Successful Country Pubs #1: The Cock Inn Mugginton

Ah those winter nights are looming which mean for bloggers with day jobs you’ll be getting lots of photos like this…

Of course, there is no jealousy of the other PUB members who are now enjoying retirement whilst leisurely gallivanting around the nation, No, not me, I much prefer working all day…

However, moving back to reality and checking my stats page on the blog I noticed I’ve picked up a few Scandinavian readers recently so Halla, Hei and Hallo to the Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian branch of Life After Football.

I’ve not quite cracked the Danish market as yet but will be seeking out some Carlsberg strongholds in the Midlands (probably Northampton then) in order to win over their punters.

Nonetheless, a few more pictures of dark wintry nights might do the trick so here’s another one…

This trip to 287 – The Cock Inn DE6 4PJ in Mugginton came at the end of a very civilised stag party (no really) which had involved caving and canoeing in Whaley Bridge and Castleton  as the stag was the rarest of breeds and a designated driver.

However, that didn’t stop the rest of us partaking in a pint at the start and end of the evening and The Cock was booked for a meal as it is most definitely a dining led pub.

It was jam packed full in the dining area on a Friday evening at around 9.30pm but, it should be noted, the bar area was fairly empty.

I say this as one of our party used to drink here in the past when it was a much more bijoux affair and a proper old country boozer with a pool table and set up for drinkers.  It had to adapt to survive as it is off the beaten track and has had a massive restaurant extension which was full and this is the new section of Derbyshire’s great and good that it has attracted.

(pukka toilet hand wash/hand cream)

It’s owned by Berkeley Inns and it had been closed for years and in a state of disrepair before reopening in its new guise three years ago and it is now flourishing.

But the bar area, conversely, despite being revamped is virtually empty and almost regarded as a “waiting for a table to be free” kind of area.

However, the staff are all bright young things with smiley, positive attitudes and customer service is excellent.

The (Innis & Gunn) IPA was good and went down well with our group and an open pub is far better than a shut one, whatever it takes.

The food was good too and this is definitely a place I’d be bringing Mrs BB for a bite to eat but not necessarily somewhere I’d visit just for a pint.

The Cock Inn is thriving and this seems to be the accepted template for country pubs to survive in 2018 and beyond….