this used to be amongst my favourite pubs to visit whenever I visit the potteries. over the years the landlords have changed but the atmosphere in the pub always remained the same. lots of local characters, horse racing, no music, the smell of bass bitter, those amazing minton tiled floors.

I had not visited for about a year until last month but what a change.I then called again earlier this week just to confirm my fears.

the pub still has all the above features but the characters have gone. the pub was full of loud younger people and the air was thick with bad language.the horse racing had gone, music was playing on a huge wall mounted tv, the toilets were still mucky which was tolerated before but I felt uneasy using them this time.

as a town centre pub I suspect it won't be long before the aggressive element in the pub spills onto the streets.

I feel so sad about the demise of this lovely old pub.