A lot of really bad things happen in this world, especially
now. People's cities get destroyed in war, fake photos fool the masses, ships
crash and bridges collapse. But sometimes something good happens and when it
happens in the midst of all that depravity, it takes on extra importance and sentiment.
As I've said many times, one of my favourite institutions is JD Wetherspoon.
This franchise of freehouses is one of the few decent and noble things left in
this unhappy land. In the background link I relate some bad news about 'Spoons,
but now I can tell you some good news. The chain has reported an eightfold
increase in profit since March last year. This is despite them going ahead with
the aforementioned closures. Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68636250.
This is a very healthy sign. Not only has the service economy recovered
generally since the Covid pandemic, but that recovery has centred on something
that has a tradition in honesty, freedom and integrity. This more than anything
else has cheered me up and given me hope.
See here for background: https://hpanwo-voice.blogspot.com/2022/11/wetherspoons-downsizes.html.
See here for background: https://hpanwo-voice.blogspot.com/2022/11/wetherspoons-downsizes.html.
4 comments:
Things must be bleak if this is 'good news. Chain pubs like 'Spoons' imho are all that is inherently wrong with British pubs for some time.
The 'magnolia paint of pubs' circa early 2000's décor blandness with a business model that incorporates 'falling between chairs' of not good enough to be a pub that is considered a 'local' by the customers due to piss poor beer selection in a country with an absolute wealth of brewing borders on scandalous in the pursuit of profit by the owner and restaurant that despite the previously low prices seems to think microwaved food passes as 'wholesome British cuisine' (just don't tell Tim where curry originated).
I won't mention the atmosphere in them but an average of 1 rating on Trust pilot says it all tbh. Don't get me wrong with over 900 pubs some are well worth a visit despite all the barriers in the way of making it a success story due in no small part to some dedicated staff. Such a shame 95% of them are absolute holes I would be embarrassed to take anyone in for a pint.
CAMRA reports the pubs closing daily still at high levels so the service industry really has some way off recovery and in actuality probably never will for other factors including Weatherspoon's.
Well I have a far higher opinion of the 'Spoons than you do. They have a really nice atmosphere I find. And it's not just the pubs themselves, it is their ethos and charter. Have you read their in-house magazine? It's like reading The Light.
Totally agree Ben.
Spoons are the future 2 be fair mate. I've never liked small old fashioned pubs and bigger estatablishments offer moor privacy I would say. You can sit away from people and eat in piece. The beer is much better than people credit them with and who can argue on price?
In terms of food the cheeseburgers with chips are second to non. Yes Maccies are OK at times but Spoons burgers taste more holesome. Sorry in m bit drunk at the mo Ben mate. No not spoons but bort a couple bottles of wine and drank most of em. Keep up the great work.
Lenny
Thanks, Lenny. Will do. 'Spoons is sometimes old fashioned in style, but they tend to create new pubs by converting other buildings, old shops, banks, theatres etc. The pubs are all independently run, unlike most breweries. Yes, I love their food too. Down the hatch!
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