The George Hotel (JD Wetherspoon), Hailsham

George Hotel page at the Wetherspoon site - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

George Hotel page at the Wetherspoon site - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Plodding in here to get a cheap beer after getting off the 1A, I wasn’t necessarily expecting much from a town centre Wetherspoons but this one was a pleasant surprise. I gather this place has been open just over a year but even so the standard of interior furnishings and décor was remarkably high, one of the few JDW’s to have some genuine character. The pub has two distinct sections; the front has dark wood panelling, booths and a raised area with some expensive-looking seating. The bar end at the rear has a larger, open effect, enhanced by a skylight. This end leads out onto a pleasant courtyard area where a number of people were enjoying the sunshine. Perhaps a let-down for me was the small guest ale range – only Dark Star Hophead, with the Adnams Bitter unavailable. My Hophead and the Ruddles County drunk by a co-crawlee came out well, no complaints. A couple of ciders also on the go on the pump (one being Mr Whiteheads), slightly unusual for a Spoons who usually only ever have Westons. Service was pretty good too, the staff looked reasonably happy to be there - no attempt to flog me extra nuts or crisps! Perhaps I look cheap. One of the better ‘Spoons experiences, shame about the paucity of guest ales.

This is a large Wetherspoons pub that was very busy with diners early on Saturday afternoon. It is much nicer than the average Spoons as the layout dictates that there is some tucked away seating and the usual characterless open plan format is not adhered to as it is in many JDW pubs. The usual food and drinks promotions are in place and there are ten hand pumps that were drawing an assortment of guest ales alongside the usual Ruddles and Abbot. The Guinness was good, but I did have a bit of a wait at the bar due to people to ordering food and the two bar staff on duty being in no rush to serve as a pretty girl was in situ. When I was served the manager/supervisor tried to flog me some crisps and nuts whilst looking straight through me, no thanks just what I asked for and have been waiting five minutes to receive please. There is some seating in a paved area out the back and there is some more seating along the side of the pub. There is also a disabled toilet and step free access through the front and side doors. Apart from the service I did like it in here and will return when next in the area as I didn’t think that much of this pub’s peers. QI: This pub was first recorded in 1817 when it was owned by the Bear Brewery, Lewes.