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View Full Version : Northern Beer Blog - Pubpaper 844 – (Punch)ing Out, Fitting In and Fitting Out



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20-02-2016, 10:16
Visit the Northern Beer Blog site (http://www.seanliquorish.co.uk/blog/?p=2148)

http://www.seanliquorish.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/561335_10150828126649514_1172689447_n-e1455958907306-300x184.jpg (http://www.seanliquorish.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/561335_10150828126649514_1172689447_n-e1455958907306.jpg)I’ll start this week with an update on the Barge and Barrel (https://www.facebook.com/bargeandbarrel) / Punch situation. **After some conversation between people like myself who write about the pub scene and those who work in the pubs themselves, the pictures seem to be as such. **The pub has been offered up for sales by the current owners, there has been a number of offers made to buy the premises and freehold, none of which have been accepted officially yet, but Punch are one of the interested parties. *Nothing has been signed as far as we are aware, according to who you talk to at the pub, the opinion varies between that it is inevitable that Punch will end of purchasing the pub from the coal face, whilst at ownership level is appears that they are still undecided and are not commenting on favoured purchasers. **In my opinion I still think we will be seeing a Punch Taverns destination food venue sometime in 2016 and will be happy to eat my words if proved wrong, hopefully at a totally independent Barge and Barrel, but let’s not hold our collective breaths here.
http://www.seanliquorish.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/12605344_513063148855467_676815325668198535_o-300x300.jpg (http://www.seanliquorish.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/12605344_513063148855467_676815325668198535_o.jpg) In far happier news an opening date has been announced for the Market Tavern (https://www.facebook.com/The-Market-Tavern-513051692189946) in Brighouse, in fact if you are reading this in Pubpaper, it will have already opened on the 24th February. **I’ve heard nothing but good things about the proprietor Snap from both fellow writers and trusted landlords from the Calderdale area, so have high hopes for this venue. *This town centre venue is sorely needed, especially since a nearby ex-real ale destination stopped being so. **The bar will sport 6 cask pumps and is located next to the market to the rear of the Market Street shops. *They could almost smell the 6 real ales across the road on Market Street. *From the facebook photos posted so far, it seems the small standalone building will host the traditional bar buffets and bench seats format we all know and have spent many an hour / day / month / year sitting on over a pint. *I look forward to seeing the final fit out for myself post opening and tasting some of the beers on offer. *Opening hours will be 2pm to 10pm on Wed and Thurs and Noon to 10pm Friday to Sunday.
http://www.seanliquorish.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/12742469_1051578098238662_8087626139963126371_n-300x224.jpg (http://www.seanliquorish.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/12742469_1051578098238662_8087626139963126371_n.jp g)Whilst talking about fit out’s, the Cross Keys (https://www.facebook.com/The-Cross-Keys-453977104665434) in Siddal should be sporting a new bar area by the time you read this, Hugh is having the main bar refitted with new bench seats, flooring, back bar and more. **The bar as it was, was fine by me, but over the 3 years and 3 months it’s success has bought it a lot of traffic and bums, so a refresh is always welcome. *In a public facing business it is always good to see pride being taken from back to front, serving good beer, with good service, in fresh welcoming surroundings. *The back room had been altered and fitted out in previous years creating more room for customers and the Sunday afternoon bands to set up. *I have generally shifted around my favourite pubs in a cycle all my life, but for it’s time under Hugh, it has consistently been my number 1 or 2 pub, a testament to the quality of the beer and service. *
Currently my top 5 pub list reads (in no particular order) Cross Keys Siddal, Commercial / Railway (https://www.facebook.com/TheCommercialRailway) Brighouse, Fox and Goose (https://www.facebook.com/Hebdenfoxandgoose) Hebden Bridge, Victorian Craft Beer Cafe (https://www.facebook.com/Victorian-Craft-Beer-Cafe-1174071465952997) Halifax and Sportsman (https://www.facebook.com/sportsman.halifax.3) Ploughcroft, although my local pub, the Cock and Bottle, Bank Top deserves a mention as we all need to support our local pubs **Many of these are picked due to a mix of the beer they serve or personal friendships, these factors weighing differently on each. **As I’ve said before, people both behind the bar and in front make a pub, you can have the best bar in the world, but with unwelcoming staff, you won’t get the customers. *
The common elements with these pubs (and many others I’ve not listed here) is that they have a choice of at least 3 well kept real ales (with some with up to 7 pumps), are a relaxed environment to drink in and welcome me as a solo adult, whilst out with my wife or with my children at the correct times. *That is all I ask out of a pub and these and others get it right!



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