Yeah it is true, apparently they have got the lease. Rumours were a few months ago that the place was going to be boarded up and left to rot OR left to a developer to convert into flats. The pub has had quite a snake and ladder past for the last 4 or 5 years. The brewery (now taken over) leased the building off some arab company. The brewery employed a management company who in turn employed a string of managers (4 in the last 2.5 years). Each manager ran the pub down and stole from the business leaving the management company in the shit with the brewery. In turn the brewery has employed several management companies. Outcome of each manager was pretty much the same as the previous one. The only difference was that each manager inherited a worse pub than previous which they endeavoured to worsen. Don't think any of them had a liscense as I believe most of them had done time in one way or another - mainly robbery. Somehow the management companies managed to use their liscence to place these dregs of society into a public house (common practice).
Apart from this, popped into the pub on Saturday (after being down town all day for st. paddy's day), went into shock as the place had no broken glass on the floor (last landlady had a tendency to throw ashtrays at people if they looked at her the wrong way - positive affects of heroin), in the places were there didn't used to be glass on the floor, my feet didn't even stick to it. The place was bright, airy, friendly - particulary the new owners. They actually spent some time fixing the pub before they opened it and there was beer for sale. Please don't be surprised the Arms was notorious for only having John Smiths left (side affect of the management company not paying the brewery for the beer, hence they didn't deliver anymore).
The sad thing is, it doesn't feel like the doxey arms as many people know it. It feels somewhat ........like........a.........normal pub. It's weird that for the first time in years I don't feel privilaged that the staff have decided to serve me. I don't feel bad for dragging them from the gamblers to be served a pint of carling (more often John Smiths). The new owners just smiled at me, were gracious, happy for my custom and welcomed me back anytime, we even talked about fishing in Ireland (well it was paddy's day). So I say welcome to Doxey their pesence can only be welcomed in a pub that was becoming notorious in the area.
Only wish the rest of the shit in Doxey could be replaced, believe it or not it is mostly a nice place to live. If you are wondering who this shit might be here is a description:-
1. Most of their pocket money/robbing money is spent in JJB Sports, where they keep the world's cotton trade ticking over with their purchase of made in china hoodies
2. Their only accomplishment in life is their CBT allowing them ride on a drive by 49cc scooters up and down the Doxey Rd and it neighbouring side streets. £200, 000 + mortgage doesn't buy you peace and quiet in Stafford anymore.
3. Never heard any of them finish a sentence as yet
4. Their favourite places are Doxey Chinese and Three Tuns where they torture the people who run these businesses.
5. When they are moved from these places by staffs police they end up in my neighbours back garden to the wee hours in the morning doing all sorts of lovely things (great parenting).
6. When they turn 16/17, no doubt they will end up drinking in the Doxey Arms as they will have already been barred from Three Tuns.
Sorry for the rant
Cheerio