They’ve ruined the Horn In Hand by renovating it

It’s been about a month now since the pub was refurbished and I’ve had chance to try and relax but I’m still pissed. It’s not the drunk kind for once because I still can’t bring myself to buy a beverage in the “renovated” Horn In Hand, my second home.

I shall make no bones about the fine institution that is was the Horn In Hand being a place where I spent too many hours drinking Newcastle Brown with almost everybody I had ever met for years but now the eternal wisdom of the “boffins” that sit around glass tables at the Stonegate Pub Company have passed on its reputation and affected too many pubs and bars to mention across the nation.

Newcastle Brown: was £2.95, now £3.65

Most call it the “Wetherspoon’s Effect” which is the name of the cancer that has been spreading ever since the 2007 Smoking Ban in pubs that has caused independent pubs to lock up or sell to big breweries and pub chains. The effects of this disease are lack of atmosphere, lounge like decor, warm beer (when supposed to be chilled) and a quasi-restaurant feel all of which are entirely revolting. The Horn In Hand has gone much further, adding Ikea furniture and vapid decorations with fake plants everywhere, it looks like a place for light revision and a coffee.

It’s all from Ikea

This renovation which has cost over £200,000 (how you spend that much in Ikea I have no idea) is an exercise in marketing and profit driving. This place is a cornerstone of Nottingham where people go in their droves because of it being next door to Stealth/Rescue Rooms and around the corner from Rock City, you couldn’t have a pub in a better place but I fear some may abandon it now as it looks crossed between a greenhouse and a vegan restaurant and the fact that it really is quite expensive.

The pub has had history too which has been annihilated, as a student and a local I know people who used to go their in the 70s and people of all ages that once walked up the six beer soaked steps into a world of rejoice. Formerly going by the cheekier name Spread Eagle and later Speak Easy, this place has survived generation after generation of pub goers and now there is no evidence it has that rich history.

I wanted to hold off referring to the place as a “rock pub” because it was more than that, every kind of person could be found inside and apart from a lunatic regular called Paul everybody was nice. As for the kind of people who have been going there for years will this new look keep them in? I don’t think so.

Billy is not a satisfied customer

But now its full of Yeezy, North Face clad students and people in tight sweatpants not even drinking alcohol. Even the bar staff have a wintry smile on their faces that creeps me out.

Clean toilets are the sign of a naff pub

You may call it a matter of personal taste but the Horn In Hand was undeniably an unofficial cultural heritage site of Nottingham nightlife. Thanks to various issues with pub culture this is such an empty surprise and one I should have seen coming.

Taken early Thursday evening where the Horn used to have ‘Quids In/Pound a Pint Night’ but no more, and no customers

There used to be an elderly jukebox, what looked like a Victorian era condom machine, graffiti inside the urinals, tacky 80s glitter on the walls and floor of the ladies (yeah I’ve been in), punch cracks in the glass and the oldest pub furniture around, renovation can’t give you that sense of history.

Astroturf… inside

To me this renovation feels like breaking up with your girlfriend who you love dearly but it just doesn’t work anymore. You split up still in love and keep a picture of her in your wallet always dreaming of all that was and all that could have been, walking on alone but always looking back.

Oh, and they’ve got rid of the pool table too.