The Old Courthouse, Farnborough

Is now a fully functioning Tesco Express.

Boarded up with 'Tesco coming soon' signage on the boarding.

A former pub, which was closed by police last year following the death of a customer, could be turned into a Tesco convenience store. A planning application was submitted this month to replace the entrance door and windows to the former Old Courthouse pub in Cove Road, Farnborough, with the aim of converting it into an Express store.

The Old Courthouse is a fairly big U shaped pub with tired décor and furniture that has seen better days. I counted five hand pumps with clips on them, but only Bass and Pride were available as the Doom Bar, ESB, and Ordinary were all off during my visit early on a recent Friday afternoon. There is a standard draught range, but the Guinness I received was only just drinkable – Maybe I should have stuck to the Fosters or Stella like all of the locals in attendance. There is a sign saying that football is shown and there is a large plasma screen up on the wall, but I didn’t spot any signs for Sky Sports and whilst England were playing in the Cricket World Cup this pub was showing rolling news. At the rear of the pub there is a function room that was opened up for anyone that wanted to play on the pool table. There is some seating at the rear of the pub which was being used by smokers and there are some picnics behind some railings at the front entrance. I thought that this place was a bit grim and I would walk past if in the area again.

A recent visit suggests this pub needs to get with the times, old fashioned interior does not look cool, it looks old and tired!! Update this pub.

Cask Marque approved pub with an old looking interior in a big open plan room. The bar is stiff with hand pumps, 11 I believe, with 4 or 5 ales on sale from Fullers, Bass and Hogsback. This promises much but sadly on this occasion it did not deliver. My first pint was thick, cloudy and definitely smelling of acetic acid. This was instantly and graciously exchanged for a second pint but although better still not really up to much. I held my nose and finished it but suffered badly as a result the next day. Comfortable and spacious with old beams and tudor brickwork. Friendly enough and lively although some customers looked like they'd been there since morning opening time, - God knows why. A visit that demonstrated why keg beer was invented.