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The Dyke Tavern is no more
The pub closest to me has recently been refurbished and reopened as The Dyke. They've spruced it up and it looks like they've made it a little more Gastropubesque.
I actually think this is a shame.
It's not that I liked the Dyke Tavern. It was a grotty place full of the type of rough bloke I didn't really feel comfortable around. It was also kinda tatty.
But the thing is, the clientele liked it. They wanted that sort of a place. It fitted a niche. It served decent enough beer and food and had a dart board and a pool table. I didn't need to go there. The rough blokes who like that sort of place all went there. Now a place they liked has been changed for the benefit of a more middle class crown (which would nominally include me). The darts board and pool table are gone. More tables for the fancy restaurant have been added. I can't help but feel we've stolen something from them.
I actually think this is a shame.
It's not that I liked the Dyke Tavern. It was a grotty place full of the type of rough bloke I didn't really feel comfortable around. It was also kinda tatty.
But the thing is, the clientele liked it. They wanted that sort of a place. It fitted a niche. It served decent enough beer and food and had a dart board and a pool table. I didn't need to go there. The rough blokes who like that sort of place all went there. Now a place they liked has been changed for the benefit of a more middle class crown (which would nominally include me). The darts board and pool table are gone. More tables for the fancy restaurant have been added. I can't help but feel we've stolen something from them.