Which stations should have a micropub?

[Llandudno]

With many posts extolling the virtues of micropubs, which stations would you like to see have a micropub?

To give the post some depth I have listed three differing criteria:

1. Idyllic location, but definitely not via viable!
Such as Dovey Junction, Forsinard, Hellifield, Dent, Arnside etc.

2. Busy interchange station.
Crewe, Chester, Bristol TM, Lancaster, Exeter St David’s,

3. Station close to a town centre that would attract rail and non rail customers alike?
Hull, Manchester Victoria, Liverpool Lime Street, Brighton, Windermere, Paignton, Inverness,

 

[Revaulx]

Manchester Vic certainly.

It’s an absolute tragedy that the station buffet with its magnificent domed ceiling is operated by some ghastly chain.

 

[gazthomas]

A proper pub in London Marylebone

 

[Bletchleyite]

Manchester Vic certainly.

It’s an absolute tragedy that the station buffet with its magnificent domed ceiling is operated by some ghastly chain.

The whole catering offering in Victoria is utterly appalling. Not at all fit for the second main station in England's second or third city (depending on who you ask ). It really justifies a provision closer to what there is at Piccadilly.

Not only that but the railway is missing out on money - unlike on-train catering, station catering is highly profitable.

 

[Revaulx]

The whole catering offering in Victoria is utterly appalling. Not at all fit for the second main station in England's second or third city (depending on who you ask ). It really justifies a provision closer to what there is at Piccadilly.

Not only that but the railway is missing out on money - unlike on-train catering, station catering is highly profitable.

The little coffee shop (Java?) is nice. And there’s a Greggs

The Pilcrow across Corporation Street is pricey and its opening hours are hit and miss even in normal times, but I really like it; particularly if the weather permits sitting outside and admiring some extremely high quality architecture from the first 2/3 of the 20th century.

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

 

[Tomos y Tanc]

At the risk of going off topic, it always amuses me that Porthmadog a town of 4,000 people has three stations two of which have pubs attached, Spooners at Porthmadog Harbour and the Railway Inn at the NR station. The third station, the WHHR one, lacks a bar but has a tea room instead. Not bad going!

I've always thought that some of the busier stations on the Valley lines could sustain a catering operation although they probably need a wider offer than a micro-pub. Those stations are generally basic and pretty grim but some of them have surprisingly large passenger numbers.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Preston

 

[Stuwhu]

Lympstone Commando for all the Thirsty Squaddies

 

[yorksrob]

The whole catering offering in Victoria is utterly appalling. Not at all fit for the second main station in England's second or third city (depending on who you ask ). It really justifies a provision closer to what there is at Piccadilly.

Not only that but the railway is missing out on money - unlike on-train catering, station catering is highly profitable.

The pub in Piccadilly isn't up to that much though. At least the Piccaddilly Tap on the station approach exists though !

The little coffee shop (Java?) is nice. And there’s a Greggs

The Pilcrow across Corporation Street is pricey and its opening hours are hit and miss even in normal times, but I really like it; particularly if the weather permits sitting outside and admiring some extremely high quality architecture from the first 2/3 of the 20th century.

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

The M&S has proved handy at times though !

 

[Llandudno]

The pub in Piccadilly isn't up to that much though. At least the Piccaddilly Tap on the station approach exists though !
Yes, the Piccadilly Tap on station approach is handy enough, but is scruffy and not very appealing. The cask ale range is a bit limited but there are plenty of ‘craft’ keg options. Bit pricey though!


The M&S has proved handy at times though !

 

[Bletchleyite]

The M&S has proved handy at times though !

I'd say one of those is a minimum standard of provision at any major station. Always perplexed me that there isn't one at Bristol TM, there's clearly demand for it given that the nearest small supermarket is a considerable way away (as was the case at MKC before the big Morrisons went up). There are I think a few bars in the old trainshed, though, back on topic?

 

[yorksrob]

Yes, the Piccadilly Tap on station approach is handy enough, but is scruffy and not very appealing. The cask ale range is a bit limited but there are plenty of ‘craft’ keg options. Bit pricey though!

I don't mind the scruffiness per se, however it would be nice if it was actually in the station - perhaps one of the areas overlooking the concourse. I expect that might make the beer even more expensive though !

