The Sir Michael Balcon (JD Wetherspoon), Ealing Broadway, W5

A very small Spoons on one level located near to Ealing Broadway Station. Somehow the toilets still manage to be upstairs. OK just to tick the Spoons off but not much to recommend.

Named after the legendary film producer (The Ladykillers, The Lavender Hill Mob etc.). An odd Spoons, with a strange quasi-extension/awning covering/obscuring the entrance. Interior feels like a pub inside, small and tight with a few areas, powder puff blue as the colour of choice; the conversion was in 2008 but I think a makeover has happened since then. Four guests, my Maxim Slovenian was in good nick (NBSS 3). In a nod to the locale there's a bit of art featuring a hijab wearing lady. Absolutely rammed and I was lucky to grab the last spare table, which gives you an idea of its footfall. Quite nice and jolly and one of the empire's better efforts.

This reasonably compact Wetherspoons pub has an unusual exterior thanks to an awning that wouldn’t look out of place above the entrance to a large shopping centre. This ample covering means those wishing to drink or smoke in the pavement seating area in front of the pub, can do so in relative comfort, whatever the weather. Inside, the pub is split into two narrow, but deep halves from front to back, thanks to a long partitioning wall that is suggestive of two former shop units being converted into a single pub. The front of the pub is fully dedicated to seating, with plenty of high tables and stools to the left and some comfier chairs and banquettes to the right. The walls are a mix of smart panels, dull wallpaper and neutral shades of paint, which although a little uninspiring, does at least give the place a proper pub-like feel, whilst large mirrors help give the impression of a larger overall area. The servery is in the rear part of the room, over to the left and has a dark wood counter and rather boring bar back which has been enlivened somewhat by a small mirror set in an overly elaborate frame. There’s very little in the way of seating here, with just a few tables in a small space beyond the bar, under an interesting painting of a scene from a cricket match which dominates this part of the pub. Instead, the remainder of the seating can be found to the rear right, on a raised platform crowded with tables and chairs under more wood panelling, mirrors and ‘Spoons information boards. I noted three ‘Spoons regular ales on the bar alongside four guests, although all four of these were rather uninspired mainstream choices such as Ringwood Old Thumper and Sambrooks Wandle. I ended up with a pint of Hog’s Back TEA which was okay and served up by a barman who displayed the rare Wetherspoon trait of being both quick and friendly. I found this place to be a very workaday branch of Wetherspoons with few defining characteristics and a pedestrian ale selection by the chain’s own standards. Plus points for good service and a few nice, comfy seating areas balance things up a bit but I’m not sure I’d make a special effort to tick this one off.

This is a relatively new (2008) Spoons and was probably the best of the three West London ones I visited today. It's not that large compared to some and has just eight pumps. I went for the Marston's Old Empire which was in good nick at £2.60. This is GBG listed and is invading Fuller's territory head on. I did a tour of the Fuller's estate some twenty years ago and recall that their beer quality in some parts of West London was pretty poor. The nearby Red Lion was a notable exception. To me the worst aspect of this pub are the toilets which are at the top of a ridiculously small staircase. I thought this sort of arrangement was something only found in older Spoons, but apparently not!

It,s a Wetherspoon pub. What can you say but it does seem to have better than average guest ales and always in good condition.