Trev
Yes the Cross Keys is a lot quieter... I don't ever remember it being that quiet before.
A lot of the old regulars from the 'Keys seem to have moved next door to the 'Shoes... some have even made the long old haul round the corner to the Star.
This isn't just because of the smoking ban or the economic downturn that's made many of us tighten our belts a bit.
In the case of the 'Keys its simply the way the pub has been run over the last few years.
I sincerely hope Chris does have some success in turning it around.
Thinking back to what it was like when Sam was manager and how it was in the past few months is no comparison.
Still look at who has run the pub in the inbetween times. Says something for the managing company (Mitchell&Butlers I think) They sold the 'Shoes because it didn't take any money, and then managed to lose nearly all the trade the 'Keys had. The words that come to mind about M&B are that they couldn't manage pissup in a brewery, let alone a village pub.
At least I haven't seen any drug dealing taking place for a while in the 'Keys. Where have the scum gone anyway? Castle Oak? - certainly not the Swan.