Messages of support
We have received overwhelming support both directly and by email. Here are a selection of these messages. To add your message to this list, please email info@savetheriser.org, with your message and name. Thankyou.
(The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of Save the Riser)
Its the best pub in the area - it doesn't need any changes!
Sam Reeves
I absolutely adore this place. I will be very sad to see it going and I certainly will never go back if it changes hands.
Ana Maria Maitland
The rising sun is not only a legendary pub, but it is unique in its atmosphere and character!!!!
Anna Loizou
Stop the rot!
Matthew Connor
The Rising Sun is a unique pub, loosing its individuality, character, and extensive beer menu would be a terrible thing.
John Bryan
I live a couple of miles away from the Rising Sun and have been a regular visitor to this wonderful pub for well over six years. On my walk to and stagger from the Riser I pass several "tied" establishments knowing they will never be able to provide the same quality and selection of beers, ciders, wines, whiskies, cognacs and of course menus. Throughout this time Dave & Ruth and their amazing staff have created a truly unique place for everyone who is lucky enough to walk through the door. My message to the Young & Co empire is LEAVE WELL ALONE and in fact watch and learn because your luck is in, you've stumbled across an incredible model for a "local" and successful pub that people love to visit and live close to.
Steve Parker
I have used this pub as a regular after discovering it some six years ago by accident, and since that time thanks to Dave I kid myself I know a lot more about beer. As I do not live in Epsom this has caused the occaisional long walk home ! I love the fine selection of beers probably only slightly more than the eclectic mix of people around the bar. Beers for all occasions - perhaps an early morning Riegele Weisse when the Lions are on tour in Australia - a few pints of Pilgrim Surrey for a session ,or a smoked Raucbier with my cheese ,and a lambic fruit beer for the girls; anyway I can't understand why Youngs want to ruin this unique pub. My local Badminton club have insisted we return to the Riser three years running for our Christmas dinner-its embarrassing!! as I've never been allowed to suggest anywhere else since the first visit, and when I had friends over from Germany, David prepared a very English Menu and persuaded my friends that their local home brewery was not as good as the products he could supply in the Riser. All in all its been a wonderful time in a wonderful pub. Shame on Youngs. Regards,
Jeff Daffodil
I have good friends who live down the road and visit when I come over every year.
Karl F. Peterson, MN, USA
I am both a local resident and a regular at The Riser. Having lived in Epsom for most of my life I remember how grim The Riser was before Dave and Ruth took over. It would not be an understatement to say that The Riser is the best pub, with the best choice of drinks, the best food and the best atmosphere, I've ever been in. My husband and I celebrated our first anniversary, the birth of our 2 sons and countless other occasions in there. I would be very upset to see Dave and Ruth leave The Riser and would not want to go in a pub that is run without care and consideration for its customers. At a time when so many of us bemoan the lack of "community" in our local areas, The Riser is a true community pub and that is thanks to Dave and Ruth and their inimitable way of offering such a range of choice and welcoming old and young alike into their homely pub. It would be nothing but a great loss to all of us if The Riser does not remain as it is. Yours hopefully
Melanie, Jerome, Freddie and Artie Thompsett
We are very sorry to read the shocking news. Ruth and Dave spent hours putting the Rising Sun on the map and we had our happy memories there - the atompshere was pleasant, all food were delicious. We hope Young and Co will re-consider the plight and let Ruth and Dave continue as before. Keep fighting!
Elaine and Desmond Lavery
I recently visited the pub and was really impressed with the lovely home cooked food and the wide range of beers, especially the cherry and raspberry ones. The main attraction of the pub is it's unique character and it would be a real shame if the new license arrangements resulted in its conversion to yet another branded chain pub. I hope you are successful in your campaign, Kind regards
Louise Bailey
I have visited the Rising Sun on the 2 occasions I have been to Epsom. I found it to be a fantastic pub with a great range of beers and other drinks that I hadn't seen in Britain before. On the second visit it had become "No Smoking" and that made the pub the" Most Brilliant Pub in the World". The Rising Sun was the template for future public houses, who were free to stock what they wished. The "tied pub" is an anachronism from the past that should be consigned to history now.
Philip Roberts
I visited the Riser for the first time last weekend for the Epsom Derby 2006. Not only was I extremely impressed with the vast range of beers, I was also touched by the kindness of Ruth and Dave, who run the pub. Even though they had not long found out the news that they were to be taken over by Youngs, they were polite, hospitable and cheerful the whole weekend. To me, this campaign isn't just about a pub being taken over. It's about freedom of choice, and about the local community and friends of that community speaking out against corporate businesses that seem to want to standardise everything and make it the same. Pubs ought to be allowed to have individuallity, and The Riser is certainly unique, in that it has that very thing. Keep up the good work all, and the best of luck to Dave and Ruth for the future. Best wishes
Donna Waring, Lancashire
I felt I have to add my name to the petition. I discovered your pub 2 years ago and have frequented very few other pubs ever since. Your wonderful beers are the highlight of my week not to mention the warm welcome you provide. I don't even venture into off licences now, preferring the wonderful variety of beers that you supply. The charm of your pub is unique, if Young's are to do as they intend, Epsom will be a lesser place.
