The Observatory (JD Wetherspoon), Ilkeston

A modern glass fronted building with the counter down the left side usual 6+6 handpumps topped and tailed with T-bars and solos, the unholy trinity are at the far end plus the Ruddles repeated on the nearer set, all festival beers otherwise as it’s that time of year. Trainman’s twin brother passed me with a tray of halves of all of the festival beers. Floored with slabs around bar and a leafy carpet elsewhere. All on one level apart from extra seating on the upstairs floor, even the toilets are downstairs at the back, there is also an outdoor drinking area to the right. Very busy on a Friday lunchtime, it isn’t that big for a spoons. Some local history and other panels plus a couple of walls of space inspired pictures as décor and of course there are the usual screens and machines. Fairly standard although the staff were very much on the ball

I thought this pub was a bit of an eyesore on approach, thanks to its massive glass facade, but once inside it turns out to be quite a nice example of a modern Wetherspoons. The servery runs down the left-hand wall of a partly carpeted, partly tile stone floored room, and has a simple counter and bar back enhanced by some nice brass pot shelves. High tables and stools fill the open area to the front, standard tables and chairs emerge further back and banquettes trace the right-hand wall, broken only by a doorway leading out to a depressing looking side patio garden. TV screens could be seen dotted throughout the pub but they were all turned off during my mid-morning visit, so none of the usual rolling 24 hour news channels to be seen. Walls are generally painted in plain colours with a few old photos and local history boards to break up the monotony. Perhaps the pub’s most striking feature is a huge telescope sculpture standing high up at one end of the bar, in honour of John Flamstead - a local man who became the first Astronomer Royal at the Royal Greenwich Observatory. Stairs lead up to a first floor level which I didn’t explore, but presumably has overspill seating and some good views out over the market square and church. I was here early in the day for a bit of breakfast and swerved the ales, but noted the usual three ‘Spoons regulars supplemented by four guest ales. My breakfast was the usual heat-it-up affair, but tasted fine and arrived nice and promptly courtesy of one of the friendly members of staff who were notably working hard to keep the pub clean and tidy. I didn’t have very high expectations for this place, but came away thinking it was a pretty good modern ‘Spoons with a bright, airy interior, very friendly staff and a few interesting ales to sample. A good start to my time in Ilkeston and I’d be happy to call again to give the beer a try.

As noted, this is a fairly ugly looking place. Inside isn't much better with a small (for a Wethers) single long room. There is an upstairs bit that I never visited. The toilets being on the ground floor and not up the stairs was a surprise. 2 banks of 6 handpulls. The round porthole-like windows at the side gave it the look of a bar on a ship.

Horrible looking place but as I drink inside that didn't put me off much. Standard type Spoons with the bar to the left. Usual selection of ales and a plus point - the toilets are on the ground floor.

I don't normally bother with a 'Spoons, but after the disappointment of the Market Inn, I thought we might as well give it a try. There are two banks of six hand pumps, with the usual JDW regulars plus three guests. Unfortunately, my half of local Littleover Panther Oatmeal Stout, which started with an overwhelming taste of coffee grounds, finished with a sour tang that told me it had gone off. It was changed for another beer rapidly enough, but of course with this being a 'Spoons the pump clip was not turned around, which is annoying from a customer service standpoint. I can't remember if I've ever really enjoyed having a drink in one of these establishments - the best moment here was when a local man stopped us as we left, having correctly deduced that we were on a pub crawl and said we really must go to the Burnt Pig - that's funny, we said, that's the next pub on our list.