The Old House at Home, Chichester

Albeit infrequently, my husband and I have visited the Old House at Home since the early 70's and always found it comfortable and inviting. Not this time, though....
We arrived about 30 minutes after midday and there were only a handful of people there, one of them an elderly regular. We sat at a small table with our drinks and the landlady/manageress (?) asked if we were having lunch, but we told her we weren't sure at that time.
As the "pub" filled, and before my husband had finished his pint of beer, we were asked again if we intended to eat because, if we didn't, the table would be needed for potential eating customers and we would be required to vacate it. However, the landlady suggested that we could sit on one of the half-dozen bar stools available if we wanted to stay!
OK, I accept things change but, since it's been revamped, it can't in any way be described as a pub -it's just another restaurant, but with small bar facility!
We felt embarrassed and intimidated. So, we had no alternative but to leave. What a disappointment that such a nice old pub is now just another "bums-on-seats" place!

29 Dec 2011 15:59