One of the best pubs/restaurants in the area until it was taken over. Walbottle village is a closely knit community with many locals and regulars. The Original Masons served food above and beyond that of a conventional pub, with a brilliant atmosphere and exceptional service. Having been recently taken over the new landlord has an utter disrespect for the place, having changed the name and treat the current staff in an appalling manor. Many of the elderly regulars who have frequented the place for many years have had new rules and regulations thrust upon them, having being made to feel like outcasts and second class citizens. Ridiculous new rules have been imposed such as dress code, restricted areas, and a sever change of menu. The new landlord has seemingly adopted a 'devil may care' attitude and believes he is still catering to the masses of Darras Hall and Ponteland, where his previous business failed. A landlord with such a vast ignorance for people’s traditions and one who can so easily dismiss years of loyalty and tradition is not somewhere that I would choose to be part of. Granted, it may well be ‘posh grub’ but it is within a sphere of influence sandwiched between three working class areas, where decent hard-working people want to enjoy the occasional evening out and a good quality meal at a reasonable cost. Diving in like a jackhammer and isolating elderly people and regulars with an utter disregard and disrespect for people is not how you introduce and conduct yourself in a community that you are new too. Make sure you have unlimited dosh and if you’re a born and bred Geordie that actually sounds like a Geordie, Then I really would not bother!
