The first sign of this renovation hits you by way of the updated and much improved furnishings – what used to be a simple, functional pub area is now complete with luxury furnishings.

Punters stopping by for a spot of lunch will be greeted by not one style but several, as the main dining area sits under the Tudor beams of the ceiling, and adjacent to an informal ‘lounge’ area with shelves which look like they have been taken from the Ikea storeroom.

It is an area that looks extremely out of place, but one that is extremely comfortable to relax in.

The only real gripe I had about the area is the shuttered blinds on the windows, which should really have been left open to make the most of the bright sunlight on the day in question.

It is the menu that has truly been expanded upon, however, and punters can choose from a hefty choice of sandwiches and cooked meals, which can only be a good thing.

Incidentally, it is probably ill-advised to eat on the sofas in said lounge – they are comfy and make a good communal area, but you will have to crane forward for your food.

And it is the food where the Lion falls down - a burger and side of chips that would not be out of place at your local Wetherspoons will set you back a hefty £7.

You may wish to take advantage of the comfy seating of the lounge area, though, as my colleagues and I were waiting an excessively long time for the order of several sandwiches and said burger.

The burger is more understandable, but sandwiches? All Mr Chef need do is stick some meat and salad between two slices of bread.

When they did turn up, one of the orders was not even 100 per cent accurate either, as one colleague was landed with a brown breaded sandwich instead of white, which she good- naturedly accepted regardless.

Outside of the long wait, there's certainly no complaints over the service, although there was a slightly awkward moment when the waitress did turn up with a mixed-up order.

Furthermore, there were murmurings of dissatisfaction over the quality of the cheese and questions as to whether the ‘home cooked rustic chips’ were in fact, cooked from frozen.

It is nothing earth-shattering and probably would not have come up were it not for the price of the food.

Desserts, if you still have the patience to wait for a second round of orders, are not much more cheaply priced either.

And that is the real issue I found with the Lion - it is decent food (for the most part) but nothing special, which it needs to be for the prices it asks.

Still, if you have come in on your lunch break and aren't looking for much more than a bevvy and some banter, you'd be hard pressed to find more comfy surroundings in town.

by Tom Glover

star rating HHH