The Leopard, Burton on Trent

This is an end terraced pub, half in brick, half rendered. I believe the pub is Victorian. The pub has just re-opened, after a closure, with a new landlady. The pub, in blue and grey, is as described by the worthy Aqualung (pool and darts still there), with a few modern pictures and a guitar on the walls. Tvs were not on and there was no music. The new occupier was very friendly and a couple of lads were in. Beer, tap stuff with a decent enough Pedigree on handpull. Basic but tidy, I didn't mind my stop off here.

This one is now a Marston tied house and consists of an open plan wide room that is separated into different areas. To the left as you enter there is pool and darts and on the far right a small area with a large TV. The ceiling is fairly low with beams but any sense of genuine age is somewhat ruined by the windows which have been made to look like old Marston's etched ones by applying laminate plastic sheets to them and it's very obvious! Although there are five hand pumps three were unused and two were taken uo by Pedigree. I almost burst out laughing when I saw what was written on a blackboard. It announced that a Guest Ale was coming "as chosen by our customers" and it was none other than boring Directors now brewed by Marston in Bedford. Some guest ale! I went for the Pedigree (£3.10) which was dearer than the previous two pubs but tasted slightly better. I thought this one was OK and got the impression that whoever was running it was giving it their all but I wouldn't mind betting that as I've found in North Wales this was a much better place as a Burtonwood pub.