THIS pub/hotel has had more make-overs than Joan Collins.

The decor is classy (a little bit like Habitat with beer on tap), the canned music is not bad, the food is spot on, you can even park there, the pub's got everything... except atmosphere.

When I arrived the barstaff were polishing the spotlessly clean ash-trays. This wasn't attention to detail this was him being bored stiff.

The upside of that was that I was greeted like a long lost friend. The downside... what am I doing in an empty pub, making small talk with the barman and drinking on my own?

As the pub was empty I took the opportunity of trying out the oh-so-trendy furniture. I especially enjoyed the leatherette settees great to sink in and slip off. Take my word, in a pub like this, you have to make your own entertainment.

The Southern Cross used to have a reputation for being a bit of a student pub, what with West Herts' Cassio campus just along the road. Somehow, I can't see the baggy flares, matted hair, chewed back finger nails and satchels feeling too at home here now.

The barman assured me the pub does liven up later on, but I'm not going back to find out, not unless I have to organise a wake.

Having said that, they do a very nice line in condoms, I'm told.

FA