Our love affair with Wetherspoons began almost half a century ago, when the first pub opened in Muswell Hill, north London, in 1979.
Since then, hundreds have sprung up in every corner of Britain – many in repurposed, architecturally interesting buildings such as old theatres and cinemas.
Yet while the budget-oriented chain continues to go strong – there are now 799 pubs – many customers have expressed concerns that service standards may be slipping.
Among common complaints regularly aired in online forums are sticky tables and carpets, cold food, flat drinks, dirty toilets and slow service at the bar. Other gripes include surly staff, litter on floors, lipstick on glasses and items missing from food orders.
So, by analysing Google and Tripadvisor ratings and consulting expert Mags Thompson, who’s been to every Wetherspoon pubs in Britain (except for the one airside at Gatwick Airport), we’ve compiled an unofficial list of the worst Wetherspoons in the UK as rated by customers.
This is not a formal ranking by any food guides or health officials. We’ve let regular punters get their beefs off their chests.
And – to be even-handed – we’ve also included comments from those who enjoyed these Wetherspoons. After all, statistics – including Google and Tripadvisor stats – may not always tell the full truth.
The properties cover the length and breadth of the country, from Exeter to Manchester, London, Edinburgh, Leeds, Sheffield, the Brecon Beacons and Brighton.
When approached with the findings, a spokesperson for Wetherspoons resolutely defended them: ‘All the pubs have a 5 of out 5 rating from local council EHOs [Environmental Health Officers] under the Government‘s Scores on the Doors’ food hygiene scheme. The Walter Scott in Edinburgh airport has the maximum pass rating under the separate Scottish government scheme.
‘Our own internal quality assessment visits, called CQSMA (which stands for cleanliness , quality, service, maintenance, atmosphere) give an average score of 90.6 per cent versus 91 per cent for all the company’s pubs for the same period. The average score for this group of pubs on Google reviews for the last 12 months is 3.75 out of 5 which is reasonable.
‘We do not consider Tripadvisor to be accurate, since it is usually based on a small number of reviews. Our conclusion, especially in light of the independent EHO food hygiene results, is that these pubs are well run any standards although there is of course always room for improvement.’
All of that said… is your local Spoons on the list?
The Atrium – Birmingham NEC
The Atrium in Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre was called a ‘massive disappointment’ by one visitor, but others said the ‘food was very fresh’
Within the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976, the Atrium has an unremarkable exterior, marked ‘Wetherspoon’ in large blue letters, leading to a bland interior. Prices for meals and drinks are noticeably higher than at other Spoons.
Tripadvisor: 2.5
Google: 2.9
Combined score: 5.4 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘Massive disappointment! Family outing overshadowed by overpriced, badly cooked, meagre meals. Worse still, this was followed by appalling customer service,’ said one customer on Tripadvisor.
‘Visiting the Motorhome and Caravan Show [we] decided to eat here. Wished we hadn’t: disgusting, filthy place. Dirty tables and food left all over the floor. As for the food I wouldn’t have given it to our dog. Overpriced and absolutely foul,’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘Good overall. They take cash unlike several NEC outlets, so well done Spoons. Giving the customer the choice pays – we walked past your competitors to come to you,’ said one customer on Google. Another added: ‘Food very fresh and was very busy. Service good food with 20mins.’
Our Wetherspoons expert says: ‘It’s not very well-signposted within the NEC. I was thinking: where on earth is it? It was nothing special inside.’
Cheapest pint: £4.75 for Greene King Ruddles Best
The Chevalier Inn – Exeter
The Chevalier Inn in Exeter may sell a pint of Greene King IPA for just £1.79 but some punters were unimpressed with the food and service
The original Chevalier Inn, two 17th-century townhouses, was destroyed in the Blitz in 1942. It was named after a model of a knight (chevalier) on one of the former townhouses. High windows in a Lego block-style building offer glimpses of the cavernous bar within.
Tripadvisor: 2.5
Google: 3.6
Combined score: 6.1 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘Absolutely terrible, terrible service today. Fully disgusted on how the service was. It took 50 minutes to get my food and when the order arrived [the plate] was half empty! I even paid extra for sauce and I didn’t get any,’ one customer said on Google.
