Wetherspoons

[fowler9]

The Spoons Breakfast was always nice but leaves a nasty after taste over recent years. Thankfully it drove me and the lads to find better places when required.

 

[Busaholic]

I like Tim Martin despite his ridiculous views on Brexit, which are more the ravings of a 'true believer' than anything genuinely thought through, I feel. I even look somewhat like him and share a name, though I'm a bit older.

It may be a generalisation, but in the West Country the pubs tend to be of the rougher kind without all those alluring features you can read about in the mag amongst all the Brexit propaganda. I guess it's down to the clientele. My local one is populated by people who spend all day in there, is extremely gloomy with low ceilings and even lower lighting and I've seen brown envelopes and packages changing hands in the gloaming. I never go in there in the evenings, but if I want a half of Ruddle's for less than a quid I'll go in, if there's no great bar queue.

 

[yorksrob]

Agreed there. I've had many meals in 'spoons (mostly breakfast before they went and removed most things on the menu) and the baked beans there really aren't pleasant. The rest of the meal is usually rather good though and they always seem open to substitutions in their large breakfast.

I tend to try and find an alternative now.

Allowing substitutions is an important point though. As far as I'm concerned, a breakfast place that doesn't do reasonable substitutions will have to substitute me with another customer I'm afraid.

 

[plymothian]

They're McPubs, you know what you're going to get. You can guarantee the food and drink will be the same no matter where you are and they are are also one of the few pubs that serve food until 11pm.

 

[fishquinn]

I tend to try and find an alternative now.

Allowing substitutions is an important point though. As far as I'm concerned, a breakfast place that doesn't do reasonable substitutions will have to substitute me with another customer I'm afraid.

I've done just that for the one I used to frequent in Birmingham. I frequently went for pancakes and scrambled egg on toast but both of those were removed when the menu changed so I decided that it wasn't worth it anymore.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I tend to try and find an alternative now.

Allowing substitutions is an important point though. As far as I'm concerned, a breakfast place that doesn't do reasonable substitutions will have to substitute me with another customer I'm afraid.

I'd far rather they offered "create your own" at a price per item like Morrisons do. They used to (well, they offered individual items to add, some staff were happy to order just add-on items on a plate and some weren't) but dropped it, presumably because it makes stock control easier.

What they do need to do, though, is pack in serving the awful McCain Home Fries (mashed potato in batter) as so-called chips. To make chips, you slice potatoes and deep-fry them (buy pre-sliced ones if you must). All other options are grossly inferior.

 

[yorksrob]

I'd far rather they offered "create your own" at a price per item like Morrisons do. They used to (well, they offered individual items to add, some staff were happy to order just add-on items on a plate and some weren't) but dropped it, presumably because it makes stock control easier.

What they do need to do, though, is pack in serving the awful McCain Home Fries as so-called chips. To make chips, you slice potatoes and deep-fry them. All other options are grossly inferior.

The 'choose your own items' approach works.

However, I just need to know that if a fixed breakfast includes the dreaded mushrooms I can get them replaced with some extra beans for example.

And don't even think about just taking the mushrooms off and thinking I won't notice the paucity of beans. I will.

 

[jon0844]

Tim Martin seemed okay until Brexit, where he now comes over as totally unwilling to hear any opposing views - to the point that he was barring people who turned up to his Brexit 'roadshow' and clearly only wanted to preach to the converted, like some giant echo chamber with beer.

However, while people have suggested boycotting the pubs, I still use them because it benefits me to do so. Plus his ranting seems to actually help remainers anyway!

 

[Mag_seven]

I'd far rather they offered "create your own" at a price per item like Morrisons do. They used to (well, they offered individual items to add, some staff were happy to order just add-on items on a plate and some weren't) but dropped it, presumably because it makes stock control easier.

However, I just need to know that if a fixed breakfast includes the dreaded mushrooms I can get them replaced with some extra beans for example.

I generally have no difficulty in substituting/swapping items in Spoons e.g. substituting the beans and tomato in the basic breakfast for extra egg and toast.

 

[Groningen]

So nice of Tim Martin (brexiteer) to put his pro brexit stance/views in the Wehterspoons News to all people of the UK. Must not imagion if a Nexit happens in NL that Albert Heijn or other supermarketchain does something like that.

