Parsons' Barn (JD Wetherspoon), Southend-On-Sea

Next to a modern supermarket and shopping complex is this lovely Spoons in an aged (250+ years) GII listed barn though it sounds like it was running as a pub prior to Timbo getting his paws on it in 2014. So there's plenty of wood and a vaulted roof along with an impressive central brick chimney. Lots of areas to sit including a mezzanine which, if you can bag a seat at the glass fronted end, gives you a full-view experience. There’s also plenty of grassed garden outside. Only one guest ale though and a fairly dull one at that (Robinson’s Trooper), I've seen more in their airport outlets. It was in decent nick, at least (NBSS 3). Kitchen in a state, my American Breakfast had two things missing. With a bit of time to kill before my bus to Southend I’d thought I’d try one of their craft cans – however the can availability on the app was completely fictitious, to the extent that what it did have was not even listed. A shame that the management of this place is so poor, as it’s a really tidy place to have a drink otherwise. 5.5

Official site of Parsons' Barn (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Official site of Parsons' Barn (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Much extended old building, but quite an attractive semi-modern interior comprising a rectangular bar with a partial mezzanine above. Wooden benches available outside for the better weather. A total of seven real ales were available from two banks of five handpumps, of which the Nick Stafford / Hambleton Nightmare (£2.15) was the pick of the bunch.