‘Ordered a pizza which arrived burnt with hardly any cheese, so I sent it back. It was replaced with a still burnt pizza (although less burnt than previously),’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘Very nice pub in the centre of town, good range of food and beverages for an average/good price. Staff are friendly and ques [sic] are quick to be resolved.. food service was fast and drinks was [sic] superb. A very good Wetherspoons branch,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘It was quite traditional and basic: not good or bad, but there was no “wow this is amazing” about it.’
Cheapest pint: £1.79 for Greene King IPA
J.J. Moon’s – Tooting, London
J.J. Moon’s may be named after George Orwell’s essay about the perfect pub, but it doesn’t live up to that billing according to some visitors
Facing Tooting Broadway Tube station, J.J. Moon’s name ironically derives from George Orwell’s famous essay about a dream perfect pub, entitled The Moon Under Water, written in 1943. These days, it does not quite live up to that billing, according to many visitors.
Tripadvisor: 2.5
Google: 3.7
Combined score: 6.2 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘An absolute dump. Filthy dark hole of a place. Went in to have a beer and maybe some food, but left without even finishing drink. Toilets filthy, floor disgusting, and tables not wiped… tiny flies buzzing around us. Awful, awful pub,’ said one customer on Tripadvisor. ‘One of the most run down pubs I have been to,’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘Got to be among the top five cheapest pints in London. They had a special offer for an amber ale for £1.49… let that sink in! It is an all-day boozer with its own charm,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘I remember it being quite a small one, convenient for the station.’
Cheapest pint: £1.79 for Greene King Ruddles Best
The Sirhowy – Blackwood, Caerphilly
One customer called The Sirhowy in Caerphilly ‘lovely’ and ‘clean’, but another claimed it was ‘dirty’ with bad service
The Sirhowy is named after a former tramway begun in 1805 which passed by outside, crossing the Sirhowy Valley, with wagons pulled by horses. It’s in a stained brick building next to a careers advice/job centre and close to an Asda Superstore.
Tripadvisor: 2.5
Google: 3.7
Combined score: 6.2 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘Very busy. Meal was average. Very slow to clear tables. We found a table which had dishes from previous occupiers, ordered our meal. Drinks were brought to the table, but they still didn’t clear table, or when they brought the meal,’ said one customer on Google.
‘Terrible place, table dirty, ordered food (breakfast) and hot drinks. Food came, without our drinks, and when the mugs came they had lipstick on them,’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘Can’t fault the food for the price it was lovely. The toilets are clean. So is the bar area,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘An average-type Wetherspoon.’
Cheapest pint: £1.29 for Greene King Ruddles Best
The Union Rooms – Plymouth
Customers have bashed The Union Rooms on Tripadvisor, saying they had ‘the worst breakfast ever’ and that it took ‘ten minutes to pour a pint of Stella’…
…but our Wetherspoon expert said the vast space, with its bold blue patterned carpet, is ‘quite nice’
In a prominent smoked glass building on a corner by a busy junction, the Union Rooms is across the street from the Plymouth Pavilions theatre. Inside is a vast open-plan bar with a blue carpet with a circular pattern. There’s also outdoor seating on a paved courtyard.
Tripadvisor: 2.5
Google: 3.8
Combined score: 6.3 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘Worst breakfast ever. The food was awful – some items not available – and cold. The area was dirty, the tables were dirty and sticky, as was the carpet,’ said one customer on Tripadvisor. ‘Slow service even though the place is pretty dead… why does it take over ten minutes to pour a pint of Stella,’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘The food is nicely cooked. Staff are professional and helpful even under pressure,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘It’s quite a nice one actually, I liked the little rooms [booths] on the side.’
Cheapest pint: £1.79 for Greene King IPA
London and North Western – New Street Station, Birmingham
The London and North Western in Birmingham New Street Station is loved by some, but has had some lousy online reviews
A controversial inclusion, as many people like this pub, including our Wetherspoon expert (see below). But the stats are uncompromising – and this sleek new-build pub, opened in 2022 on the station concourse, has had some lousy online reviews.
Tripadvisor: 3
Google: 3.4
Combined score: 6.4 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘Worst Wetherspoon I’ve ever been to. Dirty place, people serving tables with unfriendly – their faces and manners. It was a 30-minute wait for a simple brownie… my experience with this chain of pubs is overall good but this one is terrible,’ said one customer on Google. ‘This pub is in a major transport hub and charges premium prices for a very poor service,’ said another on Tripadvisor.
