Hungry Horse

Whenever I am back in England visiting my Dad - and all my dear old friends - The New Clock Inn (by nature of its convenience to where I usually stay) becomes my 'virtual office' wherein I meet and greet people I haven't seen for a few months/years.

I had never felt compelled to write a letter to a restaurant/pub chain congratulating them on their product/service before visiting the Clock a few years ago. My viewpoint hasn't altered since.

The Hungry Horse chain offers up terrific value for money drinks and food, but (at least at this particular location) pairs that notion with keen, well-trained and extremely friendly and accommodating staff.

The pub itself is always clean, tidy and inviting although as we found out more recently it can veer a little to the wrong side of noisy on Friday and Saturday evenings, when the bar areas get packed with (mostly) teenagers working off their excesses. Any other time of the week it's a joy to go into, the staff even managing to recognise and acknowledge me when there has been a 6-month or more gap between my visits. Hungry Horse really must go that extra mile to employ the right characters to work there. It shows and it works magnificently.

There are food offers almost every day of the week, anything from a "Burger, chips & a pint" deal for a fiver, through to free desserts on a Thursday. On Sundays you can get two roast dinners for just ten quid... a bargain in anybody's book. On the rare occasions that my food has been less than stellar a quiet word with the server will usually elicit a friendly, positive response with an eagerness to resolve things straight away.

I know a lot of people decry the disappearance of many old-fashioned 'neighbourhood pubs' across Britain - an issue which I know chains like HH doubtless help accelerate - but when those antiquated businesses start failing why NOT replace them with a concept like this which offers everyone good value for money? For me, far better this than turning an old dinosaur into some foo-foo gastro pub charging ludicrous prices with a snootily-exclusive clientele.

If I could give The New Clock Inn 6 or more stars out of 5 it would get them. No questions asked!