The Greenwich Union, Greenwich

Excellent pub, excellent beer, excellent food.

Clean, busy, but generally helpful staff with above-average product knowledge – valuable when many first-time visitors are accustomed only to the big national and international brands. And of course the range of said product is, as you would expect, first class. Although a bit slow to clear tables when under pressure – an extra pair of hands on a Friday would improve service and probably help, rather than harm, the bottom line.

Female-friendly, clean loos.

Most of the above is also true for its neighbour, the Richard I. Ignore the remarks from prejudiced and foul-mouthed commentators who are determined to live in the past, and must want to see pubs go out of business. Maybe they did not like being turned away for abusing staff when they discovered that the award-winning IPA cost more than 2 shillings a pint. Or made adverse comment on finding interesting and tasty food rather than a pasty from a packet.

15 Dec 2014 12:45

Great Harry, Woolwich

Great Wetherspoon value with a decent range of budget-priced food. Family friendly lunchtime and afternoons, but evenings vary from quiet to too noisy for this 60-something. A very mixed customer base – office workers and commuters plus locals attracted by the Wetherspoon's cheap prices.

Like many pubs, the standard of service varies. Many of the staff are excellent, delivering efficient service with a smile, but some of the newer recruits need to work harder to improve customer service skills, product knowledge and technical skills.

New management team has greatly improved the atmosphere, generally being quick to refuse and remove troublemakers, although some of the shift leaders / duty managers are not always quick enough to react.

Sadly some of the older locals could be described as "grumpy old men" who do not realise that the 21st century pub is very different from the "spit and sawdust" locals of their youth – different customers with different expectations and behaviours.

But one of only two pubs in Woolwich that we would choose for an evening of drinks and a bite to eat.

9 Mar 2014 11:22