Latest Updates...
10/Aug/08
We did it! Phew!
After a frantic few months leading up to an incredible last minute push, we opened on time.
Opening day went very well, with visits from old familiar friends, and new ones. We sincerely hope to make The Geldart a valuable addition to the local community, and hopefully today will go someway to establishing that.
Many thanks to everyone who has expressed an interest in the past few months, and to all who made our opening day so enjoyable.
And further thanks to the many people who donated their time to help us open on time. Without mentioning names (there are too many!), you know who you are, once again, our thanks.
This page will stay as in it's current state for a couple of weeks,
after which it will be radically redesigned to become The Geldarts site (including ale & wine listings, menus, events, etc) rather than the current design which is a a log of events leading up to the opening day.
Watch this space!
08/Aug/08
Opening in less than 24 hours!
The dishwasher has sprung a leak, the builders have thrown away all the CVs and contact details for the staff, etc.
We are buying stock right up to the last minute, arranging furniture, cleaning everything... we are determined to open on time!
05/Aug/08
Glasses, cutlery and odds & ends
Last minute buying of plates, glasses, etc is taking place.
05/Aug/08
I.T. & music
Computer networks (both back office and bar machines) have been hooked up to the newly installed broadband connection. Music installation finished.
03/July/08
Cellar & pumps
We have (nice 'n shiny) new pumps installed and the cellar has been refurbished.
03/Aug/08
Furniture
We are frantically buying furniture, including sofas. We want to have a few areas where customers can relax, have coffee, read magazines, etc.
03/Aug/08
Nearly done
There is less than a week to go to the opening day!
03/Aug/08
Computer networks
The back office network is in place, and the bar computers have been installed. Now we are waiting for the broadband to be hooked up.
03/Aug/08
Kitchen
Kitchen installation is nearly complete.
03/Aug/08
Painting & decorating coming to an end
The painters stay overnight to ensure they meet the deadline.
24/July/08
Recruiting staff
We aren't far from opening day, and we realise that staff would be useful!
If you want to work in a new, vibrant, pub/bar, as either bar or kitchen staff, call Elvis:
01234 5678 or pop into The Geldart.
22/July/08
Our beer
There is some curiosity about what beer we will have. We aim to offer a range of real ales (aprox 6 pumps), an extra cold Guinness, and a rotated boutique lager.
21/July/08
Work is progressing
New bar tops have been installed, paint is going on the walls, floors are being repaired. So far things are progressing according to the schedule of works.
12/July/08
Opening date: 9th August 2008
It's looking very likely the re-opening of The Geldart will be 9th August! However we won't have everything finished. The hot rocks kitchen will take longer to completion, but the ales, snacks, computers, decor, music, etc 'should' be completed.
12/July/08
Kitchen installation & 'Hot Rocks'
We are currently installing our purpose built kitchen. Why is this worth mentioning? Because we are offering the first 'Hot Rocks' food sensation in Cambridge!
The food is served on hot rocks and cooks in front of you! The kitchen therefore has to be geared up for heating the rocks, and serving the food to you placed on the rocks, where it will finish cooking.
Meal dishes, vegetable dishes... yum!
6/July/08
Website hits
Over the past month the average number of hits this site has per day is 112!
Not bad for a single page site made purely to inform anyone who is interested in The Geldart, it's refurbishment, and change of direction.
Nearly all of these hits originate from Cambridge.
5/July/08
Clearing finished & design theme
The design theme has been finalised and the decorators will start putting up paint now that the clearing and gutting has finished.
Things 'should' start coming together over the next few weeks.
1/July/08
The Builders are in
The builders have started to gut the public areas in preparation for substantial redecoration.
Mess everywhere.
27/June/08 (due to increase in updates, full dates will be given from here onwards)
"Elvis has left the building!"
Elvis has left The Kingston Arms to dedicate all his time on getting The Geldart up and running. The Kingston Arms has been a great place to work, and we intend to foster a continuing relationship between The Kingston and The Geldart (using some of the same staff, forwarding suitable applicants, etc).
