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New pub may liven downtown by Dec. 1
By Eric Beidel
The Winchester Star
Published on October 11, 2008

Winchester — With its opening less than two months away, the Union Jack Pub and Restaurant has placed an ad in the Yellow Pages.

Union Jack Pub and Restaurant owner Ritchard Oram (left) and Thomas Miller, bar and event manager, stand in front of the heavily renovated former Union Bank building on the Loudoun Street Mall. They are standing with Oram's 1976 English taxi. (Photo by Rick Foster)

One of a handful of projects expected to bring more activity downtown, the pub seems to be progressing the fastest.

The pub and restaurant continues to take shape inside the historic Union Bank building, which for the first time in decades looks like it did in the 19th century. It is tentatively scheduled to open for business on Dec. 1.

Richard Oram and Debra Johnson own the building, which was built in 1876. It had been a home mostly for jewelers since the 1950s.

Oram soon will put the finishing touches on the restoration of the facade of the building, located at 101 N. Loudoun St.

He's awaiting the arrival of 700-pound columns that will adorn the front.

"This facade was designed and built to last a lifetime," said the native of England.

"So [is this business]," said Thomas Miller, the man Oram has hired as the pub's bar manager.

The pub will offer more than 100 different beers at an affordable price, Miller explained. The menu will include such traditional British pub fare as fish and chips, shepherd's pie, and cream tea.

Inside, the firt floor will feature a dining room, 50-foot bar, and kitchen. The second-floor will be called the "British Invasion" room, where a stage will feature local plays and music. A big-screen TV, as well as competition dart boards and other pub games will dominate the top floor.

A mezzanine between the two floors will act as a lounge with soft seats.

The area used to be the conference room of the former bank.

"Judge Handley actually walked on this floor," Oram said, referring to John Handley, the man whose grant was responsible for the building of John Handley High School in Winchester.

Miller and Oram said they are also thinking about having a special table in the kitchen so a party can eat away from the crowd and watch the preparation process.

Both men say they want the establishment to do as much for the community as it does for them.
"I think this is something Winchester needs," Miller said, adding that the pub should not be viewed as a competitor as much as a friend by similar businesses downtown.

"That's really what this is about," Oram said. "We're going to take what we get and give something back to the community."

Oram wants to hold fundraisers for local charities and generate support for all businesses downtown.

The city's Board of Architectural Review next week will hear a request from Oram to apply the pub's logo on the front doors of the building and to install an outdoor seating area and a British telephone kiosk.