 

[jon0844]

So nice of Tim Martin (brexiteer) to put his pro brexit stance/views in the Wehterspoons News to all people of the UK. Must not imagion if a Nexit happens in NL that Albert Heijn or other supermarketchain does something like that.

I was quite surprised he sent that out to everyone. What did that cost, in terms of print costs AND distribution? And for what? It's not as if anyone will read it (any more than I suspect anyone does when seeing one in the pub).

 

[Tracked]

This may be out of date, I've only been in them twice since September (Standing Order, Edinburgh, and The Portland, Chesterfield);

Food: I've found them alright, nothing spectacular but perfectly eatable and at a decent price

Atmosphere: Or lack of it, the one good thing about one of my locals was that I could go in late on a Sunday evening with a book and have a few pints and a read without being disturbed too much, other than that they're full of the sort of drunks you don't want to meet

Service: A bit rubbish, seem to always spend a lot of time waiting, even on an empty Sunday night.

Ale: The main problem, I find it varies from pub to pub, have always found the Standing Order (or, Standing Room Only, as I call it) in Edinburgh to be quite good, but in ones nearer to me that I occasionally visit, the quality (Portland, Chesterfield) or choice (Gatehouse, Doncaster) seem to be lacking.

 

[Basher]

I was in two yesterday, both very well decorated, service good, nothing wrong with the food. Had a stake for £8.40 it was very good, I'v paid a lot more in other places and had less, and not as good. I'v been in around 80 + Wetherspoons from Penzance to Glasgow.
Only ever been disappointed twice, Grimsby and Dumfries.
When we are on a rail outing we always look for the nearest Wetherspoons.

 

[Basher]

I was quite surprised he sent that out to everyone. What did that cost, in terms of print costs AND distribution? And for what? It's not as if anyone will read it (any more than I suspect anyone does when seeing one in the pub).

Before 23 June Tim did have both Stay and Leave beer on, not sure if the beer was different from each other.

 

[furnessvale]

Before 23 June Tim did have both Stay and Leave beer on, not sure if the beer was different from each other.

Probably bitter and mild but the actual taste was formed in the mind of the drinker.

 

[ainsworth74]

I'm going to attempt a preemptive strike but just to remind that we have a thread for wider Brexit issues so lets try and keep most of the Brexit conversation to that thread. I think it's probably reasonable to discuss the views of Mr Martin on this thread as long as we don't veer off into the wider discussion.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I agree on this. I would equally object to Remain campaigning on this basis; it's exploiting impressionable people by only giving half the facts (if that).

As would I. It is not the place for it.

 

[YorkshireBear]

WOW - You have had a sheltered upbringing if you think spoonies is scary!

Having had a Knife pulled out on me in the bathroom by someone i had never met for daring to want to wash my hands after a pee, i'd say my upbringing has not been that sheltered to find that scary?

 

[DarloRich]

Having had a Knife pulled out on me in the bathroom by someone i had never met for daring to want to wash my hands after a pee, i'd say my upbringing has not been that sheltered to find that scary?

in a Weatherspoons or something that happened to you once in a pub?

I have drunk in some very rough pubs but no one has ever pulled a knife on me. A gun ( and i think it was a replica) but not a knife! It was all a misunderstanding and case of mistaken identity. I don't think I look like a policeman. He thought I did. The man I was looking for luckily was able to vouch for me!

 

[DarloRich]

I previously referred to my local spoons as nice. Still, someone got stabbed in there on NYE.

There are certainly some Wetherspoons that attract an interesting crowd. When you add alcohol into the mix, anything can happen. Personally, I've never felt scared in a Spoons, but some definitely feel more edgy than others. If you aren't used to drinking in dodgy establishments, I can understand that it could feel intimidating.

Sadly knife crime is on the increase. Too many silly kids are carrying knifes because they think it earns them respect or power. It is stupid.

I honestly have never felt intimidated in Spoons. I must be well used to dodgy pubs!

I disagree. They kill pubs that are crap. The good ones survive and evolve, even if they are more expensive.

It's amazing that I can still walk into pubs that only offer the likes of Carling, Fosters, John Smiths, Guiness and their premium offering is Stella. This will be followed by me immediately walking back out. That wasn't a great business model 15 years ago. Taste evolves, pubs need to too.

There are also still pubs that are frankly dirty too.

