The Bear Inn, Street

Official site of The Bear Inn - www.bearinnpubstreet.co.uk

Official site of The Bear Inn - www.bearinnpubstreet.co.uk

Looks like this Marston’s established has had a smart make over since my last visit some 14 years ago and is now quite a smart comfortable pub inside, with separate areas dotted around the central serving bar and a nice terraced garden area to the right hand side . Still four hand pumps on the bar but only three in operation with Marston‘s Pedigree doubled up and Hobgoblin on the fourth.

Currently run by Marston's, this former town hotel once served the neigbouring shoe empire, and still offers B&B as a pseudo-boutique hotel. There is plenty of parking at the back (you have to pay for it and get a refund when you buy food), and there is a large garden with lawn and seating areas full of loud families, but there is an interesting iron bear sculpture for those who like such art. Inside what is somewhat pretentiously described as a 'rotisserie' which if my schoolboy French is correctly remembered involves inserting steel rods into chickens, though it is in reality nothing more than a standard Marston's food outlet. Thursday is steak (as opposed to stake) night. The staff were not at all engaging. Tormented fowl aside, the food looked very sad and unappetising, more so because of the oversize portions. The traditional décor has been replaced by 'corporate' garish plexiglass room dividers and cheap ornaments, and most of the floorspace is given over to diners. On the plus side it provides an alternative to the JDW or the Clark's snackbars, and the bedrooms look decent. Four handpmps on the bar, with 3 ales on – Wainright's Golden Beer, Hobgoblin and Pedigree which were in reasonable condition. It's OK to drop in for a quick pint, and I'm sure the B&B is good, but I couldn't bear to stay here too long.