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Posted by: Huni-Buni21 Jul 19 2011, 04:37 PM

Has anybody been to the new Weatherspoons Hatchet Inn contemplating going though have been told that the prices are more expensive which I cant understand why that going to push people to continue going to Diamond tap in which case I would go to if this is the case???

Posted by: spartacus Jul 19 2011, 04:58 PM

<and breathe......> Do you want to stick some punctuation in there so we know what you're trying to say or ask?

Posted by: Huni-Buni21 Jul 19 2011, 05:03 PM

for goddness sake!

Are the prices more expensive than Diamond Tap??

Want to know from anybody who has been there yet.

Posted by: Dodgys smarter brother. Jul 19 2011, 05:17 PM

Went there by one of their 'special invitations' on Sunday. Decor very good. Alas my food and drink was free, so can't help you that way, except to say that I was told prices would match the Diamond Tap since that is also owned by Wetherspoons.

Posted by: Biker1 Jul 20 2011, 04:39 PM

What's He got to do with it?

Posted by: Nothing Much Jul 20 2011, 06:46 PM

Well a good place is always welcome. Weatherpoons seem to do a good job.
I have had a cracking evening in an old Methodist, (not sure about the religion)
in Exeter.
An old Cinema in Islington is a well set out venue.
I think they do a good job with old buildings.
ce

Posted by: On the edge Jul 20 2011, 06:54 PM

Pretty good I thought. Prices are more than reasonable. Weatherspoons also do quite well in newer buildings - Solihull for example.

Posted by: NORTHENDER Jul 20 2011, 07:40 PM

First post so just like to say hello, and yes I think wetherspoons do a good job for the
customer in most cases. The food is quite reasonable for the price (cheap in fact) and
children are always welcome, so its somewhere I can take the grand-kids. I do not
know how many there are in the country but seem to be one wherever I go, pubs that is
not grand-kids. If I have one criticism of them it is that on first opening they have ample staff to serve but very soon cut the staff to a minimum.

Posted by: Andy Capp Jul 20 2011, 09:10 PM

Yes, I noticed that as well. I guess there's an economic maximum, as it were.

Posted by: Nothing Much Jul 20 2011, 10:00 PM

I did mention that Weatherspoons do try to create a convivial environment.
Photos are everywhere ,someone has mentioned an old theatre in Newbury.
A really rubbish hotel in Norfolk has been transformed.
And an artist was commissioned for "The Romany Rye"I thought it would be rubbish, can't fault it.
ce

Posted by: Roost Jul 22 2011, 01:56 PM

Made it in there yesterday.

Not bad, like the way they've opened up the back of the pub, makes it feel so much bigger.

If I had one criticism it would be the decor and furnishings. It makes it feel like a cross between the Diamond Tap and the Queens.

Welcome to Generic pub-land (yawn).

Posted by: Brewmaster Jul 22 2011, 05:29 PM

I went in The Hatchet today, having been told that it was dearer. The guest ales are £2.55 there as opposed to £2.25 in The Diamond Tap. Apparently this is because The Hatchet is being looked on by Wetherspoons as a hotel.

This is strange, as I was told that The Diamond Tap was a Lloyds No.1 bar (which is more upmarket that the normal 'Spoons pub) while The Hatchet was to be an ordinary Wetherspoons.

Obviously not, judging by the decor. Wetherspoons spent over £900,000 refurbishing The Diamond Tap, and The Hatchet looks as though it cost at least as much. I think the decor in both pubs is superb and will certainly appeal to the intelligent pubgoer. I enjoyed wandering around The Hatchet looking at all the interesting posters and pictures.

The beer was good, too!

Posted by: user23 Jul 22 2011, 05:51 PM

Do people go down the pub for the decor?

Posted by: Jayjay Jul 22 2011, 05:59 PM

More avoid because of the decor - ripped seats, carpet that you stick to, broken toilets.

Posted by: JeffG Jul 22 2011, 07:04 PM

For those whose sole purpose in going is to get drunk, then I suppose not. For those who want an evening out in pleasant surroundings, then probably yes.

