The Clock House, East Dulwich

How can one establishment go from a solid, basic pub with well kept Youngs ale, decent dog friendly front bar and pleasant alfresco drinking area to a corporate, pinny wearing staff, pink walled, high tabled, route restricted and carpetted nightmare!

I agree, since the last owners sold the Clockhouse back to Youngs brewery about a year ago, it remained directionless and something had to be done � but this refurbishment is one of the most ill conceived, illogical and tasteless efforts I have seen with two exceptions - the mezzanine area, which is improved, and the efficient and friendly staff.

Designed, no doubt by a brewery work placement in his/her first week, I am at a loss to understand who this pub is aimed at? Several questions scream out � who pushed the flower filled wheelbarrow across the access point of the front drinking area � it can be moved now! Tall tables in the front bar � isn�t the joke wearing thin seeing short people struggling to navigate the high stools with their little legs dangling down? Carpet in the ladies toilet � don�t you know House Doctor�s number one no no of carpets and toilets � yuk! Horrendous jumble of crowded tables/chairs/sofas/any furniture in the back bar area, sorry, I could go on and on....

Maybe a visit to the Rye Hotel, before the plans (if there were any plans) were drawn up, would have been in order to observe and learn from a successful and sensitive refurb.

6 Jun 2007 15:44