After having been closed unceremoniously and without warning at the beginning of March, my old regular haunt, The Railway Hotel in Hinckley, is said to be going to re-open on the evening of 2nd May. However, it seems that the much vaunted refurbishment of the property is far from complete and only part of the pub will be in use, with building works continuing until the end of May. Having originally indicated that the pub would close for 6 to 8 weeks for refurbishment, it's now set to re-open after some 9 weeks with only part of the works done; we will have to wait at least another 4 or 5 weeks for completion.
The re-opening will, reportedly, be a low key affair but it's unclear exactly what will be on sale. Beers and a cider on handpump have been mentioned but will there also be any lager ? What will be the opening hours and prices ? Basically, who knows ? The landlord is a relative of one of the owners of the 'Steamin' Billy' brewery and has been transported from another brewery house at Syston, while the brewery is still advertising for an assortment of staff for the pub.
I know that many members of 'CAMRA' are pretty excited about this venture but, as a simple pub regular, I find it all a little concerning. I fear that the brewery has taken on and promised more than it can deliver and it will be the old regulars who suffer, with shorter opening hours and higher prices on top of what will eventually be a 3 or 4 month hiatus 'to boot'. Only time will tell if my fears are justified.
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