P5, Cheadle

I wanted to like this, my final pub of a day in Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme, as I'm a fan of Holts Bitter, but there was something not quite right about it. It's a large railway pub, though why they changed the name from Platform 5 to P5 is beyond me. The bar is large and central, with all rooms knocked through but screens suggesting walls. On the whole, it was quite nicely presented and unpretentious, but still I couldn't bring myself to like it. There were plenty of real ales: five from Holts, including a Mild and a Cherry Mild, plus a guest from Chorlton Brewery. I had a half of my favourite bitter, and added a half of Holts Mild (the regular one!) as well, as I haven't had this before. Unfortunately it seems like no one else has been drinking it either, as it was distinctly tired. Perhaps this is the problem with the pub, that it's not hitting the right note to get enough people in to turn over the beers enough to make it an attractive place for more people to come. But then I've only been here for half an hour on a Wednesday afternoon, so what do I know? Date of visit: 27th April 2022