Starting Gate

Took team of 15 colleagues for working lunch from local IT emporium Micro Focus. Had avoided this pub for last two years as standards, food, service and fair pricing began to slide in 2009/2010.
This visit was a refreshing change and an eye opener. Great food menu with wholesome fresh pup fayre, plus a special burger selection of over 20 choices of varieties to tempt anyone.
Good service including feedback requests from staff on standards. Good selection of beers and finally, competitive pricing for out of town drinking.

After reading reviews on the starting gate I took my family for a meal and was totally amazed at the value quality and presentation of the food,establishment and the staff were very friendly and helpful I will recommend to everyone lovely family environment 5 star

Stopped for something to eat, ended up with a homemade burger, fantastic, the beer was good and so was the welcome.

Whilst eating, I found out that they had a Thursday evening poker game, it starts at 8.30 (ish) £5.00 buy-in with a free rebuy after first three levels, deep stack 6k if only 6 players and 3k free buy so loads of chips, if there are more players, a second table is available, the players were of wide ranging experience, the game was very relaxed, everybody helped each other so if your new to the game this is the place for you, its a great place to go and start getting a feel for real play as opposed to looking at a computer.

For my dinner, 2 beers n two cokes plus the £5.00 poker, I spent just under£20.00 to me, that is great value. (oh, and I split the pot so it didnt really cost me anything!!)

You can land an aeroplane in the car park so there is loads of room no matter what time you turn up.

the bar itself is light and airy and has flat screens all over the place but if you want quiet, there are lots of little alcoves dotted about.

The staff were very welcoming, two of whom played in the game, (Legs and Shelly) and were very enthusiastic and welcome new players.

There are also two pool tables and darts and they have competitions throughout the week with live bands at the weekend.

They offer a wide range of cocktails, shooters etc so I would imagine that the weekend can be quite fun......

I will be going again.

Steve

Fantastic friendly pub - (never judge a book by its cover) Always a warm welcoming atmosphere. Plenty of large flat screen tv's and Sky+ to watch all sports. Excellent live music every weekend. Poker every Thursday and Karaoke 1st Friday of every month which is amazing!!
The food is excellent here - all freshly prepared and homecooked - and there recent development of there "Burger Board" is amazing - trying to work through it myself!!! Yummy!
Nice clean pints and plenty of choice. Wicked drink promo's which make it even easier on the wallet!!
Try this pub out its awesome - Great for a quite drink and bite to eat during the day - and a real laugh and great atmosphere at weekends.

one of my locals, I don’t care what anyone says I always have a laugh here friendly people and good tunes=good times.

Never been in here but i know its always closing down then opening up again under new management

The Starting Gate has recently changed ownership after the couple who previously owned it decided to retire and move onto more personnel things. Sadly they took their two adorable dogs with them…

Having recently undergone a massive refurbishment the Starting Gate is no longer the dingy dive it used to be have more class and eptimome presence that it used to. The pool tables have remained thankfully, as have the many screens for watching the football…but these have been added to by closer more intimate corners for friends.

The food is always very good here, appropriately priced and always served with a welcoming smile and friendly attitude.