A pub without good banter has no soul so it is fortunate that this fun and friendly boozer has it in spades whether you're a familiar face or a stranger, stepping inside for the first time. The New Chequers Inn is a large pub in Astwood Road in Worcester and is now undergoing something of a revival since it was taken over by a husband and wife team eight weeks ago. This is a is a place that prides itself on the quality of its craic and the friendliness of its staff and I'm greeted warmly by landlord, Gareth Hughes, a gregarious Welshman from Swansea who, like his customers, feels the place has already turned a corner.
Mr Hughes and landlady Donna Hughes want to see more customers through the doors of this palatial mock Tudor pub and are doing all they can to bring it back to its best. SATISFIED: Frank McAuley enjoys a pint at the New Chequers Inn in Astwood Road, Worcester (Image: James Connell/Newsquest photos) Their efforts appear to be working as regular Frank McAuley, 77, who has been coming here for around 30 years is impressed by how it is being run. "It's a nice friendly pub.
The beer is good and it's good value," he said. Now, back to that banter. Rumour has it that one customer returned from the toilet to sip his pint only to find that some form of strange alchemy had occurred and he could not imbibe the no doubt refreshing beverage.
Apparently some joker had put clingfilm over the top of the glass. This is the sort of banter it is hard to come by these days. SPACE: .