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.

Love love love Weatherspoon
you get what you pay for excellent value for money

we have 2 one is as rough as shit but brilliant for people watching
other families and pensioners

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/nov/29/the-wetherspoons-game-why-thousands-of-people-are-buying-food-and-drink-for-strangers

Another advantage of Wetherspoons, because they're everywhere, is that if you're spending time in a place you don't know, and want somewhere easy to find where you can eat, you can put Wetherspoons and location into your phone and, bingo, there'll be one in the area. A couple of years we had five days of visiting different places - not a holiday, but avoiding being at home whilst all our doors and windows were being replaced. The Wetherspoons were variable (I wouldn't revisit the Huddersfield one), but we weren't tramping around trying to find somewhere to eat and drink.

Agree. Bloody love a spoons. My local one is a gorgeous listed building too with lovely floor to ceiling stained glass windows and a terrace area. Full of students in term time but big enough you can find a quiet corner. Food is cheap and you know what to expect. Good selection of beers and soft drinks. Nice staff, quick service.

Shame there's such hate and snobbery about it. The breakfast I had there last week cost £6.49 with unlimited tea and was much nicer than a more expensive pub round the corner.

Also, for what it's worth I have lots of pals who worked in spoons during uni and they had a great time, and always got treated well.

Unlike other pubs, tables get cleared super quickly and there's rarely a wait to order at the bar. They have a good system going.

@GrandTheftWalrus yes that's what I was talking about !

Thank you for this post. There is a Wetherspoons in my town which looks really dodgy and I have never been in there. I had absolutely no idea that there were nice ones which are family friendly or that they sold food. Am now going to try one.

It's a really good friendly group.

I love Spoons and I have been to many of them around the country.
Always looking out for a Spoons when we travel 👍🏼

My only criticism is the plates are fugly

I think Wetherspoons have done a good job at transforming some run down buildings and giving them a new lease of life. It’s also nice it’s so affordable.

However, I really dislike the owner Tim Martin who gave off huge xenophobe vibes with his Brexit rhetoric. I know I may be missing out but I refuse to give him my custom and money.

Haha, this is my only criticism too!

Literally said this on the first page - if you are traveling on a budget, an airport, train station or an expensive city (London etc) then they are a lifeline for this very reason.
And for those that have horrible local ones then you should probably know the area and choose somewhere else - or eat/ drink at home.

I think my annoyance over “it looks like a China plate but is made like a toddlers plate’ infuriates me 🤣

I too love ❤️ weatherspoons.

Tim Martin is a complete tosser but I still love Spoons. They're often in really lovely/interesting/historic buildings (my local one has closed now but was in a beautiful grade 2 listed building that used to be a Chapel). You know exactly what you're getting food-wise, it's cheap and cheerful and you're just as likely to come across pensioners drinking endless tea or families out for lunch as you are a group of lads with pints. It's familiar and friendly 😊

I agree and it's a real shame that they have had to close several or some whetherspoons,
especially by the sounds of it, your local whetherspoons sounds good amagine meeting up in a former church of all places to have a pint and hearty snack or meal .

I really like this weatherspoons appreciations mumsnet post too.

@itsnotmeitsu if you're in that sort of area the brighouse one is lovely. Cleckheaton is a bit dodgier but they usually get things right. Avoid the batley one.

It was back in the 90s. I'm glad it's not still happening but we all know that Tim Martin is more than happy to screw over his staff if he thinks he can get away with it and/or it will save him money. Remember the furlough debacle? And that was money he would be paid back!

Just watched this and thought of this thread...

Weatherspoons is a large chain. If you have one in a dodgy area the pub is more likely to be rough, in a nicer area and the pub is more likely to be lovely.
The staff though I have always found to be consistently good.

I love a Spoons.
When I worked a 4 day week and DD was at school I used to go in there and read a book and work my way through the breakfast menu 😅

You know what you are getting at any time of day, you feel safe, you can go there as a woman on your own, it's cheap, lots of variety and food is as good as any other fast food place. Good for kids. Good for veggies.

I've been in some lovely ones and some shit ones but there are some decent ones out there that are worth going to. It's great for people watching.

Tim Martin is not someone I like as a person but hey ho, you could say that about a lot of CEOs.

I love spoons!
Good value for money.
Love the fact that apart from guide dogs (which have to be on leashes) NO other dogs are allowed
Very family friendly
Pleasant atmosphere

Thought of this thread today, so went to a Spoons in a nearby town. Had the chicken jalfrezi. Was rather nice.

I quite like them but then again I rarely can afford to eat anywhere posh.