Wetherspoons

[Ken Moss]

Originally Posted by Barrie Yates

We will be having a look on Thursday or Friday. Hopefully it will be on a par with some of the good ones - it all depends on the management. If they maintain high standards it could be fine. After all they don't have much competition in the town centre.

I've never been to a badly run Wetherspoons, I have faith that it will be successful. The thing that some people fail to realise is that a good pub can work wonders for the surrounding pubs too as people are more inclined to make a night of it.

My fingers are crossed for everyone, it's been a while since I've been out round Accy but for the first time in ages I'm thinking about it seriously.

[Tealeaf]

I remember - three or four years ago - Accy Stanley were drawn against Watford FC, in I think, the Carling Cup. Accompanied by a lesbian ex-nun and a gay ex-footy referee who had once sent Mr Coleman out of the dug-out and into the stands, we left the metropolis for the big game.

Arriving at Watford, we proceeded to the ground and on the way noticed a Wetherspoons establishment which appeared to be occupied by a substancial number of ASFC supporters, so in need of some serious liquid refreshment, we entered the aforesaid premises.

There was a rack of six real ale pumps on the bar; I asked the serving wench for a pint of the one on the left (Fuller's london Pride, I recall):

'Not on', she replied

'OK', says I, 'A pint of Marstons Pedigree'

'Thats not on either'

'Adnams Broadside'

'Nope'

'Brains's SA?'

'No!'

'Youngs'

'Still settling'

'Bombardier'

'No'

'So', I said, 'Any real ales on tonight'

'No', she replied, 'they're all off'.

'OK then...gimme three bottles of Becks.'

I should add that Watford is the home of the corporate HQ of Wetherspoons PLC. The 'bar' - and that is a compliment - was an absolute disgrace. I have no intention of ever again visiting one of their outlets which as far as I am concerned are aimed at the sort of people who shop at ASDA - people who know not what they are buying but who are quite happy to join the crowd and pay silly money for tat.

[Gremlin]

I have heard some very good comments about Wetherspoons and a while ago when I was in Southport I decided to have my lunch in one.

I found the place on Lord Street and started to open the door but one side hit a childs push chair, or buggy as they are called. Three very young children, probably only one year old, were crawling about on the floor not far from the door, three women were sat at the bar having a good laugh and using foul language. I gave the place a miss.
I mentioned it to my mate when I got home and he has used them all over the Country and swears by them so I must have been unlucky that day. I passed the one in Accrington on Saturday and the prices in the window didn't look that cheap to me but I am used to supping in a Club where I admit it is usually cheaper.

[Ken Moss]

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

I remember - three or four years ago - Accy Stanley were drawn against Watford FC, in I think, the Carling Cup. Accompanied by a lesbian ex-nun and a gay ex-footy referee who had once sent Mr Coleman out of the dug-out and into the stands, we left the metropolis for the big game.

Arriving at Watford, we proceeded to the ground and on the way noticed a Wetherspoons establishment which appeared to be occupied by a substancial number of ASFC supporters, so in need of some serious liquid refreshment, we entered the aforesaid premises.

There was a rack of six real ale pumps on the bar; I asked the serving wench for a pint of the one on the left (Fuller's london Pride, I recall):

'Not on', she replied

'OK', says I, 'A pint of Marstons Pedigree'

'Thats not on either'

'Adnams Broadside'

'Nope'

'Brains's SA?'

'No!'

'Youngs'

'Still settling'

'Bombardier'

'No'

'So', I said, 'Any real ales on tonight'

'No', she replied, 'they're all off'.

'OK then...gimme three bottles of Becks.'

I should add that Watford is the home of the corporate HQ of Wetherspoons PLC. The 'bar' - and that is a compliment - was an absolute disgrace. I have no intention of ever again visiting one of their outlets which as far as I am concerned are aimed at the sort of people who shop at ASDA - people who know not what they are buying but who are quite happy to join the crowd and pay silly money for tat.

With that post all remaining respect for you has evaporated like a summer cloud.

You had a bad experience at one Wetherspoons in the south of England where real ale is hardly the first choice of the majority and have chosen to lambast the entire chain, plus denigrate anyone who shops at ASDA into the bargain.

I suggest you go back to bed and try getting out of the other side tomorrow.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Too provincial for you then Tealeaf?

My daughter and I have gone to Manchester on odd times and we have gone into one of the Wetherspoons there. OK, so we don't drink beer.
We had a couple of glasses of wine and a chicken salad........I found nothing at all wrong with either of those things. I don't recall it being particularly expensive and it didn't seem like tat either.......ah, but then I am not a connoisseur.
Seemingly, you are used to far better things....and have a scathingly general opinion of anyone who does get some pleasure and enjoyment out of a visit to one of their places.

[Tealeaf]

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

With that post all remaining respect for you has evaporated like a summer cloud.

You had a bad experience at one Wetherspoons in the south of England where real ale is hardly the first choice of the majority and have chosen to lambast the entire chain, plus denigrate anyone who shops at ASDA into the bargain.

I suggest you go back to bed and try getting out of the other side tomorrow.

Absolute rubbish, Ken. You go back to bed.

The proportion of Real Ale drunk to lager fizz is far higher in the south than in the north and a typical pub down here will now normally have three real ales on tap - one southern, one northern and one possibly Cornish or Midlands. I have a choice of drinking Jenning's Cumberland Ale, Taylor's Landlord, Tetley's to name just a few.

As for ASDA, if you and others around Accy are happy to put your money into the pockets of the Walton family of Bentonville, Arkansas, then feel free but if you wish to live up to your socialist credentials then I suggest you do a little google on this company and in particular, it's exploitation of it's workforce. It has more employee lawsuits against it than any other company in corporate USA.

Personally, when I do shop in supermarkets, I use British ones such as Tesco or Sainsbury, or even better, the employee owned Waitrose (available on line in Accy) or the Co-Op.

[Tealeaf]

Breaking News!

One of the NOTW hacks has just been found in Watford.

He'd probably been drinking in that lousy Wetherspoons pub there.

[Ken Moss]

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

Absolute rubbish, Ken. You go back to bed.

The proportion of Real Ale drunk to lager fizz is far higher in the south than in the north and a typical pub down here will now normally have three real ales on tap - one southern, one northern and one possibly Cornish or Midlands. I have a choice of drinking Jenning's Cumberland Ale, Taylor's Landlord, Tetley's to name just a few.

As for ASDA, if you and others around Accy are happy to put your money into the pockets of the Walton family of Bentonville, Arkansas, then feel free but if you wish to live up to your socialist credentials then I suggest you do a little google on this company and in particular, it's exploitation of it's workforce. It has more employee lawsuits against it than any other company in corporate USA.

Personally, when I do shop in supermarkets, I use British ones such as Tesco or Sainsbury, or even better, the employee owned Waitrose (available on line in Accy) or the Co-Op.

I'm well aware of the arsenal of projectile weapons available in Walmart stores over in America but fortunately we're in England, and a deprived part at that. I'm not sure how many Accrington residents would be able to afford their weekly shop at Sainsburys, I know I couldn't. People will take the cheapest option which is why the likes of ASDA and Morrisons are scoring over the dearer Tesco.

Pin the socialist badge on me if it helps your argument but most folk around here like things cheap and the pub trade is dying on its arse precisely because it has become an increasingly expensive hobby.

Why bother with Accyweb if the members from Accrington are of such tasteless persuasion?

[Margaret Pilkington]

Asda emply people from Accrington, they contribute to the local economy.
Some of us do not have the luxury of choice in the way that you seem to...we have to shop where we can make our money go further.
Some of us will shop at all of thos places...buying the bargains that they offer, in order to get people into their stores.

Some of us cannot be so choosy as to boycott certain store because of what they do in other places......and if you look at Tesco, they are not sparkling white either.
I go where I can shop and get the best value for money......and one day, you too, might have to do the same.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Tealeaf, your problem is that you think you are too good for us.....snobbery....alive and well and living somewhere beginning with a W.

[Tealeaf]

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

Why bother with Accyweb if the members from Accrington are of such tasteless persuasion?

I never took you for a surrender merchant, Ken but that is obviously what you have now revealed yourself to be. If you really think that the future of the borough should be based upon a race to the bottom of tat supermarkets such as ASDA (which may or not be cheaper than their rivals - personally, I don't believe the advertising), charity shops, betting establishments and cheapo bars, then go ahead and put that in your manifesto come the next election.

Personally, I do believe that however hard the current economic circumstances, there are people still around who believe in standards and quality and are not prepared to sell out to the latest trendy fad which in the long term will only serve to further debase the local economy.

[Gordon Booth]

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

Personally, I do believe that however hard the current economic circumstances, there are people still around who believe in standards and quality and are not prepared to sell out to the latest trendy fad which in the long term will only serve to further debase the local economy.

Tealeaf, I can't believe you're the snob your posts make you appear to be. Your definition of a good tap room confirms that. By the way, you forgot to include the sawdust and well used spitoons.
Anyone who likes that sort of bar couldn't possibly be a snob, or perhaps you enjoy slumming it?
Of course there are still people who believe in standards and quality,it's just that they can't afford to pay top price for the same branded product they can buy in Asda.What's the difference between Asda Heinz beans and Waitrose Heinz beans? Except price?
I prefer not to shop in Asda, not because of snobbery but because it's foreign owned. As it's the second most successful supermarket in the UK you must look down on an awefull lot of people- how warming for you.
Be honest, you're just having a good stir.Aren't you??

[MargaretR]

Since you are pricing beans, I thought I would do just that here -
Heinz Baked Beanz in Tomato Sauce (415g) in Ocado | mySupermarket
Well would you believe it !!
Ocado, who deliver Waitrose, are the cheapest.
You can check it for yourself by clicking on the tabs at the top.

[Gordon Booth]

MargaretR, you're right of course.
Try Kellogg's Cornflakes(first one I thought of)-750grm-Tesco/Asda £2.00
Sainsbury/Ocado £2.48
Lets not nitpick over individual items, you must agree(as they admit) overall Sainsbury's and Waitrose cost more than Tesco/Asda. It matters to some people.
We're loosing the thread!

[Margaret Pilkington]

Originally Posted by Gordon Booth

I prefer not to shop in Asda, not because of snobbery but because it's foreign owned. As it's the second most successful supermarket in the UK you must look down on an awefull lot of people- how warming for you.
Be honest, you're just having a good stir.Aren't you??

Well, Gordon, it might be foreign owned but it provides jobs for local people, buys goods produced in this country(and I know it also sells goods produced abroad) and in that way it promotes and supports the economy, both local and national.
I know that Asda sponsored healthy eating in schools,because I was one of the people who went out and talked to primary school children about healthy eating........and took with me a great big box of fruit and veg for the children to sample...paid for by Asda.

Some people may not like supermarkets, but they have come about because they have taken over much of the market.....you don't see Veevers on the main street, or any other little local independent grocer, do you.
And why do you think this might be? It is because people took their money and spent in supermarkets....the supermarkets prospered and the little man went to the wall......we did that(or perhaps market forces) so it is no good lamenting their demise now.

Many of us do not have the luxury of shopping in places that are noted for their ethics....we have to shop where the money will go furthest. That is an economic fact of life.
I can't afford to be picky where I buy my food....I have to buy where it is cheapest.