With the massive rise of too-fancy-for-their-own-good gastropubs and back-to-basics micropubs, is the existence of a middle of the road boozer with cheap food and footy on the telly more or less important?

All but next to Barnehurst Station, on paper at least the Red Barn is doing all it can to be an appealing space for an evening.

It hosts live music regularly as well as other events like psychics with scary (but not in the right way) posters, there’s a pool table and more screens than I cared to count.

If the mass of TVs is not enough, there’s a projector for the big games. If they’re all switched on, there’s a strong chance the place would be just a few stubby pens away from looking more like a bookies’ than a pub.

The menu covers all the bases – with pub classics, burgers, veggie options, low-calorie choices and two meals for £7.95.

It’s just the feel of the place is a bit tacky, a bit sub-Wetherspoons of yesteryear, with a stale smell and tired furniture.

And at least a ‘Spoons there’s no awful pop music blaring.

The only bits of decor I liked were brick fireplace and an old grandfather clock, both of which were virtually swamped among the mass of posters and flatscreens.

The three ales on tap – Doombar, Adnams Ghost Ship and London Pride – are decidedly middle of the road and it’s the kind of place you’d be more at home sipping mass-produced lager.

Carling’s £2.95, which you can’t really argue with.

This pub was brought to PubSpy’s attention by a reader, I guess because they thought I would find it unwelcoming.

Not a bit of it. While I didn’t really feel at home at the Red Barn, the service was friendly and the few people around during a lunch hour seemed like nice folk – there was even a toddler eating dinner with his parents who shouted a loud ‘hello’ at nearly everyone who walked in.

The Red Barn, Barnehurst Road, Barnehurst

How it rated:

Decor ** Needs some love

Atmosphere ** middle of the road

Staff **** Friendly enough

Drink ** Uninspiring

Price **** Pretty reasonable