The Postal Order (JD Wetherspoon), Blackburn

A long thin spoons in a splendid deco building, a long long counter runs down the back wall, booth seating all down the opposite front wall and low tables in a row down the middle with a row of high ones between there and the counter, it has a raised area at one end and a cluster of machines at the other. An odd pump layout of 6+6 with three more in the middle serving the unholy trinity, the outer groups have the three plus a better choice, Wilde Child from the light side (Leeds) for me today, which was ok. Usual T-bars and solos in between the pulls. Geometric carpet for ‘spoons carpet collectors, tartan upholstery in the booths. A couple of secluded areas at one end, the toilets are upstairs of course. A serviceable spoons especially in a beer desert like Blackburn.

This is a pretty big Spoons, in the old style with the dark blue and gold signage and lots of dark varnished wood inside. Three banks of hand pumps at the bar. Two of the banks have six pumps and these are at each end of the bar. In the centre is a bank of three, offering the usual Spoons trio. The right hand bank had the Spoons trio duplicated, plus Deuchars IPA, Polar Eclipse by Beartown and DB Point Blanc. The left hand bank has two ciders (one was a Thatchers 6%, the other a Rhubarb one) and four guest ales not duplicated from the other banks. Full of a mix of drinkers and diners at around 11am today (Friday). I was surprised how full it was really. I've been in the afternoon before now and it has been quieter! Fairly nice old building in itself, possibly a bit tired on the inside, but good to see a decent real ale selection. My Polar Eclipse was a rather pleasant stout and only set me back £1.95 or £1.99.