A pub with no beer but possibly so much more?

11:47pm Thursday 4th December 2008

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The Old Fox is 1.2 miles down the School Lane in Bricket Wood. This pub is hard to find. Just over three months ago it was featured in the Watford Observer struggling to survive. I was intrigued and paid the pub a visit. The barman was able to provide a cheese roll garnished with clingfilm without plate and a lemonade with no ice. No customers.

This week I popped down to see if the Old Fox had disappeared down a burrow. New owners, an enthusiastic manager, lemonade with ice and a freshly made cheese sandwich with salad, all for £3.10 Still no people. Andy the manager was puzzled, 'Haven't got a clue where I am, only been here since Monday.'

Later that day, I asked my partner Joy what she wanted to see in a pub. 'An imaginative play area, not ugly bouncy castles. Maybe even a children's entertainer. A coffee shop with light snacks and different coffees. The laws have changed the ways we drink. It's not just about alcohol anymore, breweries haven't noticed yet. I'd like more vegetarian and homely food, not necessarily elaborate. Often the wine is pants and we need newspapers and second-hand books, even classical music. A woman shouldn't feel intimidated walking into a pub on her own.'

For years the breweries have pushed the publicans to the limit to sell even more barrels of beer. With inflation and the publicans paying for the upkeep of the pubs, the breweries' freeholds were steadily increasing in value. Now with property prices suffering, higher taxation,and the smoking ban it could be time gentlemen please. The £3 pint now looks really expensive. Old male dinosaurs running the breweries will have to wake up and take notice of the woman, who is often the decision maker.

Only recently I was informed by a barperson, 'We are not doing food tonight because there's a darts match.'

I play at The Cock at Sarratt on Sundays, and the music is a fantastic attraction for this destination pub. It's also in the middle of nowhere with a great play area, fine local views of the Chess Valley, roast dinners,open fire, a reasonable glass of shiraz...and the beer isn't bad either. It is really popular. Kids,dogs and appalling grandparents are welcome as long as they are kept on a lead. Even women feel comfortable there!

Will The Old Fox survive a tough cold winter? Maybe, the sorrel and the bluebells in the spring will be joined by homely food, a lively play area and even a coffee shop. I am sure we all hope so.