On a more positive note: ‘Thank you for excellent service, great facilities and a train timetable that’s so helpful for waiting passengers,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘Oh my goodness, I’m really surprised it got low scores. I really liked it.’
Cheapest pint: £1.99 for a Greene King Ruddles Best
Sir Walter Scott – Edinburgh Airport
Sir Walter Scott at Edinburgh Airport is a stop-off for many headling on holiday, but may not be the ideal start to the trip with one customer saying they had the ‘worst buffalo burger ever’ there
Past security at the airport, the Sir Walter Scott has a bright orange sign with an open-plan layout that’s tightly packed with tables. Lights hang from a muddle of exposed air-conditioning vents above. Departure screens allow you to keep an eye on flights.
Tripadvisor: 3
Google: 3.5
Combined score: 6.5 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘Worst buffalo burger ever: barely warm, cheap tiny bun, a few barely warm oven chips and a dried-up piece of chicken. The pepperoni pizza was almost devoid of cheese and the base paper thin,’ said one customer on Tripadvisor. ‘Excessive prices. Food was ok, but it took 15 minutes to find a table and 20 minutes to get food. This is not viable for airport,’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘It was an incredible atmosphere, so much chatter and noise… We were also pleasantly surprised the food arrived so quickly and the standard was extremely good,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘It was small and busy, and difficult to get served.’
Cheapest pint: £4.75 for a Belhaven 80 Shilling
Charles Henry Roe – Leeds
The Charles Henry Roe in Leeds impressed our Wetherspoon expert, but still has a low score on Tripadvisor and Google
Despite its sleek look, one customer said the pub had ‘dirty tables and empty glasses not collected’
Named after a local manufacturer who opened Crossgates Carriage Works, a coach-building factory in the neighbourhood, back in 1921. It’s by a bus stop on the eastern edge of Leeds not so far from Junction 46 of the M1.
TripAdvisor: 2.5
Google: 4.1
Combined score: 6.6 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘The main issues are the dirty tables and vast amount of empty glasses not collected. No care was given at all,’ said one customer on Tripadvisor. ‘Where do I start? This place has seriously gone down the pan. It used to be great for food and drinks, however this is sadly not the case now more… sticky tables and empty glasses and discarded food,’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘For the money there is no competition! Drinks are the cheapest and are excellent! Food is the cheapest and does the job! The staff are excellent also,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘All the Wetherspoons I visited in Leeds were nice.’
Cheapest pint: £1.79 for a Greene King Ruddles Best
The William Aylmer – Harlow, Essex
The William Aylmer has a run-down exterior and inside the space is gloomy with a low ceiling and dark carpet
Not much to look at from the outside – reminiscent of the office block from the TV comedy series The Office starring Ricky Gervais. Inside is a gloomy space with a low ceiling, a burgundy carpet with a swirly pattern and a long wooden bar.
Tripadvisor: 3
Google: 3.6
Combined score: 6.6 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘Everyone knows Wetherspoons is cheap and cheerful. Nothing wrong with that! But this place was so dirty… everything was sticky.’ On a more positive note: ‘Nice, quiet clean place. Very tasty pizza, and great pint of Carlsberg,’ said one customer on Tripadvisor.
On a more positive note: ‘Nice, quiet clean place. Very tasty pizza, and great pint of Carlsberg,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘The layout wasn’t great and it was a bit cold.’
Cheapest pint: £1.79 for a Greene King IPA
Grover & Allen – Sudbury, Suffolk
Located in a former grocer’s shop, a punter warned on Google that ale-lovers should ‘steer clear’ of the Grover & Allen
In a former grocer’s shop, where a man named Joe Grover traded in 1850, this corner property became a cooperative grocery and provisions shop for many years, before turning into a Wetherspoon pub. The bleak grey exterior leads to a large, dimly-lit bar.
TripAdvisor: 3
Google: 3.7
Combined score: 6.7 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘Pretty awful school dinners from 1970s spring to mind: processed meat, cannonball peas, tasteless mush. Fish and chips was average with cold chips and overcooked peas that were a funny shade of green. Will give this pub a miss next time,’ said one customer on Tripadvisor.
‘If you’re after ale I’d steer clear of this establishment. Cheap, but too often tasted of pipe cleaning fluid,’ said another on Google.
On a more positive note: ‘This is a really lovely Wetherspoons. It has loads of space and has a really nice atmosphere… The food was well cooked and hot,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘It wasn’t particularly special.’
