Sorry this is a bit of a cheeky ask as its outside Wirral in Liverpool, but hopefully someone might be able to help.

The Old Post Office was a nice tradional pub with good food until recently , and very close to Central Station . Its now stopped serving food. Does anyone know of another venue equally near the station that has a 'proper pub' atmosphere , that does decent plain English food but doesnt cost the earth please?

So many places to choose from and there seem to be more every day!
Here's some, quite close to Central and other railway stations.

Had you thought of 'The Head of Steam' on Hanover St, just by School Lane, where The Old Post Office is, and just as close to Central Station?
Loads of draft, bottled and cask ales, lagers and ciders, plus a good food menu.

These are the people who had the pub of the same name by Lime St Station, under the former hotel and now JMU student accommodation.
That place is now 'The North Western', a Wetherspoons pub with food and adjacent to the Empire Theatre, so check your times.
Meanwhile, in the little street across the back of the Empire is 'Ma.Egertons', an old pub with food ranging from Scouse to Pizza.
Staying with that area, 'Theatreland' as some call it, there is 'The Courtyard' at the side of The Royal Court Theatre. It's only been opened just over a year, on the site of the former Penny Farthing pub. It's in a relaxed modern style with a bar and eating area downstairs and a restaurant upstairs. Good food on small plates, upstairs or down, and gets good reviews.

Not too far from Moorfields Station is 'The Vernon' on Dale St. corner of Vernon St. Traditional pub with real ales and pub grub menu.
Just down from Moorfields station and across from James St. you could try 'Ma Boyles'. Situated in Tower Gardens, behind Tower Buildings. and in between St.Nicholas Church yard (Chapel St.) and Water St. They have good food and have served it from this almost hidden bar and restaurant. They have been here for over 40 years and were previously next to the old Eye Hospital. Popular with the locals at lunchtime.
Not far from here, on Chapel St. you have 'The Pig and Whistle', another traditional pub and restaurant, but closes early evening.
A traditional pub, almost hidden off Fenwick St, down a passage next to the Corn Exchange building, is 'The Cornmarket'. The other end is in Moor St, so just behind James St Station. They have a restaurant with a varied menu and the usual selection of beers etc. They do have real ale (cask) but I tend to find that they don't sell enough to keep it fresh. It's worth a look in to see the extensive carved woodwork.

Moving back towards Central station and School Lane where we started is 'The Beehive' on Paradise St. adjacent to the NatWest bank on the corner of Church St and opposite Mcdonalds on the corner of Lord St. This traditional pub usually has a couple of real ales on, together with the usual range of keg beers and lagers, plus it has a restaurant area to the rear, serving traditional pub grub. It might be narrow, but it goes back quite a way. After the usual lunchtime rush, it starts to get busy again after four or so..

And yes, there are more, and yes I have been in all the above, over a period of time, of course.

Wow, many thanks Norton! That is extremely helpful . Much apprreciate the time you have taken to detail it for me. I will now try and encourage the two elderly people who used to meet up at the PO , to have a go at one of these instead.