There are many reasons why pubs fail, but a lot of them are controllable.

I suspect the tie is the problem not the pub. Many are forced to buy beer at fairly extortionate prices from the owning brewery and then pay a steep rent on top. That means you have to focus on the volume drinkers and that means scutters knocking back Fosters all day long.

And spoons does kill decent pubs. My mates was one. A decent tied house with a high rent and very high wholesale prices finished off by spoons being bale to offer much cheaper pints.

Doombar? I think not. I'm not always taken with the ale offerings in 'spoons. I will go for ones I like. As @Iskra said, I wish they would do Taylor's Landlord.

Other than that, they're a McPub. Mass market and efficient. You know what you're getting when you go in.

Timothy Taylors mustn't offer a suitable volume discount for Spoons. I would love to know more about their buying practices and prices. I drink ale so like a choice and you often get some very good, proper, ales on in a spoons. I got Double Maxim in the Old Spoons in MK once. Double. Maxim!

 

[YorkshireBear]

in a Weatherspoons or something that happened to you once in a pub?

I have drunk in some very rough pubs but no one has ever pulled a knife on me. A gun ( and i think it was a replica) but not a knife! It was all a misunderstanding and case of mistaken identity. I don't think I look like a policeman. He thought I did. The man I was looking for luckily was able to vouch for me!

Piccadilly Gardens Spoons actually.

 

[Iskra]

Piccadilly Gardens Spoons actually.

Entirely believable. Definitely one of the seedier ones I've visited.

 

[gazthomas]

I can think of a few reasons just off the top of my head:

They're open all day.
They serve alcohol from early in the day.
They do a roaring trade in breakfasts and unlimited coffee up to midday.
They provide a wide ranging food menu with clearly advertised calorie and allergen information.
They provide a fairly homogenised food and drinks offer that means that you pretty much know what you're getting no matter what town you're in.
They undertake tasteful and sympathetic refurbishments of historic buildings that would otherwise probably remain derelict.
There's a wider range of drinks (alcoholic and otherwise) than you're likely to find in many licensed premises.
Their pubs are accommodating, unchallenging and inoffensive to a wide range of clientele.
Food and drinks prices are generally cheap and they offer a range of deals.
They have a strong, easily recognisable brand.

I agree with this. Sometimes tables could be cleaner or queues at the bar shorter but apart from that they're pretty good and consistent.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Having had a Knife pulled out on me in the bathroom by someone i had never met for daring to want to wash my hands after a pee, i'd say my upbringing has not been that sheltered to find that scary?

I've been in some rough 'Spoons and have never come across anything quite as bizarre (and scary) as that!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I agree with this. Sometimes tables could be cleaner or queues at the bar shorter but apart from that they're pretty good and consistent.

Yeah, the MK Xscape one is always really slow to serve you, but at least now you can take a seat and order on the app while they faff about.

 

[IanD]

I agree with this. Sometimes tables could be cleaner or queues at the bar shorter but apart from that they're pretty good and consistent.

Yes, I've so far visited about 200 and my two main gripes are slowness at cleaning tables and queuing. The latter has improved a bit since they stopped making coffees and teas at the bar and installed self-service machines instead. However, turn up at 11:45 and you'll hit the last-orders-for-breakfast queue, why they don't do an all day breakfast is a mystery.

 

[Cowley]

I've just spshpent a very pheasant evnink in my locol Weathreforks.
£2.15 a pint. Looks!


Pretty mush the only plaice in Exeter we can walk two and stagger bcak form with our extended flamily and have a meal without hvaving to take a mortsgage, moregaitch, loan out for...
We can walk there too. And stagger back (fink I might have said that hoc, your mybest fren Iloves you etc).
Wears the barfroom..?

 

[Mag_seven]

why they don't do an all day breakfast is a mystery

I thought they did?

 

[IanD]

Yeah, the MK Xscape one is always really slow to serve you, but at least now you can take a seat and order on the app while they faff about.

That's the only 'Spoons I've actually seen a fight break out. Been to rough places all over the country but experienced that closest to home, I don't go in there often so maybe just got unlucky.

 

[IanD]

I thought they did?

I think it's all day brunch but what I meant was why don't they do the breakfast menu all day. Probably too much work for the kitchen staff. So not so much of a mystery.