please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
It tries but when you are sitting round the stills whereas most breweries keep such areas clinically clean you can see why the beers turn out somewhat murky. They charge a pound a pint more than the Horse & Jockey round the corner for an inferior product - probably explains why it was pretty desolate on a Friday afternoon (wouldn't have dropped in myself if bolts of lightning weren't trying to make me jump to some unnatural dance moves while hailstones were desperately assaulting my bald patch)
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No longer a Wetherspoons, now branded 'Brewhouse & Kitchen, [not sure if that is now the name of the place as they were selling a beer called Gatehouse], I had a pint of 'Tricky Spires [fairly good but a bit pricey]; over-all not really impressed with the place.
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This pub was nearer to the station that I expected, and not as hard to find either. It has “Wetherspoons” and “Free House” blazoned across it in big letters. It is said to be a Lloyds No 1, but it doesn’t have the undesirable features that some of those branches no. It looks a big building from the outside, but is much smaller inside due to all sorts of pillars and posts getting in the way, so tables are scattered here and there. The bar is small and only had 6 handpumps – very low for a Spoons. There were only 2 guests available, but I did have a nice half of Vale Black Beauty Porter. Other posters have commented on it being down-at-heel, but I didn’t notice that. It was certainly pretty busy at 1pm on a Saturday – but it looked like a wedding reception was being held ! I didn’t eat there, but noticed from the menu that it was fairly pricey for a spoons (Sunday lunch £7.49).
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The subdued lighting on our last visit did not do it any favours, prefer the other Wetherspoons in town, The Acorn.
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OK but more of a Coffee Shop than a pub when I visited last Saturday morning.
Had a nice pint of Trent Bridge Brewery Mild for �1.99.
Tried the TBB Golden Ale also which was nice also for the same price.
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Ship-issue 'Spoons/Lloyds just on the edge of town. As always with 95% of them, worth having a look to check the ales on (good prices of course), but doesn't make much of an effort to not appear 'run-down'. Unlike most 'Spoons though, it's BBC News rather than SKY for them. Happy birthday Rupert....
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Strange old place; on the plus side very cheap drinks and quick service. We ate there once and it was standard fayre but okay.
The negatives are tatty decor and a bit mucky last time we were in, not sure if that was pre or post decoration mentioned above.
It seems such a waste of potential given it's central location.
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A recent visit to The Gate House has proved change does seem to be in the air. Still not as great as it could be but getting there. The horrible chav/looser atmosphere the place once had does seem to have gone or at least going. Its a shame that the place is so dark why they re-painted that lovely cream colour to a really dark red I don't know. The bar has a very unfortunate shape I won't go into details but who ever designed it was an idiot. Ok so positives, its one of the few lloyds that actully looks like a lloyds should look. Its not full of middle aged people trying to be 20 again (well not when I visisted anyway), the beer was beautifully chilled and tasty and the prices where some of the lowest I've seen in a lloyds. Keep it up.
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Have been in again recently and things are starting the change the staff was really friendly and helpfull. the pub seems cleaner as well. Better than it used to be.
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Premises is an old bank. Had local Blythe Brewery beer available. In at lunchtime so quiet with local shoppers.
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