The Red Lion is in a pretty building with a fantastic garden. It is kitted out with fine hardwood floors and modern furnishings. I have to believe that the reason it was so empty was the less than friendly staff.
Doom Bar, indeed
Mind you, I can see behaving as if the foreigner has just pooped on your nana’s grave but an old local couple that seemed fairly sweet were treated just as rudely then proceeded to drink up quickly and to fuck off…a result, apparently, for the bartender who could then slink back off to the back (internet porn addiction? southeast asian ladyboy slaves? who knows?).
The Endless British Pub Crawl 
A reader from Trowbridge, using Orange as their service provider, says: “Yes, the Red Lion has been through some pretty awful staff since the good people left a couple of years ago, and consequently lost most of it’s regular customers (myself included). It used to be the pub to go to in this town. It’s now (summer 2012) under new mgt again and initial reports are very good. Considering how offensive your last posting was, perhaps you’d like to give it another go rather than condeming it (and putting others off) based on just one visit? You might also want to consider whether speculating as to what criminal activities others are up to is wise, if you expect to be treated with courtesy and respect yourself….” I only add that I have been back and they seem no worse than before, and there is new paint and a big menu. A historic building, too.