The Kings Head, Hailsham

Sizeable pub located in a prominent position on the junction in the centre of the village. The bar has been given quite a light refurbishment at some stage, although the tables would look more at home in a restaurant, as do those in the function room beyond. Indeed, the two other - more traditional - rooms off to the left are wholly assigned to those dining and meals are obviously the focus here. Anyway, Harvey's (£4.80) is available from one of the three handpumps.

I see that the previous comment back in October last year notes that this pub was closed for refurbishment and when I visited a couple of weeks ago there was still a pile of rubble out the back and the woman behind the bar was discussing on going works, but the Kings Head was open. Unfortunately for a pub lover like me it was a bit disappointing as this is a large pub that has been split and the larger old lounge bar side is now used as a restaurant and the food didn’t look cheap. The public bar on the right hand side still has a pub atmosphere, but the décor is minimal with a few stock car pictures up on the wall. However, there is a dartboard and a Hailsham dart league fixture list up on the wall so this pub obviously has a team. There is no TV, but a radio was playing complete with adverts which I could have done without. The bar is stocked with standard draught products along with Stowford Press cider and there are two hand pumps that were drawing Harveys Best and Old Sussex. There was some live music advertised for the end of January so it is not a regular occurrence. There is a beer garden out the back along with many pieces of children’s play apparatus, but as I mentioned before there is a lot of builder’s rubble laying about. This place does feel like a pub in transition which is why I was so surprised that this refurbishment was started over a year ago. The Guinness was good, but not the cheapest at £3.40 a pint so I doubt that I will be swinging by here again.

Acknowledgement

A Timothy Taylor managed house, it usually has most of their range on, also Peroni, Amstel and Becks on draught plus a UK made lager and a fizzy cider. The latest renovation has worked better than the last one before Taylors took over. The unfeasibly high stools have gone replaced by modern but comfortable seating. Lighter wood and chrome decor in a large single space but with discrete areas including a raised area seemingly a dining space. Friendly and attentive staff. Busy with a mixed clientele including some children eating here this lunchtime when I called in for a much needed pint of Landlord. Popular with a younger age group in the evenings as it's almost next door to a night club.

Currently closed and "reopening soon", Don't worry too much though - there's genuine rebuilding going on inside. [Edit: Admin saw this but took no action due to potential reopening 6/10/09]