Benks, Leek

Benks spent some time under the ownership of Joules, and there is still reference to the brewery throughout, but this is now an independent pub. The interior is U-shaped with a central U-shaped serving counter that supports standard and premium keg alongside four hand pumps, two of which were in use drawing Bass and Strom brewing’s Isobar. Dartboards are found across the attractive etched front windows either side of the central front entrance and two more dartboards are found up the right hand side of the pub where two pool tables also reside. Standard tables run up the left and a banquette runs across the rear. The service was polite, but the jukebox was supplying some very slow music that started to drain my energy, so I supped up my half Bass and made for the exit.

A street corner local on the edge of the town centre, this pub was previously called the Union House, still named as such in the etched glass of the front windows. The signage indicates it was owned by Boddingtons Brewery, sadly long since defunct. A recent paint job inside has resulted in off-white plain walls above a waist high dado rail, with wood panelling or red paint below. There are no pictures, so perhaps there is still work to do, as the place has an unfinished feel about it. There are four hand pumps like an afterthought at the far end of the bar, with just two beers on when I was here: Hop Back Crop Circle and Cross Bay Sunset Blonde. I had the latter, which is an OK beer but not really to my taste. There's darts and a juke box, and a number of only-just-18s were amusing themselves. This wouldn't be my first choice of pub on a return visit to Leek.