The Fleece, Wakefield

Solid locals pub on the main drag, little to comment on, we’ve all seen these fairly characterless places a hundred times. Nothing wrong, punters harmless, staff friendly, bland corporate decor with a few old photos and things. The usual compliment of screens and machines, the music was almost unobtrusive. A selection of UK favourite kegs over three T-bars, cold -18C Jagermeister is advertised in the front window. The stall in the Gents appears to have been kicked in on several occasions, nice.

Official site of The Fleece - www.fleecehorbury.co.uk

Once waggishly described as a giant block of Red Leicester, owing to its long standing orange paintwork, The Fleece is a solid, traditional looking, high street local, which belies a surprisingly modern interior. The large open plan space is light and airy, though obviously converted from several rooms down the years. Stained wainscoting lines the walls, alongside upholstered benches and there is a good variety of other seating styles including high tables and stools. To the left of the bar is a pool table and dart board, with a semi covered outdoor area just beyond. There is also a garden to the rear of the pub. During my visit, there were three hand pumps at the bar, offering Doombar, Leeds ‘Pale’ and Castle Rock ‘Harvest Pale’. Opting for the latter two, they were in good nick, which was to be quietly hoped for, with current manager, Lisa Wood, once running the highly regarded Cricketers Arms alehouse, just down the road. Gradually, she plans to increase the number of ales on offer. Service from the young bar team was warm and welcoming and there was a lively Friday teatime atmosphere when I called. However, I couldn’t envisage an extended session here, as it’s just not my sort of place. As a modern mainstream pub, it ticks all the boxes, but, in doing so, maybe just lacks a certain something. Having said that, the prospect of improved beer quality and choice is probably enough to entice me in for one, when doing a future crawl in the town. Visited July 2014.

Official site of The Fleece - www.fleecehorbury.co.uk