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Users' Views: In August 1998, A.P. Fisher wrote "The Haworth certainly does not merit the 4 star rating, Since the disasterous refurbishment the character of the place has been destroyed. Please amend your rating."

Users' Views: In October 1998, an anonymous visitor wrote "I have just read the comments regarding the 'Haworth' and would like to add my say. I don't live in Hull but visit every weekend and have frequented the Haworth a few times. I have to say it is one of the better pubs in Hull mixing both old world and modern drinking. I feel it is an ideal mix and would recommend it to most people young and old. "

Users' Views: In November 1998, Chris Thommo wrote "The Haworth pub has completely lost its character in favour of the fast turnover of students. (Nothing against them, was one myself not that long ago). Students and regulars used to coexist and drink the best pint of Bass in Hull. George took a pride in being miserable and now it's the regulars who are miserable and have left. I miss seeing everyone in the crypt and now see few faces I know. The furniture is awful, colour scheme alarming. Bye bye regulars I'll miss you."

Users' Views: In December 1998, Jo Fox wrote "Comments on The Haworth Arms are a bit harsh. Yes, I agree that the "re - vamp" drained the character a bit, and a lot of locals have been forced to move to other pubs. Personally I find it too busy at times, but none the less it goes without saying that I've had some excellent times in there over the four years I've been drinking in Hull. You can always get a decent pint in there and it's great for a mid afternoon pint."

No other pub on Hullpub has produced as many e-mails as the Haworth. The controversy started with a major refurbishment in (we think) late 1997.

Hullpub's original review of the Haworth, which predated the renovation (and most users' comments), noted how the atmosphere had been maintained over more than 20 years despite changes being made to accommodate modern as well as traditional tastes.

Well, we've finally been back; and on the whole, we wish we hadn't. We've tried on Hullpub to maintain the stance that it's not our place to judge pubs: that any surviving the fierce competition of the open market are doing something right.

But the Haworth's conversion has discarded the previously successful attempt to appeal to a range of tastes in an all-out effort to go for the younger market. And in the meantime the wonderful character of the pub has been lost; traditional old furnishings have been swapped for what look like Wimpey bar castoffs; and a friendly, welcoming feel has been swapped for dubious "graffiti" notices and a frankly threatening and unpleasant atmosphere.

It's only a shame that anyone doing something as flagrantly destructive as this to a previously splendid pub like the Haworth can't be prosecuted for criminal damage. OK: maybe it doesn't rank quite up there alongside the burning of the great library at Alexandria or the dissolution of the monasteries. But it's difficult to imagine a more wilful act of desecration of a once great focus of the local community.

For what they're worth, those are our views. What do you think? Users views so far are set out below and to the left.

Users' Views:In early 1998 an anonymous visitor wrote "I have lived away from Hull since 1980, but have spent each Christmas Eve in the Haworth. This was my 25th year. I am sad to say your assessment is way off the mark. It has been re-vamped and most of the regulars have left for Hockneys & the Gardeners. The Haworth has lost it. A sad day for all of us who have used this famous pub for years."

Users' Views: In April 1998, Ben Milne wrote "Your review of the Haworth Arms is far too charitable. I drank there, (and worked during one student holiday) for many years, but the recent renovations have completely destroyed its character. The joy of the old Haworth was that it was big enough to cater for every drinker - if you wanted a quiet night, you went to the snug; if you wanted to mix with students, you stayed in the main bar; if you wanted to go home with no teeth, the pool room was always a good bet (but that's another story). The pub attracted students, but it also attracted local characters (does anybody remember the plaque marking Ali's seat?) Now, the brewery has completely destroyed that mix by going for one market - students, and doing it in a particularly grating fashion, laying on stupid bar games and promotions. In short, it was a typically stupid attempt to maximise short term profits. Stay away, I say, until Bass realizes what a complete hash it's made of a once-great pub."

Users' Views: In April 1998, "Lozza the Rozza" wrote "The Haworth is just about the worst pub I have ever visited. It's a Scream decor, yellow flowers, and like Blackpool Funhouse inside."

Users' Views: In May 1998, Stuart Shields wrote "I cannot agree more with the negative comments made about the Haworth Arms. It was one of my favourite pubs in the 70's and has since then lost much of its charm. A shame really."

Users' Views: In October 1998, Sean Milne wrote: "I must agree with my cousin Ben Milne's comments. Ben's time there was in the late eighties, while my time was ten years earlier. These were the great days of the Haworth Arms, well they were for us, though I doubt my father who bent the elbow at the Arms (no feeble pun intended) a few times with Ben's dad in the fifties would agree, nor our grandfather before us all. Do you remember 'the pit' when there was a single pool table, that at 10 P.M. was covered so we could at least have something to lean on to disguise our ever increasing unsteadiness? The characters, the crack, trying to get served with boot polish under your nose in a feeble attempt to look the part, and the joy when you actually got away with it. On returning in early 1992, I remember walking through the Bev Road entrance, the two doors. I felt a rush of fond memories, only to be greeted by a soulless, heartless, sterile attempt to recreate what some sad interior designer thought a fun pub should look like. It was a 'fun pub' once, but not anymore."

Users' Views: In March 1999, Richard Burnett wrote: "I have spent the last two years drinking often in the Haworth, and to be honest I'm fed up of the students who frequent this place. They take our women and drink our beer, not letting older people like myself get a look in. The atmosphere is full of childish joviality and the music is too loud and contemporary. Often after leaving work I have considered a quiet pint in the Haworth - well let me tell you there is no such thing. I've had enough and soon will be drinking in the University which to my knowledge is the last place you will find a student. PS: I am not a miserable old sod."