“Better than average” Wetherspoons

[peteb]

Bewdley Wetherspoons The George Hotel is a Grade 2 listed building. Interior not very original/complete due to a couple of fires, but some interesting architecture in hotel part and a nice modern conservatory extension to the side.

 

[dk1]

Don’t forget it’s Tax Equality Day guys. You’ll get 7.5% off your bill on everything. Shame other companies don’t join in and follow JDWs lead on this campaign.

 

[Harpo]

The Giddy Bridge in Southampton is a better ‘Spoons. Unlike so many that extend way back from the street into a cellar-like feeling, it’s very bright and airy. Nice staff too.

 

[NorthOxonian]

Don’t forget it’s Tax Equality Day guys. You’ll get 7.5% off your bill on everything. Shame other companies don’t join in and follow JDWs lead on this campaign.

My local spoons (which otherwise wouldn't feature in this thread) is doing a 91p pint. It's rank, but it is 91p...

 

[dangie]

My local spoons (which otherwise wouldn't feature in this thread) is doing a 91p pint. It's rank, but it is 91p...

Is that the Ruddles?

 

[NorthOxonian]

Is that the Ruddles?

Worthington's, I think! Perfectly inoffensive, in fairness, but definitely no more than that.

 

[dk1]

My local spoons (which otherwise wouldn't feature in this thread) is doing a 91p pint. It's rank, but it is 91p...

Even rank is good at that price

 

[AndrewE]

Even rank is good at that price

no it's not, they are probably charging you less than it would cost them to pay a waste company to take it away and dispose of it! (Unless they have a contract with a vinegar manufacturer...)
However I have had some very nice pints which I wondered whether were remaindered but turned out to be fine.

 

[IanD]

Worthington's, I think! Perfectly inoffensive, in fairness, but definitely no more than that.

Even rank is good at that price

I'd risk a half

 

[Harpo]

My local spoons (which otherwise wouldn't feature in this thread) is doing a 91p pint. It's rank, but it is 91p...

The more you drink, the more you save.

 

[1D54]

The more you drink, the more you save.

It's like going back to the 80s!

Can these prices that they are knocking Worthington out at be described as a loss leader because the people drinking the stuff will not be spending money on food (and i of course mean no offence to any of the good people on here who are taking advantage of it) but it seems crazy that in 2024 you can get beer at such a price. Hey what do i know? Tim Martin is a multi millionaire and a very astute businessman no matter what people's opinions are of him.

 

[peteb]

It's like going back to the 80s!

Can these prices that they are knocking Worthington out at be described as a loss leader because the people drinking the stuff will not be spending money on food (and i of course mean no offence to any of the good people on here who are taking advantage of it) but it seems crazy that in 2024 you can get beer at such a price. Hey what do i know? Tim Martin is a multi millionaire and a very astute businessman no matter what people's opinions are of him.

Of course soft drinks are the big earners for pubs these days. Luckily Wetherspoons usually stocks several 0% or (my preference) 0.5% beers/lagers some of which taste ok and don't fill you full or either sugar or sacharrin-type sweeteners!

 

[Spamcan81]

Just so we know what a “Better than Average” Wetherspoons is, what would we consider the average Wetherspoons standard is? Are we judging by the building, or the decor, or the food & drink, or service…?? Or maybe the clientele who frequent it?

My local ‘Spoons could certainly do with a facelift & spruce up. Compared to some others I’ve been in it looks a bit tired & worn. Maybe it’s because it’s in a smallish town with little competition. A captive audience so to speak.

Letchworth fits your description but it’s next door to Nationwide so when I do some banking, it’s then next door for lunch and beer.

 

[Cambus731]

I was impressed with The George in Wansted. Two floors with a beer garden. And a good range of real ales. Those that I tried seemed nice and well kept

 

[gordonthemoron]

The two I like the best are Hamilton Hall at Liverpool Street and Sir John Hawkshaw at Cannon Street, excellent staff, not too big

 

[Jimini]

I was impressed with The George in Wansted. Two floors with a beer garden. And a good range of real ales. Those that I tried seemed nice and well kept

Yep that’s a cracker.

 

[jon81uk]

Can these prices that they are knocking Worthington out at be described as a loss leader

l think it is still illegal to sell alcohol for less than cost price plus duty plus VAT?

 

[peteb]

l think it is still illegal to sell alcohol for less than cost price plus duty plus VAT?

Current alcohol duties cab be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/tax-on-shopping/alcohol-tobacco
By that chart, duty on draught beer above 3.5% but below 8.5% is £19.08 per litre of pure alcohol, so say a beer is 3.6% eg: Old Golden Hen, then duty on a pint is (556/1000)x19.08x3.6%= 37 pence.
So to loose money it'd have to be proven that production and distribution costs plus 37p a pint was not met by it's sale price. Feel free to argue this point if you know what those costs are!!

