I am not a regular at the Gloster Arms, but do drop in on occasion when out walking if it's on route.
I can only imagine that the other review must relate to a bad experience, as even though, yes it is a 'locals' pub (it's hidden away, what do you expect?) I have never had a 'silence' moment no-one has been that interested in me! I've found the staff (who've been the same to my recollection over the last few years) to be friendly and quite quick to serve, and the customers pretty much the same as any of this sort of pub. To put it another way, why would they want to talk to you, they don't know you. Make the effort yourself, but be careful what you wish for. One chap I struck up pleasantries with bent my ear for a good half hour enthusing about his particular brand of dog.
To sum up, friendly enough staff, cosy enough pub, decent enough beer (how much choice do you need??) but it is what it is, a traditional local pub in amongst a residential area. If you want generic, try a Pubco food pub. read more