The Old Black Bull, Preston

Disappointing. I came, as I am a sucker for external tiling. Its also on a Lancs CAMRA pub crawl itinerary and a former pub of the year. I dont know what year. The TT Landlord was in ropey condition. Not bad enough to take back but bad enough that you think the brewery would stop them selling it in inferior quality. Signs on the walls saying "drug taking not tolerated". Which you know means there is a drug taking problem. Slightly grim atmosphere that you can get when peed up thugs are mingling with students, who do not know about pool etiquette. So many better places in town to spend your money.

A fine-looking building with a Tudorbethan upper facade, but the glazed green tilework lower down is spectacular. Unfortunately, there is no character left in the comprehensively remodelled bar space, pool area or slightly lower side room. That just leaves the small front 'vault' where the dartboard is located as being the least altered part. As a Greene King house, it was no surprise to find IPA (£3.80) on the three handpumps, with Landlord available as a guest on another.