Cheapest pint: £1.79 for a Greene King IPA
The Bridge House – Chippenham, Wiltshire
The Bridge House in Chippenham may feature high ceilings and a balcony for alfresco dining, but one customer said the food was a ‘rank and revolting mess’
Beside the River Avon in the market town of Chippenham, Bridge House is in a large, austere-looking redbrick structure. The interior has high ceilings and plenty of booths. There’s a balcony for alfresco drinks and dining.
TripAdvisor: 3
Google: 3.7
Combined score: 6.7 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘The breakfast at your Chippenham branch ranks as the most rank and revolting mess I have ever had the misfortune to be served… it truly was a ghastly experience. Not even worthy of one star,’ said one customer on Google.
‘Tables not cleared after we had finished our meal. The food I had – British beef chilli – was very dry. The pub wasn’t that clean at all,’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘Incredible venue, and stellar staff with an amazing selection of drinks,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘Quite a nice one, in quite an impressive building.’
Cheapest pint: £1.79 for a Greene King Ruddles Best
The Bright Helm – Brighton, West Sussex
The Bright Helm in Brighton is always busy – though one customer said they will ‘never return’
On a corner on the west side of the centre of Brighton, about a ten-minute stroll from the main railway station, this huge, imposing pub can get extremely busy. The name comes from ‘Brighthelmstone’, the local settlement recorded in the Domesday book.
Tripadvisor: 3
Google: 3.7
Combined score: 6.7 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘Worst ever Spoons. Went here this morning. We asked two members of staff to clear our table, but nothing. Our drinks never arrived. Breakfast was stone cold when it eventually arrived,’ said one customer on Tripadvisor. ‘Embarrassing! So bad! Customer service was atrocious, will never return!’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘Lovely pub came here on Halloween, I had the small veggie brunch wrap which was great for a light bite to eat. Friendly swift service,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘There was nothing startling about it.’
Cheapest pint: £1.79 for a Green King IPA.
Flying Horse – South Terminal, Gatwick Airport
The Flying Horse in Gatwick’s South Terminal was named by one customer as ‘the worst value restaurant in the terminal’
Impossible to miss after passing through security in the South Terminal with a bright yellow sign, open sides and an open-plan layout. It takes orders from 3.30am to 10pm. The name comes from Gatwick being built on the site of a former racecourse.
Tripadvisor: 3
Google: 3.7
Combined score: 6.7 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘Unbelievably expensive for a Spoons, £15.50 for perhaps the worst cheeseburger I have ever eaten. A McDonald’s burger would have been better… Must be the worst value restaurant in the terminal. Avoid and go elsewhere,’ said one customer on Google.
‘The food was ok, but the cutlery was filthy. Even when they changed it, it was still not 100 per cent clean. I ended up using vinegar to clean it. I will not be returning,’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘We went for our dinner. The service, by using the app, was very fast, even [though] the place was crowded. The tikka masala tasted amazing,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘This is the only one I’ve not been to, so I can’t comment.’
Cheapest pint: £5.05 for a Sharp’s Doom Bar
The Lynd Cross – Horsham, West Sussex
Our Wetherspoon expert said The Lynd Cross was ‘alright – nothing more than that’, but others have said it is ‘great value’
At the base of a plain, rectangular brick building, The Lynd Cross has a corner entrance beneath a sign bearing the pub name in wonky gold letters. It’s a tad gloomy inside with seating scattered between pillars and steps to different levels.
Tripadvisor: 3
Google: 3.7
Combined score: 6.7 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘Diabolical. The worst Wetherspoons I have ever been in… very long wait at the bar and for meals to be brought to the table. Really wish they hadn’t bothered: dried up peas, burnt batter on overcooked, dry fish and hard chip,’ said one customer on Tripadvisor. ‘Depressing. The place needs a revamp. It resembles a doss house… they had very few ales on tap and these were mostly out,’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘Have to share what a friendly and efficient team there are here. Menu such great value,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘I thought it was alright – nothing more than that.’
Cheapest pint: £1.79 for a Greene King IPA.
The Scarsdale Hundred – Sheffield
The Scarsdale Hundred was formerly an American-style diner before it was converted to a Wetherspoon pub in 2021
In Beighton, just to the south-east of Sheffield, the Scarsdale Hundred is in a large building that was formerly an American-style diner before being converted to a Wetherspoon pub in 2021. The interior is cavernous with high ceilings hung with chandeliers.
