It is good to see this pub open again after a period of about fifteen months closure. This was a morning visit and there was just myself and a couple of licensing officers in the pub when I arrived. I had a good chat later on with the managing couple who informed me that this is now a genuine Free House although they have opened with beers from the Marstons stable because the brewery has been good to them. They are in discussions with a local brewery about the provision of a house beer which will be called Swan Song. There is no food at the moment but they plan to have the large bar as primarily a restaurant area with the former saloon side as the drinking area. Of possible interest to readers of this site, the pool table has been replaced by bar billiards.

Just a handful in tonight, I popped in to say goodbye to the landlady as this pub is closing on 1 January and Enterprise Inns are putting the freehold up for sale.

Early evening and a good atmosphere.

Late afternoon and reasonably busy. I had been told that this was the current Manageress's last day here and I came in here just to have a pint or maybe two before she left. She has now been told that she will be here until 2 January 2017, good news for us as she keeps her beer well. Shortly before I was planning to leave a couple of chaps I know who used to work for London Transport IT/Sema came in, one of whom was my ex-wife's former boss so that was another round, shortly after that a former CAMRA National Executive member walked in, then some Network Rail people, I stayed a lot longer than originally intended. A new pricing policy means that all beers under 4% are now £2.80 except for GK IPA which remains at £2.50.

I had seen on this site that this pub was listed as "appears closed", I was convinced that this must be a mistake and decided to visit the pub and find out for certain. I was outside just before the scheduled 12:00 Sunday opening time and the doors opened promptly. The pub is currently being advertised as a Business Opportunity but it is definitely not closed.

About tea time on a Monday, only one other customer in the bar but a few out in the patio at the back. The landlady apologised for the fact that she only had Doom Bar on sale today. I was assured that the home made pies on the menu were properly home made by the landlady herself as was the chicken jalfrezi. I shall have to give them a try sometime.

The music in the right hand bar was a little too loud for me so I ventured in to the left hand side where a league pool match was in progress.

I was surprised to find that this is now a two bar pub, a big improvement on the former single large bar area.

Currently closed for refurbishment.

Lunchtime. A very good chat with the landlady, latest dates for the planned refurbishment are from 4 January for about three weeks after which the kitchen will be open for traditional pub grub. Hobgoblin should be available for Halloween weekend, followed by Tribute and then K & S Rock Hopper. She informed that the Phoenix on the other side of the road should reopen in about three weeks time.