To praise Wetherspoons

[itsnotmeitsu]

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.

There are plenty of places around me where you can get a curry for under a tenner and it's amazing quality.

I don't mind a curry ready meal but I wouldn't call it a decent meal.

Try going on your own on a Sunday afternoon. I do for 2 hours whilst I wait for DC to finish his sports practice. People are friendly. Just pop in for 20 mins for a coffee and see how you feel.

@TheHawkisHowling I make my own curry and normally only buy curry out in independent decent Bangladeshi places. But I was pleasantly surprised by the butternut squash weatherspoons curry. I would not go out for a meal and have it, but if we are away in the UK it makes a cheap and reasonable meal out if somewhere without a local bangladeshi population.
And I have eaten takeaways in places that are mainly a white population where everyone swears the local Indian is brilliant. It never has been.

We love Spoons ! Ours is a five minute walk away, so handy . We’ve just come back from scoffing a lovely madras. I love the fact that they renovate old buildings, you always know what to expect, and for the two of us, it’s just as cheap as eating at home.

I would like them for all those reasons too if I hadn't worked for them.

The busier we were of an evening the less of the little jobs we could get done like sorting cutlery and the more we had to clear up so the longer it took at the end of the shift, BUT, we wouldn't be paid after an hour. They said it was because it was staff's fault if they hadn't done the jobs as they went along. So to simplify, the more money they made and the harder the staff worked, the less they were paid.

Any complaints and you were fired or had your shifts greatly reduced.

On themed evenings we were expected to pay or our own costumes.

If we kept any tips given to us by customers we were fired for 'theft'....

To name a few perks of the job!

We're a minority white population here so I'm probably spoiled on the currys. I've had them in other areas and they have been a bit poor. I probably wouldn't mind a Wetherspoons in comparison, tbf.

😀😀😀Funniest post this week.

@TheHawkisHowling You will be spoiled for choice then.

@Sunsnet my friend works in one and says she is treated well so maybe down to the manager? But she says you don't get tips in weatherspoons anyway as those going are going for a cheap meal.

Am not a snob. The local Wetherspoons is the favourite haunt of the town winos and I don't think has ever been properly cleaned.

Right that's it I've just told DP we are off for curry club tomorrow night!

There’s a lot of snobbery around Wetherspoons. I haven’t been to many, but in an unfamiliar area at least you know what you’ll be getting - a bit like Premier Inns, IMO.
Though I have to say although I don’t often do it, I have no problem with going into any ordinary pub on my own. V useful if I need a wee anyway and fancy a coffee or a G&T, too.

Negativity stems from its owner being a bit of a gobshite who was aggressively pro Brexit (his right, obviously) and who treats his staff and suppliers poorly, allegedly. Many class Spoons as a McDonalds type chain pub who have too big of a monopoly on the high street and whose cheap prices put small independents out of business.

I'm not a fan of either him or the pubs, if I'm honest, but then I don't enjoy pub food generally so it's not for me.

I agree, our local Wetherspoons is brilliant.It's an old building too, it used to be the swimming baths, long and narrow, with a balcony above where the changing rooms used to be.
Can't fault it.

I love 'spoons.
It's especially great when I can't be bothered to microwave my own food 😆
I love the coffees and breakfasts. I like the price even more. I saw an elderly man and woman having a date and they were so cute. They must have only recently met.

Saddest thing I saw in a spoons up North was a couple leave their table and their plates had left overs on. A homeless woman snuck in, ate the dregs and then left quietly.

How long ago was that?

I've worked for them for six years and staff have been allowed to keep tips for ages.

You get paid until you clock out and get an extra pound an hour if you arr still there after midnight.

I've never even heard of any pubs having theme nights or staff having to dress up!

Join the group Wetherspoons the Game!
It's on Facebook 😄

Very true about nursery working conditions!

YANBU. Wetherspoons is fantastic and I find it's a great snob filter: folk who turn their nose up at it are generally horrible, awful, tedious people who I could never get on with.

Totally agree, you know what you are getting, like a PP said up thread, just like Premier inn. Yes the food is poppity ping but they do not pretend otherwise and many are lovely and safe spaces and good value which meets a need for loads of people when out and about. My city has loads of independents but like BnBs, many are overpriced and full of self-importance. Being independent does not mean better quality, despite all the wank descriptions on the menu, most food is disappointing at 2-3 times the price. Rather pay £10.

I love 'spoons. Being a vegan they've ALWAYS had multiple menu options, long before it 'took off'. They're cheap and cheerful-yes the food isn't what you'd get in a Michelin starred restaurant but it isn't bad! It's good value for money! I'd rather spend £9 in spoons than spend £25 in a restaurant where I don't know what I'll end up with-which is why whenever I am away in a strange town I head for the nearest 'spoons.
I was away in London recently and headed for one, I like to go where I am familiar.
Similarly, away with family in summer, 6 of us all very different likes and dislikes-'spoons caters for all.
I love their white wines too-I have been to far more expensive places where I couldn't say that. Their staff are always great too.

Never understood the hate on 'spoons. They're not a 'classy' place but they're not trying to be!

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=331944234263395

I'm with this guy 😂(although I'd never tell my 'bird' I'd be home late because she'd be there with me)!

Tim Martin, if you're boycotting it because of him, only owns 23% doesn't he? People only hate him (IMO) because he has a presence, he's vocal about his politics. Do you know the politics of every pub/supermarket/bar/cafe etc etc you visit? I doubt it.

@Throwhandsupintheair wasn't that debunked completely? And the MP involved made to apologise? I read that in a magazine some time ago. It was said to be a complete lie.

I love spoons. Cheap as chips and a lot of the meals include a drink. In the current climate, it a yes from me x

My NCT group use to meet at spoons. It’s a huge venue. Centre of town. Loads of high chairs. Didn’t matter if you wanted lunch/coffee. Didn’t matter if people came and went. Good value when we were all on mat leave.

I agree good idea going there on Sunday morning or afternoon too,

if you want to go at quieter more chilled time or if you are single socially awkward about going to a pub restaurant on your own.