The Wild Rose, Bootle

Visited in November 2017. 8 pumps over two banks. Ruddles was on but he others all seemed less typical. Most priced at £1.99 a pint or £1 for a half. Very busy on a weekday lunch time. Still busy after 2pm but some tables became free. Beer in good condition; no complaints.

The Wild Rose is a smaller JDW set at the bottom of a hideous modern block on the edge of a modern shopping centre and bus station. It's a curved room with little depth and on my Wednesday afternoon visit seemed to have mostly drinkers in. Unsurprisingly given the size it only has two sets of four hand pumps. These had one available soon, Ruddles, Doom Bore, Elgood's Greyhound, Caledonian First Dawn, Cameron's Road Crew, Mauldon's Silver Adder and Dunscar Blissful Blonde. I went for the Greyhound (£2.09) which was in good nick. It's not a bad little Spoons but I did visit several better ones on the day.

Slightly more appealing inside than the ugly triangular tower block above would lead one to expect as you approach, and the lighter decor in the various seating areas certainly helps to offset the relative lack of windows. Only eight handpumps, but all were on, and several local beers - including Yeah But Bitter (£2.09) and Dunscar Blonde - were amongst those offered.

A rather uninviting looking Wethers situated under the Strand shopping complex. A single open plan room in typical Wethers style. Its not the largest Wethers you're ever likely to be in so it always looks as if its popular. 8 real ales on today.