“Better than average” Wetherspoons

[dk1]

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.

Very true indeed. Unlimited coffee refills too. I always think the other outlets at Stansted must look at The Windmill with a certain degree of envy.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I often find it hard in my mind to justify the prices of airport spoons

 

[dk1]

I often find it hard in my mind to justify the prices of airport spoons

Really? They still tend to knock the competition out of the water. Prices vary across all Wetherspoon pubs in the UK & Eire depending on location.

 

[DelW]

I often find it hard in my mind to justify the prices of airport spoons

I imagine the costs at an airport site are *much* higher than at other locations.

The premises rental is an obvious one, but also they'll be competing with lots of other companies for staff. Those staff have to spend extra time travelling to and from the airport, and if the bar is airside they'll have to pass security vetting. Deliveries are likely to need more admin and take longer. Power and water etc. may be subject to a mark-up if they're provided via the airport operator.

All those extra costs have to be recouped via higher prices. They're more obvious at spoons because it's easier to compare against high street prices.

 

[Bald Rick]

I imagine the costs at an airport site are *much* higher than at other locations.

The premises rental is an obvious one, but also they'll be competing with lots of other companies for staff. Those staff have to spend extra time travelling to and from the airport, and if the bar is airside they'll have to pass security vetting. Deliveries are likely to need more admin and take longer. Power and water etc. may be subject to a mark-up if they're provided via the airport operator.

All those extra costs have to be recouped via higher prices. They're more obvious at spoons because it's easier to compare against high street prices.

Dont forget they can sell their booze duty free to international travellers

 

[Cross City]

I imagine the costs at an airport site are *much* higher than at other locations.

The premises rental is an obvious one, but also they'll be competing with lots of other companies for staff. Those staff have to spend extra time travelling to and from the airport, and if the bar is airside they'll have to pass security vetting. Deliveries are likely to need more admin and take longer. Power and water etc. may be subject to a mark-up if they're provided via the airport operator.

All those extra costs have to be recouped via higher prices. They're more obvious at spoons because it's easier to compare against high street prices.

Airports invariably take a percentage of profit from businesses as well as charging very high ground rent.

I'd much rather go to a Spoons at an airport than anything else, at least you know what you're getting.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Really? They still tend to knock the competition out of the water. Prices vary across all Wetherspoon pubs in the UK & Eire depending on location.

Most of my flying is short hop, UK domestic and on the odd occasion that I'm going to be at the airport long enough to visit a spoons, I'd rather use one of my loyalty schemes to simply buy a discounted pass for one of the premium lounges and thus far I've had better food and service in Oneida environment, and if I'm going to be at the airport for that long, I generally want peace and quiet and possibly somewhere to work, burnt. If I'm just wanting a quick bite to eat then I'm quite happy with a bacon roll from one of the cafes to be honest

 

[1D54]

Dont forget they can sell their booze duty free to international travellers

There is enough problem passengers around as it is having spent hours getting tanked up prior to the flight without pubs airside selling cheap booze.

 

[dangie]

There is enough problem passengers around as it is having spent hours getting tanked up prior to the flight without pubs airside selling cheap booze.

There are problem passengers that’s true, but there’s far more non-problem passengers. Stopping the sale of ‘cheap booze’ would be penalising the many over the few. Anyone who has obviously had one or two too many should not be allowed onto the aircraft, but of course that argument would be for a different post.

 

[1D54]

Of course but seeing as there is no such thing as cheap booze airside in a pub/ bar at a UK airport it matters very little anyway.

 

[Bald Rick]

Of course but seeing as there is no such thing as cheap booze airside in a pub/ bar at a UK airport it matters very little anyway.

It just means Mr Martin is collecting the duty from you and putting it in his pocket!

(as are all the others airside international, of course).

 

[jon81uk]

It just means Mr Martin is collecting the duty from you and putting it in his pocket!

(as are all the others airside international, of course).

I doubt it, as they don't ask to see boarding passes when ordering so they have no idea who is domestic or international passengers.

 

[Bald Rick]

I doubt it, as they don't ask to see boarding passes when ordering so they have no idea who is domestic or international passengers.

Depends what youre ordering, but Ive certainly had my pass scanned at bars in UK airports.

 

[jon81uk]

Depends what youre ordering, but Ive certainly had my pass scanned at bars in UK airports.

I've always ordered on the Wetherspoons app and its never asked.

 

[AndrewE]

I've always ordered on the Wetherspoons app and its never asked.

you will probably find that it has already matched you on a database - or 3 - and knows exactly why you are there and what flight you are taking!

 

[dk1]

It just means Mr Martin is collecting the duty from you and putting it in his pocket!

