UCA
How has the pub developed throughout the years, any refurbs?
DAN
We opened five years ago on the 21st May, and it was a very different pub before. It didn’t have any love or care for about 40 years. A lot of the locals will say that you wiped your feet on the way out, but they loved it as it was. The pub had closed in 2008 and was due to be demolished, but what is now our brewery, is actually a listed building – and that’s what saved the pub from being knocked down.
In 2013, the current owners Danny and Angela stepped in and bought the pub. The windows were re-made by hand to specifications of what was here before. They discovered the old fireplace that had been completely covered up.
When we refurbished the pub, we uncovered a hidden door inside walls, dating from sometime before 1930. The large pane of glass in the door didn’t break over all that time. We have a photo from during the coronation of King Edward VIII, and you can see that door in that. We believe that it’s around 100 years old.
On the 2nd January 2018, we added the brewery at the back, and the building for the brewery is even older than the pub.
UCA
Do you have any festivals or events during summer?
DAN
We have a beer festival at the end of May. Usually we get an extra 10 beers in, some ciders, and do music. Last year we decided to start a beer festival at the end of August cause it’s a lot busier and there was music every day for a few hours. Two or three bands/ performers played outside on each of the days if the weather was good, if not then inside. Although we prefer them to perform outside to allow more people inside the pub. We had 15 beers in last year so we look to increase that again this year.
There’s also live Jazz on the first Tuesday afternoon of every month, and quiz night every Tuesday evening. Also, we do butchery night events, and invite the butcher down to bring in a lamb carcass – it’s not for everybody but we’re all about seeing where the meat comes from.
UCA
Have you got any new gins coming in?
DAN
Previously we had a huge collection of about 50 on the shelf. This proved a bit daunting for new people behind the bar learning the garnishes and tonics, as well as customers to look at and go, “Oh my God, what shall I have?!” We now offer three or four gins that are our core range, and change them when the bottles run out, which is the same with our beers.
UCA
Do you have different menus? For example, summer menus?
DAN
We change our menus three times a year, along with the seasons. Although some things just aren’t feasible and people aren’t prepared to pay the cost of everything produced in-house. However, 95% of the menu is prepared in-house by our chefs, using local seasonal produce, as we do think about the miles of the product. If we can get something from Surrey, why would we buy it from Scotland? We live in a lovely, green area so why put 700 miles on a bit of beef or lamb? We’re an independent pub, so we spend our money on independent people in the local area.
UCA
Have you had any celebrities come in?
DAN
We’ve had a few. We try to treat them like normal people and not make a big fuss out of it. In the past we’ve had Duncan from Blue, and Gemma Bissix, who played Clare in Eastenders and Hollyoaks, has been in a couple times.
UCA
Do you have any locals who have been coming to the pub since they were children?
DAN
Yes, there are a few. One of them likes to tell us how he used to come in here when he was about 14 and get served – and is now 66. His dad, who passed away aged 92, came to The Jolly Coopers all his life because his parents brought him here. So essentially, he came to the pub for over 90 years!
UCA
Great that’s everything, thank you Dan!
DAN
Cheers guys, see you soon.
Interview & image by UCA 1st Year Graphic Design students – Josie Price, Connor Adcock, Atalanta Doyle-Clayton, Sophie Hunt
You can also support The Jolly Coopers by buying take-away Fuzzchat beer from their brewery. Just bring along your own clean container.
The Jolly Coopers, 84 Wheelers Lane, Epsom KT18 7SD