But behind the mock Tudor facade, the Carlton Road pub was exactly what you would expect to find, which is little more than you could hope for from a Brewers Fayre pub and restaurant.

Brewers Fayre ‘serving Britain’s favourite pub food’, the menu claims. And it did.

It was all there – burger and chips, fish and chips, ham egg and chips, scampi (and chips), everything you’d expect, no more, no less.

From the ugly carpet to the matching wooden furnishings, it was all there.

I could have been walking into any chain pub in the UK.

And as I queued patiently at the bar scanning the menu, I decided to opt for a credit crunch lunch, and have a meal under The Ashley’s ‘two meals for £9’ deal (available Monday to Friday 12pm to 6.30pm).

For under a fiver there was a wide selection of main courses, and it seemed I could not go far wrong.

But for diners after a lighter bite, then sandwiches and jacket potatoes are also available, plus all the usual side options.

The friendly and efficient barmaid quickly took down my order, and sent me on my way to find a table and wait.

And because The Ashley is as large on the inside as it is on the outside, finding seating was not a problem.

There were plenty of tables and plenty of room, and despite the pub’s size, the layout and table arrangement still resulted in a comfy, cosy atmosphere.

Also on the plus side, food is served all day, which was just as well because I arrived around the 2pm mark, and many pubs might have turned me away.

Stomach rumbling and ready to roll, I was delighted when the waitress promptly arrived and plonked down my bangers and mash, which I washed down with lemonade.

Three ‘award winning’ sausages were heaped upon a bed of mash in a windmill formation not dissimilar to Worksop’s new arrival – B&Q’s wind turbine.

Hot gravy and a scoop of hot peas also provided the perfect accompaniment.

I have to say, I couldn’t have asked for more for my money, and was thoroughly satisfied with lunch.

The only thing the meal lacked was ketchup, which appeared quick as a flash once it was requested.

I was too full to manage the whole lot, which gave me a real sense of value for money.

My dining companions also took advantage of the ‘two for £9’ deal, and happily scoffed down their grub, which ranged from smothered chicken, to a ploughman’s lunch.

Families and groups looking for simple ‘does what it says on the can’ pub grub could do a lot worse than this Worksop eatery.

Or if you like your food to resemble eco-friendly technology, pop along and sample the sausage and mash.

by Debbie Lockett

Star rating HHH