The Sportsman, Western Park, Leicester

Late 70’s-build pub at the respectable end of the New Parks estate. Note that is not a Marstons house, despite the pub sign. Main bar is surprisingly small and surprisingly well looked-after with a vibrant and clean carpet, leatherette U-shaped banquettes along with decent paintwork, brick effect wallpaper and golf on the TV. Apparently there’s a larger rear room with darts and pool but I didn’t spot it. Two pumps with only Old Rosie cider clipped. Zero of interest in the fridge so I got rasped £4.80 for a bottle of Bud. Still, it's a lesson for me. A solitary cask ale in decent nick would have helped the cause immensely – it’s not a bad little estate pub.