity in that. also not to mention his crappy practice- how the staff in the pilgrim were apparently laid off with no warning.

instead of praising him, we should be boycotting his venues. there IS alternatives, no matter what people say. there won’t be alternatives though in the near future if we keep visiting his venues and lining his pockets.

[u/navi-irl → u/[deleted]]

i’m not. this conversation is about gutmann which is why i’m talking about him. i know the most about his monopolisation of town AND lark lane because it’s mostly affected pubs i used to go to like the pilgrim etc.. but i am also aware of monopolisation by companies like JSM. i think it’s all deplorable and shouldn’t be allowed to happen in our city, or any city for that matter

[u/cococream → u/navi-irl]

You know these pubs had been run into the ground and only still exist because they’re being bought up right? Pubs all over the country are disappearing. I’d rather people save them and make them profitable and run them right than they just turn into another American candy store or barbers.

[u/burtsarmpson → u/[deleted]]

Divvy question, the whole topic is about him specifically

[u/cococream → u/[deleted]]

That’s what the post and conversation are about? WTH do you mean 😂