Some readers may be wondering, "Where is Ye Olde Smithy?" Well, perhaps you remember it as the Crown and Anchor on Albert Street, writes Ken Lee. Twe1ve months ago, after being shut for some time, it was bought by Mike and Jan Smith, who have worked wonders in resurrecting this 1920's pub. It was in poor shape, very dark and dirty, with the bar ceiling down, and it took three months of concentrated effort to bring it up to its present immaculate condition. Mike and Jan were determined to retain the best of the original-features, and the-Smithy now has superb doors, windows and (especially) skylights in the bar. There's lots of good paneling, and the lounge has the original bar although a new top had to be fitted - some brewery "designer" had glued formica on it.

The lounge is at the front of the building, on the left as you go in, and the larger bar is straight ahead. Both are very comfortably furnished to a high standard, and are light and cheerful. For those of you interested in pub architecture, it is worth paying a visit to the Smithy just to admire the splendid skylights in the bar. Remember to thank Jan for cleaning every inch of them with a toothbrush. There is a TV for racing in the afternoon, and football at other times, but it isn't just switched on and left on. There is a separate games room off the bar. The Smithy opened on the 24^th of July last year so with this issue of Potters Bar we can offer a "Happy Birthday" wish to Mike and Jan. This is their fourth pub, but the first for sixteen years. After running pubs in Nottingham, Grantham and Derbyshire they changed direction to another side of the licensed trade, and set up a wholesale company supplying beer wine and spirits to pubs and clubs. They still have that company but now it is well established they decided they would like a pub of their own and saw the potential of the former Crown and Anchor. Their vision has been vindicated by their customers – they are very pleased with the trade, doing better business than they had estimated for their first year.

So what brings people in? The comfortable surroundings obviously play a large part, but the main thing is the beer. First, the Smithy is the only outlet in the Potteries for Everards of Leicester. Mike always has Everards Beacon (3.8%) and Tiger (4.2%) on, plus three other guest beers. The guests change frequently, and give locals a chance of trying beers from around the country, and of trying them at any time: the Smithy is open from 12 to 1l Monday-to Saturday, and 12-4, 7-10.30 on Sunday. Good value lunches (£2-£3) are served every day except Wednesday. For Sunday reservations, call 01782-660387. For social activities you may like to try early doors from about 5-7, or the darts teams (men's and ladies) or the crib team, or the free Sunday evening quiz.

One welcome benefit to local drinkers of Mike having his own wholesale business is his idea of having an Octoberfest and a Springfest. For the whole October last year and May this year he held the prices of all his beers down. In May, for example Beacon Bitter was only £l.10 per pint, and the top price, for Everards Old Original (5.2%), was £1.65. If he can do it, why can't other better known names do it?

Ye Olde Smithy is a credit to Mike and Jan Smith and their staff. It shows what can be achieved by an enthusiastic couple, who are not limited by the blinked approach of many breweries and pub chains.

The Pub of the Month Presentation is Thursday 10^th June, at 9.00pm.

Buses to and from Newcastle along King St. or Brunswick St/George St pass either end of Albert St. Call PMT on 207999.