It should be noted that The Kingston Arms staff support Elvis in this endeavour, and intend to frequent The Geldart to continue the following:
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-
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make a pain of themselves!
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have Paul Boggia 'fix things'.
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have Annabel Calzada cry on his shoulder!
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Chris Kohll lecture Elvis about art!
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have Mo 'Tucker' talk about gadgets, girls & cars!
:-)
Jun/08
Flyer Design
Flyer design is completed. Deciding whether to print and deliver it ourselves or outsource it.
Jun/08
Meetings
Currently meeting various builders, foreman, electricians, etc. The schedule of works is on track and problems are not expected.
Jun/08
Progress photos!
The cellar as it was before the refurbishment...
...and this is the current state of the chill out area...
... and this is (hopefully!) going to be the 'back bar'...
Jun/08
Cellar refurbishment
As part of a chain, The Geldart is tied into buying a certain amount of alcohol from the pub co. But our terms allow us to alter The Geldart according to our vision - and this includes using the majority of the pumps with our choice of ale!
As a result a complete
refurbishment of the cellar is underway.
Jun/08
Cleaning and painting continues
Cleaning of private areas is finished and painting has started. Clearing of public areas continues in preparation for decorating.
Jun/08
Sound system completed
Completed all speaker mounting and wiring. We have a comprehensive music setup comprising 8 speakers placed in 4 distinct areas. Due to the size of the pub, there are 2 bar areas, a 'chill out' area (which is also where the two computers will be located), and an area around the doors to the garden. All the areas now have true stereo music, rather than the ad hoc wiring of unbalanced mono music previously piped throughout.
Jun/08
Photos
Chris Kohll (locally renowned artist/photographer/gallery manager) has been busy taking a whole bunch of photos.
They will be the used by Paul Boggia (from Alex Nesling & The Kingston Arms) as the basis for promotional material, including the Geldart Arms site, flyers, adverts, etc.
Jun/08
Hidden treasure!
We found some treasure during our clearing out of The Geldart. Several photographs of past (recognisable!) customers have been found, and we are currently forwarding the photographs to these celebrities!
Jun/08
Progress has been made on cleaning The Geldart.
We have been frantically clearing rubbish, old furniture, carpets, etc, and are currently deep cleaning the residential and cellar areas in preparation for redecorating.
The decorators will start to gut the public areas within weeks.
May/08
ANNOUNCEMENT! It's Official!
After a L O N G period of little or no progress, things are starting to happen!
Forms have been signed, budgets have been finalised, and things are progressing. We get the keys in a 'few' weeks, and can start decorating the
accommodation areas, and fit some of the back office equipment. Shortly after that the builders start in the public areas. Details to follow over the next few weeks, but at last we have an official timetable.
:-)
Jan/08
We have got our I.T. sorted! Alex Nesling Ltd will supply and fit a back office network, and install 2 terminals in the bar. We aim to provide internet access and a wireless hotspot, FREE for customers!
Dec/07
ANNOUNCEMENT! Calling all musicians!
As part of the forthcoming attractions we are seeking local bands to star at
The Geldart. If you want a chance to play to a friendly crowd, email us! If you play acoustic, amplified, have a band, or are solo, it doesn't matter. Just email me with your details (your name, name of your band, how many of you are in your band, your contact details and the type of music you play). We want to see what's out there in and around Cambridge, and you could well find I'll get back to you.
One thing to keep in mind - we won't be getting in touch until a few months into the new year. We are too far from the opening date (indeed the opening date isn't even established yet!) to set details in stone - but we DO want to get a variety of music on our books ASAP.
Dec/07
Further negotiations, including some design and architectural decisions. So far the opening date 'could be' sometime over Easter.
10/Nov/07
Creation of this site! Updates to follow.
Aug-Nov/07
Negotiations for getting The Geldart.