Cricketers Arms, Birmingham

Quite a plain yet attractive inter-war pub that has obviously seen better days, but is a welcome survivor in the surrounding semi-modified former industrial landscape. It features a two-part bar at the front: the main counter and seating area to the left and the pool table plus a little more seating to the right. Decor is football-related, as one would expect close to the Birmingham City ground. A lounge (reputedly with some heritage features) can also be found at the back, but that was closed when I visited. No real ale, of course, so went for the uncommon Ansells Mild (£2.50).

This is a detached pub, with a few benches outside. It is a 1950s pub in a landscape that has changed a lot over the previous half century. The pub is in plain brick, with a glazed tile frontage in white and black. The interior has a single room that i saw, which is in fact two former rooms, with the door taken out in-between. One side of the room is in cream and has a pool table, the other is in red and brown, with a brick fireplace. Both sides have a wood floor and old photos on the walls. There are several TVs, which had the footy on and there was Irish easy listening music coming from the jukebox. The service was friendly and the clientele locals, and on the mature side at my visit. Beer; no real ale, just the usual keg drinks with an OK Ansell's MILD. Happy enough to have stopped by for a swifty.