The Stores, Oldbury

Old-school pub set between light industrial units and opposite a housing estate, self-described as a 'Bar & Grill' which seems improbable as you cross the basic front patio. The bar area is fairly plain, but some of the furniture is more modern than one might expect. The surprise comes further back where a fair-sized dining room can be found, together with an operational kitchen with a menu that is hardly unsophisticated but cheap and clearly serving local workers coming off shift. Facilities then extend to a slightly split-level, partly covered rear patio garden. No real ale of course, but at least the Worthington Smoothflow is only £2.30.