Posted by: user23 Jul 22 2011, 07:09 PM

Personally I go to a pub for the choice of beer, whatever entertainment might be on there and of course the company.

If you for the carpets and wallpaper, fair enough.

Posted by: Andy Capp Jul 22 2011, 11:01 PM

What is , in your opinion, the best pub in town?

Posted by: NWNREADER Jul 23 2011, 09:30 AM

That is a thread on it's own, and will bring many valid answers from the range of preferences people have.
Me, I prefer out-of-town.....

Posted by: Cognosco Jul 23 2011, 12:10 PM

Which like petrol, is usually cheaper out of Newbury!

Posted by: Rosewinelover Jul 29 2011, 02:15 PM

Went in Sunday and thought it looked so much better...Lots of places so sit. We sat outside which again so much space. They don't have any music so can't see myself in there at night - just no atmosphere.

Posted by: Vodabury Jul 30 2011, 08:14 AM

Been to The Hatchet twice now. Beer prices were £2.10 - £2.50 ish a pint. Had a nice pint of Broadside. A big sitting area outside at the back and food is certainly acceptable. The kids meal deals are very good value. Staff were pleasant enough but in need of better training perhaps. Would go again.

Whilst I was there someone was pointing out to a barman that he had been charged £2.10 for a pint whereas it was £1.99 in the "other one".

Just for comparison, had a pint of Discovery in the Lock Stock & Barrel this week - £3.45.

Posted by: Andy Capp Jul 30 2011, 09:55 AM

And that's where the problem starts. Bloody kids in pubs.

Posted by: dannyboy Aug 1 2011, 09:10 AM

Many people find the lack of music one of the best things about 'spoons pubs.

Posted by: Bloggo Aug 1 2011, 09:44 AM

The problem actually is, as usual, the failure of the parents to keep the kids under control and away from the bar.
Kids sitting quietly with their parents isn't a problem.
I do think that after 7 pm pubs should be child free.

Posted by: Turin Machine Aug 1 2011, 09:52 AM

No Kids, No music, No widescreen showing 24 hr Footie, now thats a Pub I would go to .

Posted by: Bloggo Aug 1 2011, 09:55 AM

Spot on TM.

Posted by: Rosewinelover Aug 1 2011, 09:58 AM

I normally find that people over 40 agree with that statement

Posted by: dannyboy Aug 1 2011, 10:07 AM

Many 'pubs' play loud music & have hardly any tables so that all you can do whilst there is drink. You can't sit & have a conversation for instance. The music is too loud. This type of 'pub' exists for the sole purpose of selling as much alcohol as quickly as possible. I suspect the move to super chilled beers is partly to increase consumption - the glass is so cold ( and there is nowhere to put your glass down ) that you drink the beer more quickly than normal.

Posted by: Rosewinelover Aug 1 2011, 10:08 AM

This comment really annoys me......All though my son eats out with me all the time, I do not take him to 'pubs' often. 'Spoons is family orientated - that's why they do a childrens menu - so no one can moan if they are in there when you are...BUT if the child/ren are running riot, causing trouble, shouting, screaming, crying - then you have every reason to moan. If they are just happily enjoying a meal with the family - why is this a problem to you?

Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 1 2011, 10:11 AM

I don't mind music in pubs, but bloody screeching kids running amok, and people who insist on buying complicated drinks, thus keeping everyone waiting, rile me up!

Posted by: Rosewinelover Aug 1 2011, 10:11 AM

I actually agree (sign of getting old me thinks) it's is very hard to have a chat with a friend in most places in town with the music blaring. I am starting to enjoy out of town pubs more because of this.

Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 1 2011, 10:14 AM

I never said it was.

Posted by: Rosewinelover Aug 1 2011, 10:19 AM

So in actual fact you meant 'bloody noisy/naughty/parents not watching children annoy you in pubs?!

Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 1 2011, 10:32 AM

No in fact, I meant that as soon as you let kids in pubs, that's when the problems start. Which is what I wrote...I think!