I'd say one of those is a minimum standard of provision at any major station. Always perplexed me that there isn't one at Bristol TM, there's clearly demand for it given that the nearest small supermarket is a considerable way away (as was the case at MKC before the big Morrisons went up). There are I think a few bars in the old trainshed, though, back on topic?

Yes, space probably has something to do with it. Temple Meads is a beautiful station, but it doesn't have much in the way of circulating space.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I don't mind the scruffiness per se, however it would be nice if it was actually in the station - perhaps one of the areas overlooking the concourse. I expect that might make the beer even more expensive though !

They'd have to give it a good clean for it to be nice to sit up there. The anti pigeon netting up there is filthy. I reported it to Environmental Health once ages ago, as it looks like some of it could fall on food in a few of the establishments. Nothing seems to have been done, though.

 

[4-SUB 4732]

Bexleyheath has one a whole 70 metres from Platform 2...

 

[yorksrob]

They'd have to give it a good clean for it to be nice to sit up there. The anti pigeon netting up there is filthy. I reported it to Environmental Health once ages ago, as it looks like some of it could fall on food in a few of the establishments. Nothing seems to have been done, though.

There is a sort of bar up there which did a decent bottle of beer (can't remember which beer, but it was one I like). Trouble was it was about five quid !

It was nice to be able to see the trains though.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I was going to say Stalybridge but you lot would probably lynch me !

 

[philthetube]

all of them

 

[Revaulx]

The pub in Piccadilly isn't up to that much though. At least the Piccaddilly Tap on the station approach exists though !

Are you old enough to remember the Coach & Horses? Sadly lost to Metrolink.

The M&S has proved handy at times though !

Better than nothing. The Co-Op across the street is good.

 

[yorksrob]

Are you old enough to remember the Coach & Horses? Sadly lost to Metrolink.

Better than nothing. The Co-Op across the street is good.

Old enough, but I don't think I ever went in.

The co-op is handy - for its cashpoint as well.

 

[D365]

all of them

I concur.

 

[Cherry_Picker]

A proper pub in London Marylebone

It's got two pubs on the concourse, The Globe can't be more than 150 yards from the Harewood Avenue exit and I can think of at least half a dozen more pubs within five minutes walk, including another one called The Globe!

 

[Revaulx]

Old enough, but I don't think I ever went in.

The co-op is handy - for its cashpoint as well.

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.

 

[satisnek]

Birmingham Moor Street, definitely, because (a) it's just the kind of station which should have a real ale outlet and (b) there are no pubs in the immediate vicinity.

As for the Victoria & Albert at Marylebone, the problem is that the people who run it assume that all customers want to watch TV all the time. The same applies to the pub on Manchester Victoria station. However, in both cases there are tables on the concourse outside, where on all but the coldest of winter days it's very pleasant (if you can afford the beer).

 

[LancasterRed]

Thankfully Lancaster is getting one.

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

 

[Bletchleyite]

Thankfully Lancaster is getting one.

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

Oxenholme is another station with a really poor catering offering that, at least in summer, could probably make a better one wash its face because a lot of people change there and there's literally nothing anywhere near it. All you get is the "cafexpresshop" in the little hut and one of those coffee "tuk tuk" things.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I think there is a Sports Bar almost on Marylebone Railway Station and there is a Wetherspoons not too far from Bristol Temple Meads, by a canal, I have a feeling there may Wetherspoons at Lime Street and Leeds, but perhaps they are not in the criteria, I think there were, or may still be a small bar on York Railway Station, possibly where a model railway used to be (What happended to that). I think too that there was a bar on Sheffield Station and I am sure I remember one at Dingwall.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think there is a Sports Bar almost on Marylebone Railway Station and there is a Wetherspoons not too far from Bristol Temple Meads, by a canal, I have a feeling there may Wetherspoons at Lime Street and Leeds, but perhaps they are not in the criteria

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!

 

[Jurg]

Once the new station building off Warwick Road is completed at Coventry, there's plenty of room in the existing concourse and ticket offices for a pub.

 

[Revaulx]

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!

The Leeds Spoons ain’t no micro bar, but it’s hardly a giant drinking hall either. I think it makes very clever use of the difficult irregular space; outside as well as in.

 

[Flying Claret]

Preston, skipton, Todmorden...