The Park, Bradford

The long term licensee here died last year and the pub is now in the same ownership as Q Gardens at the Odsal Stadium. The pub had a reputation for its beer, and they have tried to put this right by replacing all the beer lines: there's no real ale (yet) but my half of Worthington Creamflow was superb. I mentioned this to the lass behind the bar, who lives locally but comes from Leeds, and she said she was glad I'd enjoyed it; I said I wouldn't go as far as that, but it really was remarkable when I consider the dreadful examples of this, Tetleys Smooth, Boddingtons Cream of Manchester and of course John Smiths Smooth Crap that I've had - they could all have been this good with a bit of effort. Speaking of effort, it looks like a large can or two of white paint was applied to the walls for a grand reopening before Christmas, but it's a long way from being a proper refurbishment. Apparently the old boy had 10 cats living upstairs, the effects of which are going to be the next challenge. I hope they make a go of this, and the lass who was working here at the time of my visit looks like she may be spending more time here than at the other venue and seems keen to make visitors feel welcome - especially those wearing a Leeds Rhinos cap, of course!