HAVING read Jane Cusworth s letter A short night out (November 22), we decided to let you know of our experience at this public house, which appears to cater only for a select few these days. Like Jane, over the years we had quite often used the Three H

HAVING read Jane Cusworth's letter "A short night out" (November 22), we decided to let you know of our experience at this public house, which appears to cater only for a select few these days.

Like Jane, over the years we had quite often used the Three Horseshoes pub in Wistow. It used to be a very good village pub but unfortunately with a change in ownership this appears to have changed.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Three Horseshoes, it is without a doubt a very pretty typical-looking English country pub, complete with thatched roof. Therefore, when our friends from America came to stay, we decided to take them there for a meal one midweek evening. On entering the pub at 7.30pm we were pleased to see that there were only two people having a meal and all of the other tables in the restaurant area were empty. We asked the bar manager if it was possible for the four of us to have a meal and she informed us the restaurant was fully booked for the night.

We were surprised, but accepted it. We stayed for another hour so our friends could continue to enjoy a drink or two in a typical English country pub, which they had been so looking forward to visiting. In that time we did not see anyone come into the restaurant for a meal.

We left the pub at just after 8.30pm and in the car park met our neighbours with their children, who were hoping to have a meal at the pub even though they had not made a booking. We did not tell them of our disappointment at being told the restaurant was fully booked and we went to the Crown in Broughton instead, where we had a superb meal and were warmly welcomed.

The following day our neighbours told us that they had had a meal at the Three Horseshoes after we had left, but went home early as the pub was empty most of the evening except for the bar manager and her family.

Like Jane Cusworth, we no longer go to this pub even though it is our local. Perhaps the blasé attitude bar staff have towards their customers is what is causing the decline in some of our local pubs. So, landlords, please don't complain when takings are down. There are plenty of customers out there. You just need to make them all more welcome.

MURIEL HICKSON

High Street

Wistow