(as are all the others airside international, of course).

A solid businessman then

 

[Shrop]

I arrived into Inverness with my wife on the Caledonian Sleeper a week ago today, and we walked just 5 minutes to the "Kings Highway", ie the Wetherspoons in Inverness, where we each had an excellent breakfast for a very reasonable price. This set us up perfectly for the day, and after picking up our rental car we only needed coffee and cake in Ullapool, before eventually arriving at the very comfortable and accommodating Altnacealgach Motel (at Ledmore) for the night some 20 miles further north (through what I believe to be some of the best scenery in the UK).

The following day, after appreciating the magnificent scenery we arrived back into Inverness at 5pm to return the car, and due to being impressed by the Wetherspoons the day before, we went there for an early evening meal with a couple of drinks before catching the Sleeper back south. We agreed that both the price and food quality were excellent, and the staff were great too.

I did get a quick shot of part of the drinks menu for the approval of friends back home ...

 

[Bald Rick]

I did get a quick shot of part of the drinks menu for the approval of friends back home ...

That drinks menu further reinforces my opinion of the place! There’s literally nothing I would touch on that.

 

[DelW]

That drinks menu further reinforces my opinion of the place! There’s literally nothing I would touch on that.

With the possible exception of the single malts at the bottom, the drinks pictured are mostly heavily advertised "brands", which don't include anything I'd normally drink either.

But the "guest ales" and "guest ciders" (generic pictures left of centre) in most Wetherspoons will include a variety of beers and ciders from smaller and often local brewers and producers. I've very rarely found a lack of anything worth drinking among those, and often I'm spoilt for choice.

 

[Shrop]

That drinks menu further reinforces my opinion of the place! There’s literally nothing I would touch on that.

In defence of the Inverness Wetherspoons, what this photo doesn't show is details of the guest ales. My personal preference is a dark bitter or a mild, and they did have a very good dark bitter (but alas I can't remember what it was called). The barman was decent enough to let me taste some samples first, which I gratefully accepted before partaking in a very agreeable pint. I'm quite fussy with ales, not just the type but also that they have to taste exactly how they should, but I had no complaints at all, and for just £2.79. Very satisfied!

 

[Bald Rick]

With the possible exception of the single malts at the bottom, the drinks pictured are mostly heavily advertised "brands", which don't include anything I'd normally drink either.

Somehow I missed the wee drams. Even then, I‘d have the Dalwhinnie and at a push the Laphroaig, but not the others.

 

[dangie]

That drinks menu further reinforces my opinion of the place! There’s literally nothing I would touch on that.

As they say, don't judge a book by its cover. Or a pub by its generic drinks menu. Just try it, you might like it.

 

[Red Onion]

With the possible exception of the single malts at the bottom, the drinks pictured are mostly heavily advertised "brands", which don't include anything I'd normally drink either.

But the "guest ales" and "guest ciders" (generic pictures left of centre) in most Wetherspoons will include a variety of beers and ciders from smaller and often local brewers and producers. I've very rarely found a lack of anything worth drinking among those, and often I'm spoilt for choice.

The cask ales are what draw me into a ‘spoons, I’ve never found any problem with them and there’s generally something decent on the pumps. They also have good real ale festivals twice a year (I think) which have some cracking ales. There might well be one soon if I’m thinking right…

 

[Bald Rick]

Just try it, you might like it.

I have, and I don’t!

 

[DelW]

The cask ales are what draw me into a ‘spoons, I’ve never found any problem with them and there’s generally something decent on the pumps. They also have good real ale festivals twice a year (I think) which have some cracking ales. There might well be one soon if I’m thinking right…

9th to 20th October, with a rather more tempting range than above!

 

[Revilo]

A solid businessman then

Whilst also employing lots of people and contributing positively to the economy.

 

[1D54]

As they say, don't judge a book by its cover. Or a pub by its generic drinks menu. Just try it, you might like it.

Absolutely. JDW is knocked by all but these places can be superb. I've done 600 of them and as many that have left me disappointed there are as many that i would/have returned to.. I met Tim Martin many years ago in one in Birmingham and he came across a top genuine guy.

 

[Red Onion]

9th to 20th October, with a rather more tempting range than above!

View attachment 166635View attachment 166636View attachment 166637View attachment 166638

Some great looking beers on that menu! Count me in

 

[Harpo]

Over a decade since me and a pal lodged at Inverness ‘spoons for two nights. Even then it had a ‘malt of the week’ to take to bed at the end of the day. Simple pleasures.

Spoons also has a fair go at supporting CAMRA’s ‘Mild in May’ promotion whereas far too many of CAMRAs own beer festivals ignore mild.