Cross Roads Hotel, Northampton

A Chef & Brewer chain pub with a large Premier Inn attached.Once through the front door from the large car park ,you are met by a "Wait to be Seated" sign which immediately destroys the pub feel although it was quite clear that many customers have no intention of ordering food from the large chain type menu,so drinkers are tolerated at least.The interior is rambling with quite a low ceiling but the old beams and post are just design features in a faux interior.The corporate carpets and furniture give the game away ,although there are some pictures around of Weedon many moons ago.The muzak was annoying,while the fruit machine flashed it's lights but failed to attract customers. There are many handpumps,a lot unclipped leaving a very poor choice of CW Directors,GK Old Speckled Hen and Doom Bar,far too warm but a drinkable half.A lot of the food custom comes from folk holed up in the Premier Inn while on business during the week,to an extend a captive audience and maybe the reason that standard have slipped here over the years.There are better and more authentic pubs in the village.