The Tradesmans Arms, Cove

Pre-refurbishment, the sofa spring stabbed me ! :)
Post-refurbishment, this establishment is a place I could take my Mum to [, if she drank].
The staff are friendly, the facilities are OK and the customers are also friendly and chatty.
I have to add, that as an ale drinker my real reason to use The Trades is because they sell Amstel which I'm quite particular to.
Their Friday and Saturday late opening is a relief for those of us who finish work late and I've very pleased to write that there has never been *any* trouble since I've started venturing into the place since 2010/2011.
I rate this pub 8/10 and hope they continue doing things as they are.

20 Apr 2012 15:22

The Thatched Cottage, Farnborough

The Thatch, under Dean's management was a good place with *excellent* beers.
He once told me I should venture in and try an ale. Upon hearing that I walk past the place because of smoking, he changed the fan filters and made one half of the pub smoke free. Good bloke !

Unfortunately, the successive management have made a right hash of the place. First Debbie, then Dianne and back to Debbie.

Last night was the peak of incompetence:
Asked for a Black Sheep. Drinkable, but on 'the turn'. Mentioned this, but was ignored. Next customer ordered one with his meal, but brought it back to the bar; only to be told by the barman that he wasn't allowed to replace it and the customer would need to buy another ! That raised a few eyebrows, not to mention the customer's temper. I was about to mention items-fit-for-sale under trading law, but the customers voiced demand to see the manager did the trick.
Yes, the beer had gone off, but wasn't removed from the chalk board.
Next I asked for a Spitfire. Also on the point of going off. Informed them and was ignored again.
Friend came in for a Best. He informed them there was another couple of pints left in the barrel [before it too goes 'off']. He was ignored.
Finally, someone must have said something because they removed three of their four ales from the visible beer list, leaving Broadside (at �3.37/pint or �6.05/litre)
...and don't get me started on how long it takes to get served. Three staff working, but none behind the bar. Where the hell are they ????? Manageress, sat with friends, could obviously see all this from were she was sat.

The problem with this pub is that 95% of its customers (NOT punters!) prefer Fosters. At �2.45/pint compared to �3+ for ale this is not surprising.

Of the staff employed, only one drinks ale and he doesn't sample the beers at the start of his shift. ??? Why not ??? Maybe I'll ask.
If an ale needs changing, this is done *if* they have time. Usually at the end of the night; if a Fosters needs changing, this is done immediately.
Another issue some of the staff appear to have is low moral. It may well be that their wages are low and perhaps their working hours are not constant (i.e. continually changing due to others' absence)
They allow a tab system to run so you don't need to keep paying for every order, but you have to keep a sharp eye on the final cost since they now have a [regular] habit of messing this up. Recently was asked to pay my tab of �15, for three beers! The printout showed I'd bought a Smirnoff Ice and some WKDs, so someone paid for my ale.
Foul language, obnoxious body gases, sky high beer prices, incorrect bills and very poor service are becoming the norm in this establishment so I've been thinking it may well be time to return to the homebrew because the pub I'd really like to walk to is 45mins+ on foot.
H_P_D.

20 Apr 2012 14:44