I was in The Blue Bell about 6 months ago and I have to say the place has gone downhill. Still the same great history but under new management. The 'new' landlord has no sense of the history of the place and I fear won't give a second thought to redecorating. When we were last in there it had the atmosphere of a coal miners working mans club. The only people in there were the Landlord/Mrs Landlord and 3-4 of there 'mates'. They didn't even interrupt their pint to serve you.
So much for the days of a free lift home after the lock-in.
I hope things have improved.