Dropped in on Friday night, just on the off chance that they may still be doing food at the Bear....Only to find that the new management structure has taken over and improving things already.
They lay out is slightly different with no high tables or chairs near to the bar. Straight away a different, more positive atmosphere in there.
The lad behind the bar served us straight away with immediate enthusiasm in telling us what the new offers were, including 20% off all food for the new few weeks, and Wainwrights ale at £2 a pint....score!! Attentive, polite and decent lad. Also met the new caretaker land lord and hear chef there who had come down from Lincoln to sort the place out and to steady the ship there.
Both spot on, and very willing to engage with everyone who came into the bar and ordered any food, stating their intentions to completely over haul the place, including the kitchen, cellar and to improve the staffs training and moral....to which the previous "manager" Jack, and to quote verbatim the existing member of staff...was a "massive d*ck". I think most people could agree on this description f the way things were dealt with.
We had a few issues with the food, mainly that is was red hot one end, but cold the other, not sure how that happened, but it was resolved straight away with a new item, and an unreserved apology.
All in all, I think the bear is in safe hands and will be back to its former great self with more live music, a better atmosphere and to become the town pub it always has been.
I definitely recommend going in and having a chat and a hear what their plans are.