The Village, Walthamstow

I have lived in the area now for 15 years and the Village has been the local perrennial under achiever for all of that time. Yes I had a soft spot for its jaded shabby chic and its carpet so old it had a life of its own. The solid pub grub menu and the unpredictable quality of its beer. But I felt that it was never really loved and if it had a landlord who really cared about the place, with its location, atmosphere, and great outdoor space it could claim total supremacy as THE pub in the area. Imagine my excitement when significant refurbishment was mooted. I walked past the pub every day on my way to work during the redevelopment, excited by the possibility that the pub may at last fulfill its true potential. The cosmetic changes on the outside seemed to indicate that the Village was finally on its way to pub greatness. When it re -opened last week I skipped down there with a pronounced spring in my step eager to be blown away by the new revitalised Village. Life can be so cruel, how by the love of god could they have got it so wrong? The priceless ,`always seems like midnight` semi darkness has been replaced by spotlit perpetual daylight and the fabulous floor to ceiling bar replaced by an open plan bar area. In short, what was an atmospheric pub bar is now a a brightly lit room with a bar in the corner. The outside area which is one of the pubs best features is still underused and shabby, anyone for a jetwash?. The better half and myself both had a pint of GK IPA which was not good , and neither of us was able to finish it ( see global list of things that never happen!, this has probably not occurred since Jonathan Ross was entertaining). In short a golden opportunity missed, or maybe I am out of step with what people want from a pub these days. Oh well maybe in another 15 years!

21 Jun 2009 15:59