The Leopard, Stoke-On-Trent

A fire "ripped through" this pub in January 2022. Four men have been arrested on suspicion of arson. See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-60103842 for details. The pub had been closed, but it was reported that police had previously discovered a cannabis factory there.

Another of Burlem’s traditional two-roomers, this is a large one with many intact Victorian stylings with the rooms one behind the other. Sadly the place is pretty tatty and there were very few customers in on a Saturday night, unlike all the other pubs we visited within a few hundred yards walk. A wheels of steel was blaring out a disco to no-one in particular and it all felt rather sad. Still, we plonked ourselves down on the bottle green banquettes in the front bar. There were a few ales on but not much goodness on the quality front overall – the Coach House Toffee was vinegar and went back and the replacement Bass was sub-standard. Desmond at least got a drinkable Otter. It could be a lovely place that competes with the other big hitters in Burslem, but at present any pub that can get barely more than 8 people in on a Saturday night and then serves up poor quality beer is staring over the precipice. I'll be generous with a 5 as the inside is well-worth a look.