The Ship, Ripley

I felt compelled to write a review after my experience at The Ship this afternoon.
I came to visit Ripley for the first time and made the grave mistake of arranging to meet a friend at this pub, I arrived slightly early and was greeted by a man at the door with "YOU'RE coming in HERE? Are you SURE? Have you been here before?" At which point of course all the punters stopped in their tracks and turned to stare and smirk at me.
I carried on into the pub but I have never felt so unwelcome anywhere and I couldn't decide whether it would be more awkward to sit down or turn around and leave. After a few seconds the landlady told me the pub was closed, gesturing for me to leave. An hour later I walked past again and it was obvious they were still serving.
I do not understand how anyone can afford to turn away any business in this climate, it is just madness to me. When I came home I googled the pub and I am relieved to have found I am not the only person who has had such an unpleasant experience, I feel better knowing it probably wasn't just because of the colour of my skin.
Either way the message is clear, The Ship does not welcome newcomers. So before you bother, save yourself the trouble and just go to any one of the other pubs.

8 Jan 2012 23:10