Popular Dorking pub closes after decades in the town

By mcollison

by Matt Collison

matthew.collison@essnmedia co.uk

TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular Dorking pub where last orders were called for the last time at the weekend.

The Malthouse closed its doors forever on Friday night (September 12) after a farewell party with staff and regulars to celebrate more than two decades in the town.

The venue could be demolished to make way for 37 flats under plans lodged with Mole Valley District Council by landowners Thornfield in July.

Regular drinkers at the Mill Lane site expressed their regret at the pub's closure, which was announced in June by Spirit Group, the chain that owns the pub.

Speaking prior to the pub's closure, Jenna Ede, 21, of Horsham, who had been a regular at the pub for the past three years, said: "It is a good pub and they are very friendly staff and they make you feel very welcome. That will be missed.

"Even though the staff and manager has not been here very long they know lots of people and are very welcoming."

And Mick Bowers, a tree surgeon, from The Glebe in Leigh, said: "I think the pub is making no money and that is why they have to close but it has still got the regulars. It is a shame that it is going to be closed down but it is one of those things."

The 21-year-old added: "It has been nice here because it is quiet and has got the park and it is a good meeting point."

The Mill Lane site has been connected with pubs and beer-making since the mid 1800s. It was home to Boxall Brewery and a tannery in the early 19th century and the Evening Star opened at the site in the 1930s/40s.

The pub changed its name to the Malthouse in 1982 when publican John Bateman took over and refurbished the premises to attract a younger crowd.

Mr Bateman, who is now a licensee at the Pilgrim in Station Road, Dorking, said: "It is a shame. When I got it, it was a very good youngsters pub and we had all sorts of things going on. It was quite fun.

"We bought it when it was going downhill and ripped it apart and rebuilt it and it became very popular. It is a shame it has had to close but that is the way it goes with pubs nowadays."

Spirit Group said staff at the Malthouse had been offered vacancies at other Spirit Group venues.

A spokesman for the company said: "After careful consideration, Spirit Group has chosen to relinquish the lease on the Malthouse, which is owned by a private company.

"The pub opened for the last time on Friday evening."