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I would love to think that the pub could be fitted into the overall development concept and I am sure that is Trevor Harris's genuine intention - but I very much fear that this will merely turn out to have been a rather astute piece of property speculation on his part. Paul Linford.

It was with great sadness that I happened to look across at The Royal Standard on Derwent Street and saw that it was boarded up, my first thought was I hope they are not going to knock it down. Being a bit short of money with four young children to look after my nieghbour told me that the landlady at the time was looking for someone to help her for a few hours a week so with much apprehension I went to see her. I had never served behind a bar before and dident know what to expect but as soon as I met her I felt I would be very happy working for her and I was, I stayed with her untill the day she retired from the trade, her name was Jan I can't remember her surname at the moment but she was a much loved and respected lady who has sadly since passed away. It was always a busy pub with a really friendly atmosphere and I became friends with a lot of regulars who used to meet there. I always remember one day in winter the pub was quite and I was looking out of the window at the [River Derwent] the banks were covered in snow and it was a scene I have never forgot it was so tranquil and I wondered how many other barmaids had stood here looking at that same scene before me in the years that had passed. I can't remember the exact date I worked there but know it was when a British Midland plane crashed at Kegworth as there were a few doctors and nurses in the pub at the time and they left their drinks and went straite back to work, and yes it was the time when dare I say it Topless Barmaids were working on a Tuesday night I used to wait until they arrived and then make a quick exit out of the door much to the amusement of the regulars. I was told that the ghost of a young boy who was run over outside the door that had been boarded up on the corner haunted the bar but fortunatly I never saw him. I really hope the powers that be don't knock down this piece of Derby's history with the right landlord I am sure it can be built up to the thriving buisness that it once was. They were very happy times and I would love to hear any comments from any of the regulars who remember them. Belinda Pell

The writer of the original piece replies: Thanks for those first-hand memories Belinda, which is great, just the sort of response we hope for from an article like this one. What will happen to The Standard we can only guess at.

Romance blossomed in Standard

My wife and I are very pleased that Trevor Harris is reopening the Standard. We first met in the pub over 40 years ago and recently celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary.

At the time the Standard was the place to be seen in, I have many intersting tales. When I was 18 my father owned a Mark 7 Jaguar. I would park it over the entrance. The landlord would then shout for the owner of the Jaguar, and I would stand up as the proud owner to attract the girls. It was rare for anyone to have a car in those days.

Posted by Councillor Kevin Miller.