Comments on: Live and Let Live is Dead – What Does It Mean?

By: Tim Langhorn

Tim Langhorn — Thu, 31 May 2012 23:01:22 +0000

There is a trade off between pubs that are small, traditional and accessible to all types – in the sense of providing very simple fare in unimproved circumstances – and the size, decor and offering of pubs that will draw in sufficient people to make a living. It is possible, but not easy, to make a living out of a small “drinker’s pub”. The Live and Let Live occasionally had a pleasant atmosphere in the manner of certain small pubs in London but not being in London, mostly when I visited it seemed to have very few people. I am sad to see it go but not surprised: the pubs that survive are larger and cater for a higher living standard. By all means, if it is architecturally worth it, incorporate it into a larger development. Developers must learn that as shopping habits change, the centres of towns need architectural interest and entertainment and certainly not large bland retail units to succeed. But it is not fair (to the pub operators) to try to revive its use unimproved and unenlarged. If the Clavadel and the Green Man (amongst many others over the years) also couldn’t survive better to concentrate investment and clientele in fewer places where there’s a chance of making a profit.

By: Chris Pegman

Chris Pegman — Tue, 29 May 2012 07:18:23 +0000

What a shame the Live’s gone. I used to be a regular in the early 90′s when Mel and Lynne were running it. I remember they put on a coach to Wembley for the regulars when Woking played Runcorn in the FA Trophy Final in 1994 (back in the dark days before Guildford City FC were reformed). It was a really friendly and fun pub in those days.

By: Keith Chesterton

Keith Chesterton — Mon, 28 May 2012 14:34:03 +0000

I’m sorry the Live and Let Live has gone. I used to go there reasonably often after meetings. When I was Chair of the Labour Party I always made sure we finished in time to get there. It was small so always seemed crowded even when it wasn’t. I became known, so was allowed to stay in after the official closing time, though I only wanted to stay in that late – after 10 or was it 10.30?! – occasionally.

But it did get too noisy for me, so I stopped going.

By: Martin Giles

Martin Giles — Mon, 28 May 2012 10:19:11 +0000

Thank you Darrol. I had forgotten that one. It was another one owned, at one time in the mid 19th century, by ‘Billy the Whip’ Elkins, a prominent brewer and pub owner in Guildford who also was a Town Mayor. Article updated.

By: Darrol Radley

Darrol Radley — Sat, 26 May 2012 23:11:55 +0000

If I remember correctly, the one pub you missed is The Little White Lion, next door to the old Woolworths store, again a small but busy pub. A regular of employees from Woolworths on their way home…sometimes meaning supper was a bit late!

By: Lester Woodger

Lester Woodger — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:07:15 +0000

Just found this post I ran “The Live” in 2008 and loved the place. It’s such a shame it’s being demolished!