Going underground

Not that Bar Talk is implying that the pub was ever dirty, it's just hard to find stone flag floors that don't look at least a little dusty. The ones in the Cellars gleam.

It's all part of the £55,000 facelift, itself part of the £12.5 million countrywide investment scheme from owners the Laurel Pub Company. As well as the stone floors, the wooden floor in the lower part of the pub and the table tops have all been cleaned up too.

The second thought was "haven't they got a lot of beers" - four regular beers, four guests, and a selection of bottle Belgian beers (trying saying that after you've had a few of them).

Bar Talk tried the Adnams (clean, refreshing and fruity) and Deuchar's IPA (also clean and refreshing, but this time with a hoppier taste), both of which are on the regulars list (yippee!)

Having almost been distracted by the fascinating wine list, which includes Banrock Station, Rosemount Estates and Jacob's Creek in both reds and whites, Bar Talk remembered we were here on a beer mission and gave in to the temptation of the Belgians - a Belhaven Framboise and Kriek (or two) to be precise. For those not in the know that's a raspberry and a cherry flavoured continental-style beer - and we would say don't knock it till you've tried it!

During the consumption of these beers (it's all in the line of duty - honest!), we sat and watched the clientele of the Cellars wander past. They're a right mixed bunch: this is not meant as an insult, it makes for an interesting pub.

As well as a good mix of people, beers and wines, there's plenty of choice on the menu. In May this is also getting an overhaul and will include such delights as the Curry Club, where you can buy a curry and a beer for a set price.

Bar manager Jo Mills has plenty more new ideas for the coming months too. She said: "I'm sure the refurbishment will have the pub heaving with people."

Pete West, of the Laurel Pub Company raved about Jo, praising her "fresh and exciting ideas, which will put the pub on everyone's must visit list".

The aim of the refurbishment was to bring the more traditional elements of the pub to the forefront but in keeping with the contemporary style, which is certainly appears to have done.

Jo's aim is "to make the Cellars the great pub I know it can be and make everyone welcome". She's certainly doing a great job of it so far, creating a real-ale haven in the city centre.

- PANSIES and polyanthuses are now available with your pint at the Ship Inn, Shiptonthorpe, near Market Weighton, after green-fingered landlord Roger Mitchell got in to a row with another local trader.

The York Road pub has shifted hundreds of the colourful garden treats and Roger, a former florist, is planning to expand his range as new supplies become available.

The mild-mannered 54-year-old told Bar Talk that a successful application by nearby Langlands Garden Centre for a licence to serve alcohol with food had left him with no other option.

He said that at this rate you would soon be offered a pint at the chemist while your prescription is made up.

Roger is so angry about the licence that he has become a parish councillor to learn more about how these decisions are made but he says it is unlikely that future meetings will be held at his pub.

And he complains that everyone should be left alone to make a living - his being to serve top-notch Sunday lunches for a bargain £3.95 along with pints of John Smiths and Black Sheep and a dose of Country and Western once a week.

Meanwhile drinkers are snapping up trays of multicoloured bedding plants which sell for between 40p and £1.50 each.

Garden centre boss Robert Ducker wished Roger good luck and said he didn't think the enterprise posed much of a threat to his business.

Bar Talk thinks that Sundays are best spent in the garden or the pub and is rejoicing that we can now safely combine the two.

- FROM one set of sozzled scribes to another, we send this message: "Congratulashuns!"

Our toast is aimed at the magnificent team of hacks that put together York CAMRA's organ, the Ouse Boozer.

The magazine has just become the first winner of the Alewords Award for CAMRA branches in Yorkshire.

Out of the 11 journals available across the broad acres, the Ouse Boozer was tops.

Judges commended its high standards of writing and design. "For residents or visitors to the York and Scarborough areas who pick up the magazine in a pub, it provides first class, up-to-the-minute news on local pubs and beers, interesting features on the national trade and good campaigning articles.

"The layout deserves particular recognition."

Editor Helen Balawajder has already received a framed certificate and will be presented with the trophy - a beer handpull with an inscribed pump clip - at CAMRA's national AGM in Scarborough next month.

Bar Talk can only endorse the judges' verdict. Ouse Boozer is so packed with stuff, it would be easy for lazy journalists simply to nick items from it and reproduce them in a reputable evening paper. Not that this would happen here, you understand...

- PAUL Watson and Jo Hodges at the Clifton Hotel, Water Lane, York, are also celebrating. The pub has been voted the regional winner in an annual competition run by pub operating company, Avebury Taverns.

The Clifton Hotel was named Pub of the Year out of 300 Avebury pubs in the North East.

Judges from Avebury and the award sponsors Bass Brewers visited the Clifton, commenting on the excellent standards right across the business.

Paul said: "We were so pleased to be recognised for our effort, and we plan to follow it up with a celebratory party for our customers."

Paul and Jo took on this pub early last year when it was tired and run down. They initially concentrated their efforts on regaining local business, refurbished and decorated externally, created a menu and catered for sports enthusiasts in an endeavour to capture all different types of clientele.

Later they let rooms and started marketing their boozer on the Internet.

- DRINKERS across York groaned after prices for big selling beers including John Smiths, Fosters and Kronenbourg rose this week by an average of 3p a pint when the Tadcaster brewery's owner Scottish Courage announced an annual price increase. Long suffering beer and lager fans are likely to be hit by a further increase when the delayed budget is announced in a few months' time.

Updated: 08:45 Saturday, March 09, 2002