Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To praise Wetherspoons

254 replies

itsnotmeitsu · 28/11/2023 22:00

And no, I've not been to one tonight. I've spent the day on my own, at home. But when I visit it's always the same one, which is in a lovely listed building. As a caveat, I only go there on a Sunday lunchtime, so can't account for what it's like on a Friday/Saturday night.

The pub chain seems to have a bad reputation, but from what I've seen it can be a place for those, who would otherwise feel very isolated, to find a bit of life and get outside of their home, whilst being able to afford the drink and food prices. I would feel comfortable to spend time in the couple of Wetherspoons I know of as a woman on my own, or an elderly person just wanting to be in a social atmosphere, reading a book and having a cheap drink, or topping up my endless cups of coffee or tea, and not be sitting at home feeling like I was the only person in the world.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Thread gallery
7
socks1107 · 05/12/2023 08:03

There are great. The deals are good value and you know it won't be Michelin star food but it is always good. The buildings are often really nice and I enjoy going to sit in one (went in two this weekend!)

Mummadeze · 05/12/2023 07:31

I have been to good and bad ones. Some of them are grotty in London, but some are very nice. They vary wildly in my experience. Agree that they are great value for money though and the food is quite tasty, surprisingly.

cerisepanther73 · 05/12/2023 07:25

Ah can't please everyone in this life, !

BadLad · 05/12/2023 05:10

My local Spoons is OK, but the last time I was in there nearly every unoccupied table still had plates or, at the very least, glasses left by previous customers. It's cheap but apart from that, there's not much to praise about it.

GrandTheftWalrus · 05/12/2023 03:20

BitOutOfPractice · 04/12/2023 22:24

I can name at least 4 that’ll be open here that’d I’d pass on the way to Wetherspoons. So you know, they’re not the only circus in town everywhere despite the OP’s attempts at giving them a rose tinted glow!

We used to have a few open for a few hours on Xmas day then at night for a ticket price with buffet, entertainment etc. But obviously covid stopped that and so far 3 pubs have never reopened. I live in a smallish town though.

Treaclesandwich · 04/12/2023 22:40

The only issue I would raise is the bacon - they really need to be crisping it up more.

Original poster
itsnotmeitsu · 04/12/2023 22:39

I most definately don't work for Wetherspoons, and never have. And I'm not keen on Tim Martin.

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 04/12/2023 22:24

I can name at least 4 that’ll be open here that’d I’d pass on the way to Wetherspoons. So you know, they’re not the only circus in town everywhere despite the OP’s attempts at giving them a rose tinted glow!

GrandTheftWalrus · 04/12/2023 20:43

BitOutOfPractice · 04/12/2023 18:38

Lots of pubs are open on Christmas Day! 🤷‍♀️

honestly, are you Wetherspoons PR? 👀

Actually in my town the only pub open on Xmas day is wetherspoons. There is a pub that's a "wee old man" pub that has pensioners going in alone every day and that's closed on Xmas day.

BitOutOfPractice · 04/12/2023 18:38

Lots of pubs are open on Christmas Day! 🤷‍♀️

honestly, are you Wetherspoons PR? 👀

Original poster
itsnotmeitsu · 04/12/2023 16:54

To add to my own thread, a lot of Wetherspoons will be open on Christmas Day, although not doing food. If someone's dreading being on their own, without seeing a soul, over Christmas; if there's a decent Wetherspoons nearby think of that as an option.

OP posts:
soemptyinside · 03/12/2023 23:50

I dislike the owner. But there isn’t anyone seriously competing with him, so a boycott would be cutting my nose off to spite my face.

Doingtheboxerbeat · 03/12/2023 16:58

ManAboutTown · 03/12/2023 08:12

It's an interesting point though - when does your dislike of someone deeply associated with a brand become intense enough to stop using their product

I think Branson is a self regarding bullshiitter but never stopped me using any Virgin product

Show quote history

Absolutely this. Even for things like buying ethically produced food won't wash for people who are so poor that they are visiting food banks - being ethical is a privilege in extreme cases.

ManAboutTown · 03/12/2023 08:12

Doingtheboxerbeat · 02/12/2023 23:38

I said on the first page that although I dislike him, I'm too poor to boycott things just because I disagree with their politics. Many people hate Amazon, Temu etc, but can't really afford to shop elsewhere.

Show quote history

It's an interesting point though - when does your dislike of someone deeply associated with a brand become intense enough to stop using their product

I think Branson is a self regarding bullshiitter but never stopped me using any Virgin product

Doingtheboxerbeat · 02/12/2023 23:38

ManAboutTown · 02/12/2023 10:17

Interesting how many people despise Tim Martin - don't patronise his establishments if you don't like him

I apply the same to Charlie Mullins because of his slavish devotion to the EU and Dale Vince for his green grifting

I said on the first page that although I dislike him, I'm too poor to boycott things just because I disagree with their politics. Many people hate Amazon, Temu etc, but can't really afford to shop elsewhere.

ManAboutTown · 02/12/2023 10:17

Interesting how many people despise Tim Martin - don't patronise his establishments if you don't like him

I apply the same to Charlie Mullins because of his slavish devotion to the EU and Dale Vince for his green grifting

Damnloginpopup · 01/12/2023 21:14

£2.06 for a g&t. No music blaring out. Extensive drinks choice. Night out for five, a round apiece, for under £15.

Fuck the other pubs.

Treaclesandwich · 01/12/2023 20:57

I completely agree. I find the Wetherspoons hate weird. They aren’t the best pubs in the world, but most of them are absolutely fine, they’re a consistent standard across the UK, and the prices are reasonable. And the food is what it is and perfectly fine for the price.

Would it be my first choice, no. Is it fine, yes.

scrivette · 01/12/2023 20:42

Went to one in a big city today and had bacon, Brie and cranberry burger from their Christmas Menu which I would recommend.

Tilllly · 01/12/2023 20:14

Brilliant

LadyEloise1 · 01/12/2023 09:14

There's a Weatherspoons in my city ( in a suburb) with the most fantastic view of Dublin Bay.

Tilllly · 01/12/2023 09:09

DaisyGatz · 01/12/2023 08:42

@Tilllly I went to a weatherspoons in York the other day and there was no stairs to the toilets. Yay Grin

I know that very one!

Nanalisa60 · 01/12/2023 08:52

We often go for breakfast, I love there eggs Benedict, really is delicious, dh loves the fry up . I also joke that if I passed away next week my dh would sell the house and buy a flat next to a spoons and eat there every day he thinks it the best value you can get and even though he is a good cook I know he would never bother cooking for himself. If I’m out and he has to fend for himself he just jumps on the bus down to spoonies for a curry and a couple of pints then jumps back on the bus home.

DaisyGatz · 01/12/2023 08:42

@Tilllly I went to a weatherspoons in York the other day and there was no stairs to the toilets. Yay Grin

Tilllly · 01/12/2023 08:34

YorkshirePuddingBelongs · 29/11/2023 21:01

My only criticism is the plates are fugly

My only criticism is the 3000 steps I have to use to get to the loo