 

[peteb]

Current alcohol duties cab be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/tax-on-shopping/alcohol-tobacco
By that chart, duty on draught beer above 3.5% but below 8.5% is £19.08 per litre of pure alcohol, so say a beer is 3.6% eg: Old Golden Hen, then duty on a pint is (556/1000)x19.08x3.6%= 37 pence.
So to loose money it'd have to be proven that production and distribution costs plus 37p a pint was not met by it's sale price. Feel free to argue this point if you know what those costs are!!

Oh plus VAT if applicable!

 

[NorthOxonian]

Current alcohol duties cab be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/tax-on-shopping/alcohol-tobacco
By that chart, duty on draught beer above 3.5% but below 8.5% is £19.08 per litre of pure alcohol, so say a beer is 3.6% eg: Old Golden Hen, then duty on a pint is (556/1000)x19.08x3.6%= 37 pence.
So to loose money it'd have to be proven that production and distribution costs plus 37p a pint was not met by it's sale price. Feel free to argue this point if you know what those costs are!!

Notably - Worthington's is actually 3.4%, which puts it in a different (and much lower) tax band entirely. The relevant rate would be £8.42 per litre of pure alcohol, or about 29p per litre of Worthington's (so 16.2p per pint).

 

[DelW]

I don't hold out much hope for the one at Waterloo, being on the station it will be overpriced and I've had very few positive experiences at Station outlets before. I look forward to reviews

It's not really 'on the station' though

More under the station. I think it'll be underneath the Windsor side platforms if it's where I think it'll be.

It's right next to Brewdog, if you know where that is. I believe the area is known as 'the Sidings'.

Definitely underneath the one-time Eurostar platforms, now in use for Windsor lines. You can hear the trains rumbling overhead, though not as noticeably as at the nearby Hole in the Wall.

Real ales at £4.79 and £4.99, which is competitive in this area.

The carpet features a Eurostar theme, with a 1950s feel to the furnishings (it's called the Lion and Unicorn after a Festival of Britain pavilion).

 

[dk1]

Definitely underneath the one-time Eurostar platforms, now in use for Windsor lines. You can hear the trains rumbling overhead, though not as noticeably as at the nearby Hole in the Wall.

Real ales at £4.79 and £4.99, which is competitive in this area.

The carpet features a Eurostar theme, with a 1950s feel to the furnishings (it's called the Lion and Unicorn after a Festival of Britain pavilion).

Sounds perfect for me on all levels and plenty of people watching too. Cant go wrong.

 

[DelW]

Definitely underneath the one-time Eurostar platforms, now in use for Windsor lines. You can hear the trains rumbling overhead, though not as noticeably as at the nearby Hole in the Wall.

Real ales at £4.79 and £4.99, which is competitive in this area.

The carpet features a Eurostar theme, with a 1950s feel to the furnishings (it's called the Lion and Unicorn after a Festival of Britain pavilion).

Sounds perfect for me on all levels and plenty of people watching too. Cant go wrong.

One for the carpet enthusiasts:

 

[Hadders]

l think it is still illegal to sell alcohol for less than cost price plus duty plus VAT?

It's cost of duty plus VAT in England.
Wales and Scotalnd have a minimum price per unit of alcohol.

 

[dk1]

Manchester Airport have announced Wetherspoons will be opening in terminal 2 next year.

 

[Harpo]

Manchester Airport have announced Wetherspoons will be opening in terminal 2 next year.

Excellent. Lets hope it shakes up other eateries there, like The Grain Loft. £47 for 2 x burger & chips, one coke, one tea. Really?

 

[dk1]

Excellent. Lets hope it shakes up other eateries there, like The Grain Loft. £47 for 2 x burger & chips, one coke, one tea. Really?

It certainly will keep them on their toes.

 

[jon81uk]

Excellent. Lets hope it shakes up other eateries there, like The Grain Loft. £47 for 2 x burger & chips, one coke, one tea. Really?

Won’t be much cheaper at Wetherspoons, Stansted Airport is £14-16 for a burger plus drink price on top. So still looking at around £40 for two burgers chips and drinks.

https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/wp-content/uploads/menus/currentmenus/MENU_7262.pdf

 

[dk1]

Won’t be much cheaper at Wetherspoons, Stansted Airport is £14-16 for a burger plus drink price on top. So still looking at around £40 for two burgers chips and drinks.

https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/wp-content/uploads/menus/currentmenus/MENU_7262.pdf

Still offers some of the best deals. Spoons will be an absolute magnet at Manchester Airport and a success from the outset.

 

[Segedunum]

Still offers some of the best deals. Spoons will be an absolute magnet at Manchester Airport and a success from the outset.

You also know what you're going to get. I know I can sit down in Stansted Spoons, order a drink on the app and it'll turn up in a few minutes.

Meanwhile at other airports with their varying bars I've had all sorts of weird and wacky service.