Our Patch APRIL 2016
&G local PARTNERs
Tom Gavaghan gets
comfy again as the
Thatched House
rediscovers its roots
and values
our patch
FEATURED
PARTNER
THATCHED HOUSE
After losing its way having changed its name, Brackenbury's
Thatched House is back on the map with a host of new ideas
T
he Thatched House
is back! Its old boss is
brimming with new
ideas for the popular
Hammersmith pub.
Tom Gavaghan first
took over the Thatched House in
Dalling Road, Hammersmith, in
2002. He ran it for six years before
focusing on other ventures, including
the Andover Arms in Aldensley Road
which he’s run since 2007.
It became the Butchers Hook in his
absence, but Tom was eager to restore
the pub’s history and make it an
essential part of the community again
when he returned in July... beginning
with its traditional name.
“The Thatched House has been
here for the best part of 160 years,”
he said. “How can you take that away
from the community?
“Pubs are important because they’re
part of the community. We can talk
about churches having their parish
but every single pub has its parish
too. They’re where we celebrate,
commiserate, where you can find hope.
They’re part of our society.”
“Ten years ago pubs could open their
doors and people would fall in. That
culture has gone. But for the ones still
around there’s such an opportunity to
open our doors and really shine.”
Tom said it was the Thatched House’s
size and community ties which really
excited him about coming back.
“It has so much potential,” he said,
adding that plans included opera and
spaghetti nights as well as the chance
for local Shakespearean actors to
come and perform.
He aims to create a more diverse
menu, launch ‘Me Markets’ to give
people a chance to network and show
off their skills, and he is sharing his
31 years of knowledge of the licensed
trade via his Pub Doctor consultancy.
“It’s not just a job; it’s a lifestyle. You
have to love it,” he said of his work.
The Thatched House is located at
115 Dalling Road, Hammersmith.
Call 020 8741 6282 or follow on
Twitter @ThatchedHouseUK
Turn the page to see the locations
of all of our Partners. And keep an
eye out for our Partner stickers in
windows in W6, W12 and W14!