The New Rose & Crown, Birmingham

The pub has been closed for a number of years now but a a couple of years ago there appeared to be some building work being carried out including the fitting of a number of new windows and frames but then nothing else. I pass the building from time to time and always look [hopefully] for signs of any activity. It could of course be work done to convert the pub to dwellings.

Now the only pub left in the middle of Rubery, and even this looks very run down from the street. Things look up (very slightly) once inside since the main bar area is tidy enough. There are also rooms at the far end and further back, both refurbished at some stage, although these don't seem to be in regular use. No real ale, of course, and the Hardy & Hanson's Dark proved to be a mirage, so John Smith's (£2.60) it inevitably had to be. On the plus side, the music was quite good, and the regulars were happy taking no notice of me whatsoever.