James Squirrell
How dare they mess with a beloved traditional pub. Do they not appreciate that northerners like myself travel to savour the best tasting beer in the whole of Southern England, in a superb traditional atmosphere. What ever next - jukeboxes and bingo within a themed climate I expect. If you are looking for A THEMED ATMOSPHERE, leave the pub alone - it is original. best wishes
Dudley Ormonde
The whole concepts of tie-ins is rubbish. If the beer selection changes then I will feel that I have to stop going to the pub. This isn't because I don't like the place, it's because I resent being told what to drink by large brewers and feel the need to show them that this sort of insensitive behavior makes no business sense. To continue going to the pub would only encourage the elimination of choice and the destruction of community pubs. Regards,
Alex Nash, London
I truly hope the Rising Sun remains as it is, with Dave and Ruth in charge. I have known Dave for nearly twenty years, and I know how much hard work he has put into this pub. It is a truly unique drinking experience, with one of the best atmospheres you will ever get in a British pub. I am responsible for getting Dave to like Belgian beers, and he in turn converted me into a lover of wheat beer. The Riser is a shrine to both sorts, and many others beside. Please don't let things change.
Roy Golding, Surrey
Suzanne & I are shocked & dismayed to learn this news. I am sure Ray Smith will be too, when he hears this disgraceful plan by Youngs. I can't contact him till next week as he is away, but, knowing Ray, I believe Suzanne & I are now speaking for him, too.
As you know, we're all regulars, since Dave & Ruth started up at the Riser. In addition to this, we often bring other friends & guests to drink & frequently eat there.
[You may remember Suzanne & I had our wedding meal accompanied by many delightful Pilgrim ales & rare imported bottled real ales, as well. Couldn't have been more ideal!]. I have additionally successfully recommended several work 'do's' [birthdays, leaving, etc] to be held there, as all work for local NHS Trusts. But, I have to say, if the horrific plan you describe becomes reality, ALL this will cease. While I have nothing against Youngs' ales [& was more or less weaned on it], the Riser & Pilgrim ales are unique. As far as I know, there are no other regular established outlets for Pilgrim [or for the excellent range of imports, locally]. Thus, would Youngs' plan mean the closure of a successful & brewery, as well as the wonderful, unique unusual atmosphere Dave & Ruth have created at the pub?
If the takeover suceeds, we would not feel the need to travel to the pub to drink Youngs, we have nearer outlets, should we wish to drink their beers, & may occassionally do so, elsewhere, but definately not at the Riser & not regularly. Special, Winter Warmer & Ordinary are good enough, but there's nothing ordinary about the Riser the way it is now & Pilgrim.
On second thoughts, should Youngs really carry out such a hostile plan, we would consider whether we would drink its products at all, if that's the 'bullying tactic' approach it takes towards a small microbrewery & also if it ales are to cease to be brewed in their historic home in Wandsworth, to be replaced by some concoctions of as yet unknown quality & flavours from Bedford, what would be the point in our supporting that scenario possibly anywhere, let alone at an 'abuse-victim' Riser.
We are all CAMRA members & are forwarding this correspondance to their HQ [hope this is ok for you] to seek support, their views & probably publicity on this outrage.Pete & Suzanne Cole
I have just received an e-mail telling me that The Rising Sun is about to be taken over or closed down. This would be an enormous mistake. We lived in Heathcote Road when Dave and Ruth took over. Until then it had been a student dive and we had never ventured inside. It soon became clear, however, that this was going to be no ordinary pub. I rememmber clearly the first few meals we had there. Ruth in a panic, worried that there wouldn't be enough food, but when it arrived it was always fantastic! Like dropping in on your Mum and expecting her to feed a crowd of your friends! It was quiet in the early days and I know that Dave and Ruth worried about whether they could make it pay. But I've been delighed whenever I've been back to see that word has spread and it has become busier and busier, without losing any of its original character. We now live on the other side of Epsom, but somehow I still consider it to be my local. It is the pub that I will always choose to take out-of-towners to as its rather quirky, old- fashioned atmosphere is one I feel proud to introduce others to. Dave and Ruth have worked extraordinarily hard to make the Rising Sun truly special. I hope deeply that it remains exactly as it is.
Sue Goldman.
I was saddened by the news yesterday (Derby Day) and have emailed Young's forwarding my displeasure to them. As a member of CAMRA I felt I had no option but to contact them in order to register their support. Very best wishes
Kevin Ryan
The original Pilgrims set sail from both Immingham & Boston (both ports in Lincolnshire) before they ventured to the USA from Plymouth. True Northerners love Pilgrim beer almost as much as gravy - leave good and well alone.
Justin & Jim Ormonde
Although I live in East Yorkshire (that's a long way from Epsom by the way) I have visited the 'Riser' on my many visits to the Town. I wish I could buy it and bring it back to my village it is that good. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly and probably the best pub I have visited in years. Young's. Why do you feel the need to ruin such a wonderful place when, with the help of the licensee and locals have a unique business opportunity to keep a profit ticking over. You would not be interested if they had not done as well as they have. Give them the benefit of their experience and commitment. I can tell you now, if it changes you will not make the money that you would have leaving it the way it is.
Tim Tomkins, Driffield
Please save the rising sun!!! It's the best watering hole in epsom - great beer, staff and food!
Katy Pearce, London
What is Young's thinking!? By annoying everyone in the area who might visit the Riser, it's hard to imagine that they'll sell one extra drop of beer. I've sent an e-mail to be added to the petition, and I'll add a section to the Salt City Brew Club web site making people aware of what Young's is doing and provide a link to the 'Save The Riser' site. Maybe a few extra letters and e-mails will help. I can't believe how angry I am...
Todd Relyea, Syracuse, NY
Back to home page...I interviewed Dave in 2002 for What's brewing. He's a smashing chap and I thought the pub was fantastic. I'm so sorry to hear about this - it's appalling and if I can do anything to help, I would be glad to. Good luck - and do send Dave my v. best wishes,
Lynne Pearce, Writer and PR consultant