The Squire Knott, Oldham

Popped in this lunch time to see how things have gone since opening as a non-Spoons. First impressions are not great as there is no signage outside, just a blank purple background with no lettering. The two banks of hand pumps still exist at the bar but not a single one was clipped, so am assuming real ale is gone for good. There are reports on Facebook they are no longer doing food, despite the pub's own Facebook page advertising food only a couple of months ago. Absolutely dead at the time of my visit, a couple of solitary older chaps dotted around the place and one table with a small group of gents. If you can imagine a post apocalyptic Wetherspoons with no real ale, no food and no customers, it about sums this place up.

This pub is now open under the new owners - no longer a JDW / Lloyds. It's apparently due a refurb this month and it currently feels like it is barely open. It was pretty dead when I visited yesterday lunch time, just a few old guys sat alone looking miserable (plus me of course). The staff seemed to be milling around trying to get familiar with the building, changing light bulbs etc. I assume they are not currently doing food and that's the reason it was dead. When it was a Lloyds the majority of people in there were eating. Would be unfair to rate at the moment as it is clearly in a transitional phase, so I look forward to seeing what the refurb brings. In terms of real ale yesterday there was Madog's Ale by Purple Moose Brewery, plus a couple of the big national brings (I think Greene King IPA and can't remember the other). The Madog was a very average bitter, quite bland.

A small Wethers with possibly the worst selection of cask ales on. Maybe I was unlucky but 5 out of 10 pumps serving cider outside of their cider festival is a bit crap. And I don't mind cider.