Don Paddys Uppingham

Has this ever happened to you? Your favourite hole in the wall, full of personality and great vibes, cool people and great (if sometimes quirky) staff, has a makeover.

Don’t get me wrong if you’ve never been definitely worth a visit. Price point airs on the more expensive for local but the service is generally really good.

The outdoor people watching area is still amazing, a mix of clientele from local farmer types to posh public school parents picking up or returning their offspring. And the loos are better, nice and warm now when before they were freezing.

I am sure loads of people will love the salmon and grey corporate decor, and the “interior designed” everything matching feel, but the corporate chain feels for me has taken away every that was amazing and made this destination dining. The food’s OK and in the summer it’s a great spot but not sure I’ll be rushing over to Uppingham with alacrity anymore.

Maybe it’s just shiny and new at the moment and when that’s rubbed off a bit it won’t feel so barren and stiff inside.

I think maybe as businesses have suffered due to the economic slow down business owners are looking for ways to improve.

If people aren’t coming we think we need to change but sometimes other factors are at play.

Sometimes things are so amazing in the first place the people around it all the time, forget.

Before and after photos. Would appreciate your thoughts and comments on this. Makeover or no makeover?