Which stations should have a micropub?

[Bletchleyite]

Preston, skipton, Todmorden...

Preston is another major station with dire facilities. It is however quite near the city centre (though the old food court in the Fishergate is sadly no longer there, there is a Maccys there though). I wonder is there a micropub in one of the back streets nearby?

Crewe is another one that could do with a better pub, the Hero is rubbish and keeps really short hours.

 

[Doctor Fegg]

Worcester Shrub Hill. There is nothing within half a mile of the station, and the station cafe isn’t up to much. (But that perhaps says something about how viable a pub might be, sadly.)

 

[yorksrob]

It was a fabulous and rather rickety old building (18th century presumably) with lots of character; your feet really did stick to the carpet. The only place in Manchester you could get Taylor's Landlord.

Well, the availability of Landlord would heve been worth a visit in itself !

Thankfully Lancaster is getting one.

Crewe would be perfect for one and potentially Oxenholme as a stop off after a Lake District hike?

I've been looking out for progress on the one at Lancaster for the last couple of months up until lockdown. Fingers crossed it goes ahead.

Regarding Oxenholme, there's a very good trad country pub 5-10 minutes away, however it could do with a pavement along the busy road from the station.

 

[unlevel42]

The idea of a micro-pub other than at small station is pointless.
Large and medium stations are meeting places and subject to the ebb and flow of large numbers of people with limited time and patiences.
Spoons and taps are ideal.
Mind you a micro at Crianlarich .... actually anywhere at the moment.

 

[Revaulx]

At least Preston has an OK-ish pub next door and a really good one across the road. Skipton station is quite a way from any pubs. Tod isn't but the ones close to the station aren't great.

Is there enough left of Blackburn station that hasn't been pulled down that could be made into a pub? Aside from a fairly average Spoons and a little gem opposite the Town Hall the town centre seems totally devoid of tolerable pubs. Sad, considering it used to be a major brewing centre (Thwaites, Duttons, Matthew Brown).

 

[Revaulx]

Preston is another major station with dire facilities. It is however quite near the city centre (though the old food court in the Fishergate is sadly no longer there, there is a Maccys there though). I wonder is there a micropub in one of the back streets nearby?

The Old Vic is great. The Station is better than it looks. Both very close.

There's a surprisingly large number of excellent pubs in Preston these days, including quite a few micropubs. The Guild Alehouse is the best known, but is quite a trek from the station. From the Good Beer Guide, the nearest one looks like Plug & Taps. Alas it's the only one I've not tried. Another afternoon out later in the year seems to be called for, if any of them manage to survive...

Crewe is another one that could do with a better pub, the Hero is rubbish and keeps really short hours.

Very much so!

The Borough Arms up past the Heritage Centre is good, but not exactly adjacent to the station.

 

[Mikey C]

Tring, as there's NOTHING in the area, or indeed at the station!

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Definitely not in the criteria - I can't imagine anything further from the concept of a "micropub" than the giant drinking hall that is a Spoons!

Yes, sorry, I was just thinking pubs rather than micropubs. I would love to be able to go my local pub now for a drink and Sunday lunch. Having a meal for one at home is ok but not the same. Take care and keep safe everyone.

 

[Flying Claret]

Is there enough left of Blackburn station that hasn't been pulled down that could be made into a pub? Aside from a fairly average Spoons and a little gem opposite the Town Hall the town centre seems totally devoid of tolerable pubs. Sad, considering it used to be a major brewing centre (Thwaites, Duttons, Matthew Brown).

I cant think where you'd put one, other than on the site of the existing shop. Even if there was space I doubt it would be viable. The town is a complete black hole in terms of decent pubs. Most locals head up to Darwen now for a drink.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I cant think where you'd put one, other than on the site of the existing shop. Even if there was space I doubt it would be viable. The town is a complete black hole in terms of decent pubs. Most locals head up to Darwen now for a drink.

Fixed that for you.

 

[Taunton]

The M&S on the station is probably the most pathetic I’ve ever been in though.

Presumably you haven't been to their ones in some M1 Services ...

In France, every minor station seems to have Le Cafe de la Gare, serving the town/village as much as train passengers, and in the French style doing everything - coffee, alcohol, snacks and meals. Invariably an independent operation, often run by one family. I love the ones at some dusty summertime wayside point on a branch down in Provence which advertise today's special, maybe a seafood salad, plus a drink, as something like "Formule TGV"

 

[Sad Sprinter]

Wandsworth Common in South London has a lovely country feel to it, despite being in clear viewing distance of the City's skyline. I think it would be a nice place for a small pub, particuarly in the old LBSCR booking hall.

 

[route101]

Preston

Yep, need one in Preston , change here often

 

[Revaulx]

Fixed that for you.

The cathedral has an amazing acoustic. And a very loud organ.

 

[Revaulx]

Presumably you haven't been to their ones in some M1 Services ...

Most of them, unfortunately. Even by their standards the M&S at Vic is pathetic.

In France, every minor station seems to have Le Cafe de la Gare, serving the town/village as much as train passengers, and in the French style doing everything - coffee, alcohol, snacks and meals. Invariably an independent operation, often run by one family. I love the ones at some dusty summertime wayside point on a branch down in Provence which advertise today's special, maybe a seafood salad, plus a drink, as something like "Formule TGV"

Indeed. I've got a feeling that the bolded bit is what makes the difference. It's not just there to fleece people who are in a hurry!

