High Cross, Leicester

Popped in a couple of times this week for the JDW Beer Festival, as this is the only city centre 'Spoons that is capable of keeping halfway drinkable ale.

First visit was on a weekday mid-afternoon, and I have to say it was something of an eye-opener in terms of the clientele; we all know that you don't get the higher end of the social strata in JDW pubs at the best of times, but I do not expect to see Baby Squad members proudly wearing their Stone Island insignia being served in any but the roughest of Estate pubs.

I did query this with the manager who advised that they HAVE barred a few members, but they have decided not to stop the rest of them (a) drinking in there and (b) making themselves readily identifiable ... needless to say, you wouldn't catch me dead in there on a football day!

Aside from the thug element, of rather more concern was watching several people who were clearly VERY drunk, still being served ... as a general rule, when someone comes in, sits down and starts shouting random things and laughing loudly to themselves it's better to refuse service.

The same is generally also true when people are so hammered they can't speak properly, but this doesn't seem to bother staff or management.

My return visit was on Saturday mrning, just before midday, and was a better session - there seemed to be less social detritus, and the atmosphere was a bit calmer.

What let me down on this visit was the food; I ordered the classic breakfast, but asked for it without hash browns / black pudding or mushroom. This in and of itself was not a problem, however I do resent being expected to pay the FULL breakfast price without being offered substitute breakfast items - extra sausage, bacon or even toast would surely not be beyond their remit, and would seem like half decent customer service.

Oh well, I guess it's to be expected from a company whose business model is morally questionable at the best of times (ie: selling cheap booze to people who have nothing better to do with their days than spend the benefit money they receive from the taxes the rest of us pay getting smashed continuously).

On the bright side though, I picked up 12 beers over the two visits, and although condition was far from perfect they were at least drinkable...

I'd like to see either Lloyds or the Last Plantagenate manage that!

8 Nov 2010 14:43

Marquis Wellington, Leicester

Interesting to note the most recent comment below...

Personally, I'm always a bit dubious when a pub re-opens after being very bad and suddenly a new BITE user appears with a name like 'Alefanatic' and posts a glowing review of the place on the day they sign up without posting comments on ANY other pubs whatsoever.

Presumably if they really were fanatical about the ale they'd have visited (and posted on) a few other hostelries, both within Leicester and beyond.

Sadly this is not the first time we've seen this damage limitation attempt on behalf of Everards houses - if you're going to do it at least have the decency to try and make the posting look authentic, don't insult the intellect of the people who use this site!

That said, I will be sure to pop in before the end of the week and check the state of play for myself ... I will not be holding my breath in expectation of any significant inmprovement though.

8 Nov 2010 14:21

The Smithfield, Derby

With regards the comments of seafarer1966 (see below) all I can say is HOW SAD MUST ONE MAN BE?

Having taken the teime to read all the rants you posted over a period of a couple of days, mostly about ppubs which you apparently haven't frequented in years, I can only conclude that you must be a very lonely and unpopular individual.

Your homophobic, misogynistic and xenophobic spoutings do you no credit whatsoever.

On the bright side though, at least I needn't worry about bumping in to you down the Smithy!

19 Aug 2010 11:59