Running Horse, The

"The Runner" as it is affectionately known locally, has recently undergone the sort of refurbishment that nowadays signals the saving of a pub that has outrun its attractiveness and awaits being snapped up by somebody with some money, inspiration and business sense. As we know it is happening everywhere, but here it has been done with particular enthusiasm.

Inside, Italian sofas, a marble topped bar, slate floors and smart wooden blinds lend tone to this former haunt of the local racing fraternity.

A light lunch menu is offered with let's say seared scallops with caper dressing or crab cakes with tartare sauce, a far cry from the curly wedges of much earlier times?

Roast Minstead duck with pak choi, broad beans and pink peppercorn also sets new parameters, perhaps followed by chilled vanilla rice pudding, a considerable improvement on the industrialised version freely available in educational establishments of earlier times.

So let's hear it for quality pubs like The Runner who are following, and in some cases leading market demand.