Executive Summary
Porter's Bar presents as a modest local establishment with a focus on entertainment, particularly karaoke, attracting a mature, working-class clientele. While it offers a decent atmosphere in its main bar area, the overall impression is one of wear and underutilization in other spaces. There's significant room for improvement in branding, the condition of ancillary rooms, and general maintenance, particularly in the toilets. Its location on a busy road with nearby amenities offers some potential for increased footfall.
Key Findings
Exterior Appearance & Initial Impression
The exterior of Porter's Bar appears a bit worn and could benefit from some revitalisation, such as adding flowers to enhance its curb appeal.
Interior Layout & Condition
The bar features multiple rooms. The room to the left was unused with the lights on, and notably, it doesn't look like a bar, suggesting a lack of clear purpose or inviting setup. The main room to the right serves as the primary bar area and hosted karaoke on the assessed night. The back room and the aforementioned side room both suffered from poor lighting ("dry lights," "lighting wasn't right"). Generally, the interior, especially the back room, looked a bit worn.
Atmosphere & Clientele
During the assessment, the main bar had a decent enough atmosphere and a friendly enough crowd, primarily comprising "50 plus" working-class individuals. Customer service was "alright."
Branding & Marketing
There was a noticeable lack of effective branding or point-of-sale (POS) materials. While a chalkboard mentioned karaoke, there was "not much in the way to point the sail," indicating a missed opportunity for promotion. The bar could be "branded a lot better."
Facilities & Amenities
Porter's Bar has an EPOS system for transactions. It stocks standard brands of drinks, with prices averaging £3.70 a pint. A TV was present but "turned off." The toilets were notably worn, with broken and missing tiles.
Location
The bar is situated on a quite busy road, with a Morrisons supermarket and other shops nearby, suggesting good potential for local foot traffic.
Overall Impression
Porter's Bar is a functional local pub with a clear niche in karaoke and a friendly, mature crowd. However, it's held back by its general state of wear and tear, particularly in the ancillary rooms and toilets. A significant investment in refurbishment, improved lighting, better branding, and clearer utilization of its various spaces could transform Porter's Bar into a much more appealing and profitable establishment, leveraging its busy road location.