THERE’S a very cheerful, convivial place down on Stroud’s Bath Road and it’s called The Clothiers Arms.

A good selection of beers and beverages, friendly, efficient managers and decent meals have no doubt helped to attract a very healthy number of punters with whom I intermingled one balmy evening after work last week.

Although The Clothier also offers seven B&B rooms, I have no doubt that many at its bar that night were faithful locals enticed in by what its website describes as “down-to-earth, family-friendly” ambience.

A small car park is offered to patrons, but at around 6pm, it was near enough full.

It must cause issue as customers are duly required to enter their car registrations into the monitor on the bar.

As I approached the bar I was greeted by a very affable barman and his younger sidekick – the latter who showed me the various menus which offered a good array of typical pub fare.

Prices were also very reasonable for the choice on offer.

It was steak night with a 6oz rump or 12oz gammon on offer with onion rings, mushrooms and a peppercorn sauce for £12.95 and a pint.

Instead, the tuna steak with salsa and kale attracted my eye and I plumped down at table in the restaurant with my drink of Cornwall apple juice.

The bar had a great friendly, atmosphere – with several couples playing pool in the side rooms, but there didn’t seem to be a spare table.

The manager greeted me warmly into the restaurant.

It didn’t have the atmosphere of the bar and was a little tired in some of its decor, but the manager was efficient and her staff courteous.

I brought the average age down somewhat of the diners in the restaurant that but that was no problem.

The tuna steak (£10.95) was served beautifully - deserving of a picture – and while I really enjoyed it, it was a little overcooked for me.

However, I was limited with time and I appreciated that it was served promptly.

The accompanying kale worked well, as did the salsa.

The gluten-free option for dessert was a delicious-sounding chocolate and coconut tart (£5.25), but I instead opted for three scoops of Winstone’s ice-cream which was a little pricey (also £5.25) but I guess that must be the going rate for this wonderful, local, artisan dessert.

As I have bemoaned on this page before, I am an enthusiastic, messy eater and the small clay dish in which the scoops were served made for great presentation but I would have liked it atop a plate.

In all, a great place to meet friends and I will return.

SCORES

Atmosphere 9

Decor 7

Staff 8.5

Food 8

Prices 9

lOverall 8.5