Miller & Carter Weston Gateway, West Wick, Weston Super Mare

Official site of Miller & Carter Weston Gateway - www.millerandcarter.co.uk

Official site of Miller & Carter Weston Gateway - www.millerandcarter.co.uk

An out-of-the-box M&C, exactly as expected and whose layout is as described by Blackthorn, below. This chain has definitely declined in attractiveness since its first appearance, mainly in that so few of their outlets now offer real ale. This branch is no exception – the ales described below have gone, and there was an array of megakeg lagers and Guinness, plus a cider to complement their rather dull wine list. Chieftain IPA was the sole keg ale, served much too cold by a clumsy teenager. There was no real character here, the atmosphere was initially pleasant but that was ruined by a ghastly, inelegant hen party, and the location isn’t great; it’s tucked away in the middle of a featureless ring-road housing estate. I’d come back for an emergency steak, and maybe those so inclined might bring their bit-on-the-side here, but it’s not somewhere I’d come for a drink or an evening out with people I actually like

A relatively new build pub to serve the new build housing estates that surround it, this was until recently called the Bucket & Spade (even though it’s actually a couple of miles from the beach) but is now under the Harvester brand. There is a reasonable amount of outside seating, but it’s a patio rather than a garden and the outlook is a busy roundabout and a supermarket, so it’s not the most attractive spot. It’s a good size internally, and divided in to a number of different sections, some very much more geared up for eating. The décor is inoffensive, but being a modern chain pub it has that same bland, corporate feel that so many others do, although the sanded wooden floor perhaps makes a change from the more usual carpet. There’s certainly nothing interesting or unique about it unless you count a couple of old black and white photographs of Weston seafront. The wood panelled bar counter is in front of you as you enter with racks of wine bottles up above it and the restaurant down at the right hand end. I did not investigate this, but noticed their “famous” salad bar, “famous” dressing and toppings bar, and even a sauces bar, although this did not appear to be famous. A raised seating area is at the front of the pub and a snug off to the left, which was actually a cosy enough spot with carpet on the floor and a tiled fire-place to one side, although the plasma screen stuck on the wall above it spoilt the ambience somewhat. Fortunately the volume was off so this was not too intrusive. Paintwork in here was largely battleship grey compared to the sandy colour in the rest of the pub. Beers on tap were Butcombe and Doom Bar, whilst a third pump appeared unused. Ciders meanwhile were Thatcher’s Gold and Strongbow. Service at the bar was perhaps a little slow due to only one person serving, but they were friendly enough. Overall there’s nothing really wrong with this pub and I’m sure it serves the local populace well enough, but it’s unlikely to be somewhere that anyone would make a point of going to, unless perhaps you’re after a famous salad.