The Badger, Eccleshall

Trumpet

Well-Known Forumite
Reopened last Thursday, so decided to have a wander up yesterday tea time, met three local chaps just leaving who were less than impressed.
Young chap behind the bar was, apparently, the onsite live in security whilst the place was closed and has stayed over to work the bar. Landlady was propping the bar up showing no real interest in the customers present.
Free range dog allowed behind the bar, don't know whether pub dog or customer's dog but it's sure to put some people off. Free range young children as well, including one sat at the bar.
Wish we'd picked up a menu though as we were told later that there are 27 spelling mistakes including sandwich, Eccleshall and Stafford.
We mentioned that we were very close neighbours and thought in these hard times that they would have picked up on that and tried to encourage a couple potential new customers.
Mind you, it is an Enterprise pub so it's probably hard to muster up any enthusiasm when you know you'll be out of there in three months time.
I know this sound very negative and cynical but new businesses just need to try a bit these days, especially when your six local competitors have a potentially larger catchment area.
 

ExiledInStaffers

Well-Known Forumite
Managed to login for the first time on the new site, to comment on this. Was excited that it was being reopened. In the absence of it becoming a decent Italian/French restaurant I was glad it was going to become a proper pub again. I popped in on Thursday and there was a pool table. And a new carpet. Aside from that it was exactly the same as the old Badger, without stools at the bar. Or for that matter, a restaurant really. Didn't see any menus but not surprised. Same old furniture. Same everything really (toilets looked to have been updated), but ultimately so disappointed that on Saturday, when a friend wanted to pop in to see it, I persuaded them it was a bit too ropey. So we went to the bell and Royal Oak instead. Should also point out I was never a massive fan of the badger/old smithy menu anyway. Way too expensive starters and quality of food wasn't really good enough (over cooked steaks etc). I'd rather eat at the Chef and Brewer at J14.. even though it means having to drive...
 

shoes

Well-Known Forumite
The eagle on the corner near the Stafford Road/Newport Road mini island comes highly recommended from me.

The bloke who was probably behind the bar / live in security at le blaireau would have been Egg - old friend of mine.
 

John Marwood

I ♥ cryptic crosswords
Quoting a local here, but one whose opinion is usually shared

Badger is shyte
Eagle is good for sports TV and has a nice Pale Ale and some good craic
The George is OK but lacking a bit of atmosphere
The Kings Arms - Gawd
The Smithy - Confused
Royal Oak - Proper pub feel and good ale
Rugby Club - Where's ya tie
The Crown - Have you made an appointment?
The Star - Ruddy marvelous, keep it quiet though wont you
 

Trumpet

Well-Known Forumite
Shame that, he seemed a decent sort. Good Jubilee 'do' going on at The Oak last Sunday when we returned from hols.
 

Trumpet

Well-Known Forumite
Current incumbent moving out 10th June. Goodbye redundancy / home equity or whatever they put up to get in there. Enterprise strike again. I hear that Joules are moving away from their current business model and are looking to purchase a couple of dozen pubs that won't be tied to just their own products.
 
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