The Firefly, Bourne End

Was taken over about a year ago and underwent a bit of a refurbishment, during which the place was smartened up, a space opened up at the back as a dining room and the beer and food offerings greatly improved. A big improvement especially on the beer front, where three new hand pumps were added and at least 4 ales were on offer.. Sadly, don't know if it is due to the location, or former reputation or what, but unfortunately the new incumbents couldn't make a go of it and the place has now closed and is currently boarded up. And in the current economic climate I guess this place has a very uncertain future and is destined to become more housing, especially as there is a sizeable garden space out back..

Have only visited at lunchtimes due to its locality close to my office, and only usually tend to visit when the nearby Bounty is shut for winter and we fancy a change from the Walnut Tree. It’s a fairly traditional two bar layout, one being a saloon bar for drinking and the other is laid to tables for the pub food. Standard beer choice and , despite their being three handpumps , only one has ever been operational during my visits and this is invariably London Pride, which is usually OK. There is usually only a few regulars in of a lunchtime and I cannot comment to what this place is like in the evening. It’s handy for Bourne End rail station, so OK for a quick pint if you are waiting to escape BE on one of the infrequent train services, otherwise I wouldn’t bother.