The Pelican, Timperley, Altrincham

Official site of The Pelican - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

It seems this pub's days are numbered, as the pub and hotel to the rear are up for sale as a development opportunity. The Pelican used to be a regular haunt of mine and it used to be a fairly decent busy pub 20 years ago. However the pub has changed, not for the better, and attempts at refurbs just seem to have stripped the pub of the character it once had. There is a massive sports screen with a pool table in front of it, a separate section with a dart board in, and seating along the windows. A large area to the right appears to be mainly set up for dining and lacks any character whatsoever. The pub is a shadow of its former self and wasn't that busy last night (Thursday). If I had my way I'd probably move all the sports stuff over to the right hand side and have the rest of the pub set up with relaxed different seating types offering decent pub food, decent real ales and a few craft keg beers. The hotel out the back could be demolished (apparently it has already closed) and a massive beer garden built incorporating a play area for the kids. This pub could really up its game and do quite well. I don't think becoming a cheap and cheerful Flaming Grill chavvy sports bar has done it any favours at all. Three hand pulls which, according to WhatPub "change constantly" but as of last night one was off and the other two had the oh-so-predictable Abbot Ale and Greene King IPA. To be honest I won't be that sorry to see it turned into apartments or whatever is going to happen to this site. It's an uncared for mess of a place, and just like an aging pet, its time has unfortunately come.

Official site of The Pelican - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk