Wetherspoons often gets bad press and in some quarters does have a certain stigma attached to it. Perhaps because, like Sam Smith Brewery, it has an outspoken controversial owner / figurehead that divides opinion. Possibly it’s because it’s open early doors and every establishment has a motley crew of seasoned locals sometimes nailing brandy at 08:01.

They’re pretty male dominated environments, can be intimidating in certain areas and some with a snobby nose might not call the majority of punters “life’s winners”. Personally I don’t agree and would flip that saying, like all pubcos, they have things they can do better at but I believe they provide an excellent almost public service being open for 16 hours a day. They offer a home-from-home for the disenfranchised, who won’t pay £6 a pint, and the lonely.

Although, after the way Chairman Tim Martin behaved with scant regard towards his staff at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, I’m on a lifetime boycott (unless beyond my control if a birthday or event of family and friends is chosen to take place in one of their hostelries) they, and especially Craft Union pubs, add great value to the UK pub landscape.

For those of a certain vintage there is an indirect pastoral social responsibility that their local pub provides. Many old boys local pub is an extension of their living room and the staff and punters might also be the only people they talk to all day. The pub is a lifeline for them. I’ve been in many with fires that the old boys sit in front of all day to keep warm and the staff, due to the frequency of their visits, are very much friendly. They rely on this vital interaction and for someone to watch out for them. I’ve heard countless tales over the years of staff quickly recognising that a punctual daily local you could set your watch to hasn’t shown up for his Light & Bitter. Staff have zipped around their flat, not had a response, the emergency service have been quickly called and reacted to save someones life after a fall or a funny turn. Never underestimate the value a pub and its staff have other than just serving drinks. They are the cornerstone of the community.

I used to use two Spoons in particular at least 3 times a week and I enjoyed my visits. They have excellent outside spaces, food is affordable and they were both spotlessly clean. I enjoy the craic with the old boys who haunt the bar and people are always friendly and keen to chat (passing the time of day is something of a lost art for some people now). Sure, they could have music and a lot of the names are sterile but I love how they reuse old buildings and some of the ale festivals are excellent.

While many pubs fold and small pubcos get bought out Spoons have a model that works and you can expect their presence on the High Street to be perpetual. There is something comforting about that and I think it can only be a good thing. Just don’t talk about Brexit, it’s a dirty word. You know what to do...