Tim Martin and the ‘hospitality industry’

Based upon the pissed up mutants wandering around Shipley mid mornings, covered in egg and tomato sauce from their full English, it would be a profound 'no' from me.

 

That was happening long before a Wetherspoon’s opened.

 

A mate of mine worked in the head office with Tim Martin, he has been very good for the leisure industry and generally treats his his staff well. A lot of stuff written about him is because of his political stance.and not about his successful business ventures.

 

There closing down another 6 Witherspoon's in Yorkshire.

 

Crying shame. Let’s just hope they are taken over by companies with a similar ethos (I believe the Halifax and Shipley ones have been?)

 

I think he’s been fantastic. I personally like the Wetherspoon vibe….you can go in a spoons any time of day and see an eclectic variety of folk, from young people to old dears enjoying a coffee morning. You generally know what you are getting

I went in my first Spoons in the mid 90’s - possibly the Titus Salt behind the Alhambra - and I have never once seen a punch up, it is such a good atmosphere

They also pay very well (which is particularly great for the young workers) and have good career progression opportunities

I went to visit my cousin in Tonbridge at the beginning of the week and went to the Humphrey Bean spoons. £1.99 for a pint of the local Tonbridge Brewery Ale, which was £5.49 a pint in a pub we later went in a few miles away in East Peckham. It is unreal value for money and I do not know how folk can knock it

 

Not sure if you went with the Dolly Boys to the Fleetwood game when we stopped at the Clevleys Wetherspoons it was a lovely day and when the coach pulled up right outside and 52 City fans disembarked the coach some of the looks we got by those sat outside having breakfast were quite comical, the expressions suggesting lets sup up and get out of here no trouble it was a great pre match venue, a quicky in there then a walk down the high street to The Regal for a pint of Tetleys .

 

Nothing wrong with Spoons or the guy who owns it. Martin is an employer of thousands and I know from a guy who worked with him that it's a well run company that treats it's staff well.

 

People get very snobby about 'spoons and I don't get it. Excellent prices, good range of drinks, usually a decent sized place too so you can get a seat. I quite like that they tap into some local history for the name of a place and generally have some info around too. Can't fault them really.

 

No I wasn’t on that trip dave unfortunately, aye I bet it was a sight for the locals lol

 

Definitely. And don’t forget the carpets!

Each pub has a specially designed carpet to compliment the building it represents

 

I didn't know that about the carpet, that's crazy!

 

I think these were already listed for closure and are not 'new' additions.
Me and the wife love a Spoons and now we have the leisure time, spend many days out visiting them.
A really varied mix of pubs from really smart right down to the Bradford level.

 

Another one here who likes Wetherspoons. They’ve recently refurbished the one in Wakefield and done a good job of it, although I’d have preferred it if they had relocated to a better part of the town centre.