Marquess of Anglesey, Covent Garden, WC2

This is typical of a number of Young’s pubs these days – sofas, low tables, very clean and clinical. It’s not much like the pub I used to know back in the 70s when it was a bastion of real ale facing the onslaught of keg beer. It was also quite smaller then, before it bought up, and expanded into, the premises next door. Any real character it had has been lost over the years. And Young’s Special for over £3 a pint is pretty expensive, even by London standards. But I’ve no doubt that there are people who like this sort of place, in which case good for you – but it’s not for me!

I usually avoid this pub as I’ve found the staff to be rude and the quality of beer to be suspect. By chance I spent an evening in here recently and I'd happily like to report that there has been a vast improvement in the attitude of the staff. They were efficient and friendly and served a good pint of ale putting this pub back on my Covent Garden radar. There has been a refurbishment meaning that this may not be one for traditional pub lovers, but I liked it.