Tripadvisor: 2.5
Google: 4.2
Combined score: 6.7 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘Poor customer service. I brought my elderly nan for dinner. She had the steak and kidney pudding with mash, and it came out and the pie crust was rock hard. The mash was cold… when we complained and said we wouldn’t ever be returning [a member of staff] said “ok”,’ said one customer on Tripadvisor.
‘Ordered poached eggs as soon as the doors opened. I could see the poached eggs on the serving hatch. By the time they got to me they were cold,’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘We came on curry night, very very busy but all the staff were lovely and accommodating. Ordered on the app and to my surprise they came quick! Definitely coming back 10/10,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘I liked all the Wetherspoons in Sheffield.’
Cheapest pint: £2.75 for a Sharp’s Doom Bar.
The White Swan – Islington, London
The White Swan, next to Highbury and Islington Tube station in London, was described by one punter as ‘grubby’ and ‘in need of a makeover’
Next to Highbury and Islington Tube station, the White Swan is in a nondescript grey 1960s building that used to be the headquarters of the Working Men’s Club and Institute Union (ironically founded by a teetotaller, the Reverend Henry Solly, in the 19th century).
Tripadvisor: 3
Google: 3.7
Combined score: 6.7 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘Ordered on the app and the food didn’t arrive, so I went to speak to the bar staff twice, who firstly assured us that they’d received the order and then, half an hour later when the food still hadn’t arrived, said they hadn’t. [We were told] to order again and I was charged twice,’ said one customer on Google. ‘Grubby, in need of a makeover,’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘Very big menu and location! Food is good and prices are even better! Good menu deals,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘A typical London Wetherspoons, it wasn’t anything fancy.’
Cheapest pint: £1.99 for a Greene King IPA.
The Albany Palace – Trowbridge, Wiltshire
Though The Albany Palace was recently refurbished, some customers were still left unimpressed by the food served
This is in the setting of what was previously the Electric Palace of Varieties, a cinema run by the early pioneer of British film, Albany Ward, from 1910 to 1914. Refurbished last year, it comes with smart pistachio-green walls, high ceilings and a big beer garden.
Tripadvisor: 3
Google: 3.8
Combined score: 6.8 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘We were excited to visit as it has recently re-opened after being refurbished. The bar has been moved and there is some extra seating and a new outside area. The food came out fairly quickly – we had ordered two veggie breakfasts but everything was completely cold. We complained [and fresh ones were made]… but they were hardly warmer than the first. An unpleasant and wholly disappointing experience,’ said one customer on Tripadvisor. ‘How difficult is it to not serve a burned burger?’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘Absolutely awesome building and newly refurbished… why go to another pub and pay three times more for your pint?’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘I thought it was going to be old-fashioned, but it’s got a nice smart layout.’
Cheapest pint: £1.99 for a Sharp’s Doom Bar.
The King of Wessex – Bath, Somerset
The King of Wessex in Bath is named after Edgar the Peacemaker, the King of Wessex and England
The bar is found in a complex near Thermae Bath Spa and Bath Abbey, beneath a Nando’s on the floor above
Not far from Thermae Bath Spa and Bath Abbey, this Wetherspoons is named after Edgar the Peacemaker, the King of Wessex and England (944-975), who was crowned at the Abbey after taking the throne in 959. It’s in a complex with a Nando’s on the floor above.
Tripadvisor: 3
Google: 3.8
Combined score: 6.8 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘They got my order wrong, and it took too long for them to change it. Then my onion bhaji was a bit burned. The lady at the counter was chatting with her colleague and not paying attention to me,’ said one customer on Google.
‘My wife had the mixed grill and her meat was tough and cold. I had the sausages with chips and beans, the sausages were barely warm and the beans stone cold. I used to be a chef… more should have been done to avoid this,’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘Really enjoyed our lunch. Prompt polite service, good choice of food and reasonably priced – can’t go wrong here,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘It’s got nice lighting and a good mixture of traditional and modern fittings.’
Cheapest pint: £1.79 for a Greene King Ruddles Best
Moon Under Water – Milton Keynes
The Moon Under Water is again named after George Owell’s essay on a perfect pub – but it’s online reviews may tell a different story
Within the Xscape Milton Keynes centre, featuring bowling alleys, indoor ski slopes, climbing walls and a cinema, this is one of 13 Wetherspoons named Moon Under Water – after George Orwell’s 1943 essay on a perfect pub. Inside, it’s vast, with a low ceiling.