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Most of them, unfortunately. Even by their standards the M&S at Vic is pathetic.


Indeed. I've got a feeling that the bolded bit is what makes the difference. It's not just there to fleece people who are in a hurry!

Fond memories of the gare- buffet at Tournon on the NG Vivarais - a superb no frills place - serving Pastis to some venerable locals out of an unlabelled bottle. (at 1000 am) , excellent local charcuterie and red wine. A social service.

 

[Aictos]

St Alban's City could do with one, seriously though I think Bedford, Peterborough, Brighton, Cambridge and Horsham could do with one on the grounds that they're busy junction stations.

 

[martinsh]

I think ANY station which doesn’t have a decent pub nearby should have a micropub. A lot of the ones list below are places where I’ve been stuck waiting for a train and bemoaned the lack of a decent watering hole in the vicinity.

Banbury
Crewe
Hereford
Leamington Spa
Leighton Buzzard
Lichfield Trent Valley
Liverpool South Parkway
Loughborough
Machynlleth
Oxford
Rugby
Runcorn
Selly Oak
Smethwick Galton Bridge
Stone
Tamworth
Warrington Bank Quay
Whitchurch
Winsford

 

[kermit]

It was a fabulous and rather rickety old building (18th century presumably) with lots of character; your feet really did stick to the carpet. The only place in Manchester you could get Taylor's Landlord.

I swear that when I went in the Coach and Horses in the late 70s, the toilet consisted of a large hole in the wall out to the pitch black back yard. I'd had a few beers, so I used it! It did seem remarkably poor even by the woeful general standards of the time. Sorry for topic drift - would a micropub at Edinburgh Haymarket help compensate for the loss of another pub to the tramway running next door?

 

[Revaulx]

@martinsh Stone has The Borehole: Lymestone Brewery tap a few minutes from the station.

Of the rest, I have to agree with the ones I'm familiar with (a bit over half). I'd add Basingstoke.

 

[Revaulx]

I swear that when I went in the Coach and Horses in the late 70s, the toilet consisted of a large hole in the wall out to the pitch black back yard. I'd had a few beers, so I used it! It did seem remarkably poor even by the woeful general standards of the time. Sorry for topic drift - would a micropub at Edinburgh Haymarket help compensate for the loss of another pub to the tramway running next door?

The topic drift was initially my fault.

Yeah the gents was primitive even by the standards of the era. I don't recall it being that primitive though

 

[kermit]

The topic drift was initially my fault.

Yeah the gents was primitive even by the standards of the era. I don't recall it being that primitive though

Was there even a "Ladies"??

 

[Revaulx]

Was there even a "Ladies"??

No idea. I'm pretty sure I would never have taken a lady in there!

 

[Purple Orange]

I have not had the pleasure of going to Newcastle for a while, but the station feels like it would be good location to have a micro pub. However there is Pink Street only a minute walk which has some fantastic pubs near by.

 

[PeterC]

To be honest if any journey required me to hang around a station long enough to enjoy a pint then I would drive instead and have a drink at my destination.

 

[mmh]

I think ANY station which doesn’t have a decent pub nearby should have a micropub. A lot of the ones list below are places where I’ve been stuck waiting for a train and bemoaned the lack of a decent watering hole in the vicinity.

Banbury
Crewe
Hereford
Leamington Spa
Leighton Buzzard
Lichfield Trent Valley
Liverpool South Parkway
Loughborough
Machynlleth
Oxford
Rugby
Runcorn
Selly Oak
Smethwick Galton Bridge
Stone
Tamworth
Warrington Bank Quay
Whitchurch
Winsford

There's a quite pleasant pub about 3 minutes from Crewe if you go out of the main entrance and turn left. Warrington Bank Quay has a hotel directly opposite which has an OK public bar.

 

[Doctor Fegg]

I think ANY station which doesn’t have a decent pub nearby should have a micropub. A lot of the ones list below are places where I’ve been stuck waiting for a train and bemoaned the lack of a decent watering hole in the vicinity.

Oxford

The Jam Factory, across the other side of Frideswide Square, is good. The entrance is a few yards down Hollybush Row. (That's assuming it reopens post-coronavirus...)

 

[xotGD]

Shipley: Put one on each side of the triangle and you could do a pub crawl without leaving the station.

Bingley has empty space which could be converted into a micropub. Bingley Brewery should be on the case.

Bradford FS: Especially for when you dash over from Interchange and just miss your connection!

 

[Revaulx]

Shipley: Put one on each side of the triangle and you could do a pub crawl without leaving the station.

Bingley has empty space which could be converted into a micropub. Bingley Brewery should be on the case.

Bradford FS: Especially for when you dash over from Interchange and just miss your connection!

There are three excellent micro pubs on North Parade which is almost next door to FS.

Shame the height difference is so great...

 

[greyman42]

I have not had the pleasure of going to Newcastle for a while, but the station feels like it would be good location to have a micro pub. However there is Pink Street only a minute walk which has some fantastic pubs near by.

I think you mean Pink Lane.