Posted by: Rosewinelover Aug 1 2011, 10:35 AM

Yes you did write that - I took it down as you disliked children being in pubs - So maybe explain what problems start then?! (I am confused now!)

Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 1 2011, 10:36 AM

As soon as you let kids in pubs, you start getting noisy patrons. You start getting queues at the bar for daft drinks (because families in pubs means more women in pubs drinking some kind of alien specimen). Families in pubs mean food, which means even more queuing. Food which is usually paid by bank card, which means even more queueing

Posted by: Rosewinelover Aug 1 2011, 10:47 AM

I pay everything by card...Thought most people did.

Everything you mention above goes hand in hand in any pub serving food - minus the children! I find as soon as you allow a person over the age of 18 in a pub you get noisy patrons

Posted by: Dodgys smarter brother. Aug 1 2011, 11:04 AM

What he said.

Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 1 2011, 11:41 AM

There are fewer noises that grate more than a tiny child squawking. Perhaps a rabble of noisy women might be quite high on the list!

Serving food, which is a necessity these days, has changed the pub environment to something I am not comfortable with (I go to the pub to get away from the family, not for others to follow), but children in pubs is the most 'disturbing'.

I remember a time when it wasn't the done thing for women to walk into a pub on their own!

Posted by: Rosewinelover Aug 1 2011, 12:53 PM

Do you really see lots children in pubs? Maybe it's just me but the only time I see them in a pub it's day time, not evening. In the daytime I do not go out drinking so it doesn't bother me. I find it more disturbing trying to eat a evening meal at a resturant with children allowed to stay up casuing havoc.

Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 1 2011, 02:38 PM

I try to avoid 'family' pubs.

Posted by: Strafin Aug 1 2011, 04:29 PM

I expect to see children in places like Wethersoons because they do promote families coming in (wrongly in my opinion). I also expect to see them in Pizza Hut for the same reason, if that is the clientele they want then so be it. Just don't go there if you don't like it. I have a problem however when people bring their kids into places where it is clearly not, such as for a comparison, the King Charles Tavern and Pizza Express. The problem with kids in pubs is not so much their behaviour either, a pub is an adult environment and you should free to be able to swear, talk about adult topics, and maybe even gamble. Having kids resent makes it uncomfortable to do these things.

Posted by: Rosewinelover Aug 2 2011, 02:21 PM

Pizza Express - Really? They do childrens menus and parties so you would expect children in there....

Posted by: On the edge Aug 2 2011, 07:34 PM

Oh well, perhaps I'm getting too old but I remember staying with my Aunt in Lambeth, many years ago. If it was raining, my cousin and I would be ushered in and pushed behind the piano, given our shandy and crisps and told to tell anyone who asked that we lived there. Thick smoke, music and noise, but not a squeak from us kids!!

Posted by: Strafin Aug 3 2011, 07:10 PM

I have never seen either of those things but don't go there that regularly, I was trying to come up with a Pizza Hut comparison. Perhaps I should have used Strada?

Posted by: CBW137Y Aug 3 2011, 08:04 PM

Sorry to burst your bubble, but Strada recently hosted a seven year olds birthday party

Posted by: Strafin Aug 3 2011, 09:13 PM

Well that's my point, had I been in there I would have complained and left. If I had already ordered I would have cancelled, settled up for what I had already consumed and never gone back. Why would a 7 year old want a party at Strada in the first place?

Posted by: CBW137Y Aug 3 2011, 09:15 PM

I think it was probably the parents flashing the cash to be fair. Anyway....sorry......leading away from the main topic a smidge.

Posted by: Vodabury Aug 6 2011, 08:24 PM

Surely there are enough pubs in Newbury to enable a few to be family-friendly? If the problem for you is badly behaved young kids running amok in a pub (or any venue) then they and their parents/carers should be asked to leave.

And I agree with others that young children should not be in a pub, say, after 7pm.

But as they get into their teens, I would rather see kids having a meal in a pub with their parents, as opposed to getting plastered on cheap supermarket booze on a park bench with their mates.... and causing real problems.

Rgds