Tripadvisor: 3
Google: 3.8
Combined score: 6.8 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘The table hadn’t been cleared and still wasn’t properly clean after the staff came round… My measly burger was barely enough to feed a child let alone an adult… Wetherspoons, where did it all go wrong for you? You used to be a solid budget brand,’ said one customer Google. ‘The worst Wetherspoons I’ve ever been in, and I must have been in more than 100. The staff couldn’t care less,’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘What a wonderful place. Staff, manager and security staff were very pleasant,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘A lovely one – very welcoming and in a great location by the shopping centre.’
Cheapest pint: £1.79 for a Greene King Ruddles Best
Moon Under Water – Wolverhampton
Another Wetherspoon named The Moon Under Water, Wolverhampton’s version also did not impress some online reviewers
In an Art Deco building by Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, this Moon Under Water is due to have hotel rooms and a pub ‘heritage centre’ installed upstairs. Downstairs, expect burgundy carpets and information panels on Charlie Chaplin’s early appearances at the Grand.
Tripadvisor: 3
Google: 3.8
Combined score: 6.8 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘The place was filthy, unlike some Spoons I’ve frequented. Sticky tables and loads of empty glasses, dishes and cutlery on tables – plus rubbish under the tables. Just not enough staff,’ said one customer on Tripadvisor. ‘Ordered the steak asked for well done… well done does not mean cremated, said another.
On a more positive note: ‘Cannot fault this place – not gourmet food, just honest grub and exceptional value for money,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘I liked it in Wolverhampton – very friendly people. This was traditional and homely: one of the ones I didn’t really want to come out of.’
Cheapest pint: £1.79 for a Greene King Ruddles Best
The Reginald Mitchell – Hanley, Staffordshire
Despite its slightly run-down exterior, The Reginald Mitchell has had a recent refurb, with our Wetherspoon expert having ‘no strong opinions on this one’
Named after the engineer who designed the Spitfire plane – educated at Hanley High School – the Reginald Mitchell is housed in a striking grey-stone building that used to be a meat market (no cheap gags, please). It’s had a recent refurb.
Tripadvisor: 3
Google: 3.8
Combined score: 6.8 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘Pizza was like shoe leather, and my chips were also cold. I’d give it 1 out of 10. We thought we would try it after the revamp – will not be going again absolutely disgusting,’ said one customer on Tripadvisor.
‘I’m usually quite happy in a Wetherspoons but this was a below-par experience. Not very busy on an early Friday evening, but an item was missed from my order, the steak was tough and flavourless, and chips tasted oddly stale,’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘It was amazing, the food was perfect, and also the drinks. I would rate this 1,000 out of 10 if I could,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘I have no strong opinions on this one. It was ok.’
Cheapest pint: £1.79 for a Greene King Ruddles Best
The Mardi Gras – The Trafford Centre, Manchester
Despite its glamorous facade – designed to look as though it belongs in New Orleans – one customer online said the food at The Mardi Gras was ‘really gross’, though another called the pub ‘very decent’
With a facade designed to look like it belongs in the French Quarter in New Orleans, US – complete with wrought iron balconies and swirly stucco – the Mardi Gras stands out somewhat on the western edge of Manchester in the Trafford Centre shopping mall.
Tripadvisor: 3
Google: 3.8
Combined score: 6.8 out of 10
What the punters say: ‘Food was really gross and mostly went untouched. The chicken burger was pink in the middle and the beef burgers were like tiny hockey pucks. Garlic bread was ok but cold,’ said one customer on Tripadvisor. ‘The Aperol Spritz was flat, not even convinced it was prosecco. Staff refused to change it. Don’t visit – the customer service is terrible,’ said another.
On a more positive note: ‘A very decent Spoons. Must be the cheapest place in Trafford Centre to get a beer and food. Would recommend,’ said one customer on Google.
Our Wetherspoon expert says: ‘I like it as it was quite big for a Soons in a shopping centre and the staff were welcoming.’
Cheapest pint: £3.20 for a Sharp’s Doom Bar
- Ratings correct earlier this week (February 23, 2025). The final six of the 22 on the list scored a combined total of 6.8 out of ten – just as many other Wetherspoons did. However, they were based on a higher number of reviews than other Wetherspoons that scored 6.8, hence their inclusion.