Trafalgar Freehouse, South Wimbledon

I've been a Traf occasional visitor for some years and was initially wowed by the relaxed atmosphere and amazing choice of great beers, rotated on an astounding frequency. Such excellence resulted in the Traf being awarded CAMRA South West Pub of the Year in 2007 and regional finalist for Pub of the Year 2008. Of course this is a very high standard to keep up, but if I'm totally honest, of recent months I've felt the Traf has slipped a little.

For my money the addition of large TV screens and televising of major sporting events has reduced the pubs appeal, to such an extent that I'll pass it by when such an event is on. Even without an event being screened, the TVs cause a distraction to conversation and degradation of atmosphere. I'm sure there may be very valid economic reasons for the inclusion of screens but I feel it detracts from the pub, or any pub for that matter.

Additionally it seems a lot of the same beers seem to show up, which wouldn't be such a problem, were it not for the fact that it seems to be more uninspiring brews that are most frequently on tap. Many's the time when I've been told a particular beer is unavailable because it's so popular and sells out quickly. I would have thought this might be an indication to order more, but I get the feeling that cost considerations are perhaps dictating the choice of beers stocked, which is a shame.

Another thing I've noticed that has degraded somewhat is customer service. The staff just don't seem so friendly as they one were and don't seem so willing to offer tastings of the beers, or if they do it's done somewhat grudgingly. With so many beers on offer and being changed frequently you sometimes need to try before you buy. Of course I do understand that this takes extra time and eats into profits, in which case I'd suggest the Traf follow the example of a real ale pub I visited recently in Scarborough. Here they sold "thirds", which effectively were tasters but at the third of the cost of a pint. This was a great way of trying something for little outlay and allayed the need for feeling a bit of a scrounger asking for a tasting.

Don't get me the wrong, the Traf is still a head and shoulders above most of the local pubs, and a great place to visit, but I do feel it's lost it's way a little. Hopefully this is temporary blip and it will get back on track and return to it's former glory days, and who knows, become pub of the year 2012...

14 Oct 2011 17:31

Charles Holden, Colliers Wood

Used to frequent this pub, until one day my visiting mate got a clamp and a �150 release fee for parking outside the pub in the adjoining "private" road. Of course there were warning signs in the road, about 20 feet up and with very small lettering.

The pub staff "helpfully" informed us later that we could have got a special ticket from them to display in the car which would have prevented the clamping. However, we'd have had to have been psychic or telepathic to know this since there is absolutely no signage to this effect in the pub.

Turns out, after further research, it's the pub that owns the private road and employs the private rip-off clamping firm (Night Hawk Security as I recall), so clearly they get a nice little backhander off those unfortunate enough to park in their private road. If that turns out to be their own patrons sometimes, then so be it.

Needless to say we've boycotted this establishment ever since.

5 Oct 2008 03:00