BITE user comments - bumpsfelt
Comments by bumpsfelt
Excellent beer all in top condition. Slerpy is a no-nothing gobshyte.
2 Feb 2016 13:02
The Real Ale dispensed by this pub is undrinkable. They are clearly clueless and the blackboard exclaiming the "finest cask ales served here" is not only misleading but itching for a creative mind with a piece of chalk.
9 Apr 2015 11:56
Recent refurbishment rather tastefully done I surprise myself to say.
However, the ale remains appalling and expensive. Bookham is well and truly underserved by it's pubs.
18 Nov 2013 16:47
I always feel that this pub takes advantage of its isolation.
It could be me but are people who run pubs becoming less welcoming generally?
5 Apr 2012 12:14
Oh dear.
Pub shut last Saturday evening for the night. Evidently, they had a better offer elsewhere for that night.
The new managers certainly know how to put the customers in their place and provide an extraordinary lesson in loyalty to the regulars.
13 Apr 2011 12:07
Oh dear. The manager(a good bloke struggling with a failing enterprise on behalf of idiot masters)was told to get himself and his family out on 7 days notice so that the lessees son can get in. He starts on Thurs 23/08/07. Is it true that he has an interesting recent history?
I understand that the lessees have cash problems and I have noticed that the chiller cabinets have been sparce and there has only been one real ale on. The bogs have always been stinky.
What are the locals going to do now?
How long can this cash starved place survive?
19 Aug 2007 00:04
The Black Swan, Martyr's Green
Update from my entry on 15/09/06.
I disliked the pub then. I hate it now. It has however been hugely entertaining taking people here who knew the Mucky Duck of old and are horrified as to what has happened. The interior decor is a complete disaster, the price of beer and food astronomical and the staff both ignorant and obsequious at the same time.
Oh dear.
24 Oct 2006 15:35
OK,it's not a complete disaster.
Now reopened under new ownership and management. Not quite "Nouvelle Youngs" which is probably not a bad thing. Decor acceptable, Gents loos a 100% improvement. What I could see of the garden looked smart. However, I cannot see how this pub could have been closed for two whole months for this!
As to beer, it is the usual Youngs stuff and not too bad at that. The draft Erdinger Weiss beer very nice albiet expensive and dare I say better and not so fierce than the Schniederweisse offered under the previous management.
This whole make over has made me think about the role of this pub. It is in a one-way back street with no parking. It is in the wrong place for a gastro-pub or the alcopop brigade and is never going to be very busy. IT SHOULD NOT BE PART OF A CHAIN. It needs to be owned/run/lived in by people who want to run a small pub and can turn it into a cult beer venue to appeal to nits like me who are prepared to pay a bit more for ale- if it is good and varied.
So Youngs, why not pass it on now, before you start making a loss and at a time when someone else can have the benefit of your improvements to the fabric.
24 Oct 2006 15:16
The Black Swan, Martyr's Green
Reopened yesterday. It must have cost millions - all of them wasted.
It used to be a grotty old pub but is now a grotty new pub with everthing set up to frighten pub goers.It is hard to see to whom it will appeal. I do not think that it will ever have regulars. The decor is terrible. The prices unconscionable. The lack of carpet and curtains causes booming which makes conversation unpleasant. Not a place for a relaxing night out.
It is my prophesy that the new owners will lose their shirts.
15 Sep 2006 11:02
Oh dear!
Series of half hearted owners.
Series of disenchanted managers.
This pub now has somthing to offend everyone.
Someone has pushed the self destruct button and this pub is now in freefall.
The only remedy I can think of is for a pub owning company to put money into this pub and install an ambitious career minded manager.
The problem is that the pub is not only tiny and has little scope in space but is a listed building which presumably means no serious alterations can be carried out.
15 Feb 2006 14:40
The Black Swan, Martyr's Green
Poor service and hugely expensive. Avoid.
10 Jan 2017 12:35