The Postal Order (JD Wetherspoon), Worcester

Housed in a former Telephone Exchange,this is a bog standard 'spoons with a large open plan interior and a seperate seating section through to the left hand side.The two ranks of six handpumps included the usual regulars,cider and some interesting guests which is maybe why it features regularly in the GBG.My Popes Brewing Absent Friends was decent enough but the rather faceless interior wouldnt attract a further visit from me given the excellent real ale options close by.

Very crowded when we called yesterday, but not a bad selection of beers. One of the better ones in this chain and is in the 2014 Good Beer Guide. Had Battledown Natural Selection and Popes Brewing Co Worcester Gold, both in good condition.

A large and somewhat uninspiring 1950s looking undressed brick Spoons' corner pub and eatery. Housed in a former telephone exchange, it has a patio area at the back and large 'rounded windows' in true Play School style. The interior has a large L-shaped room with a library room side area. The decor is a mix of chocolete brown, a greeny/grey colour at the front and wood panel, with a white ceiling and a patterned carpet. The place is, as we all know, set up for food, but we didn't eat so can't comment on that. There are old photos on the wall, along with a history panel or two and there are the usual silent TVs with sub-titles and there was no music. The service was really good, led by a big chap who looked like the 'team leader', and he clearly had some interest in the beer. The usual mix of clientele were seated, or haunting the bar. Beer; the usual tap stuff with Ruddles and Abbot on handpull. Of the several other real ales on, there was Three Tuns 1642, Elgood's Black Dog MILD and Sadler's Magic Miles MILD - the Elgoods was OK. I have been in worse Spoons than this. I would pop back, but Spoons in general do not excite me.

I must admit to being quietly impressed by this slightly imposing street corner ‘spoons, housed in an attractive brick building, which was a telephone exchange in a previous life. Essentially, it’s a large L-shape with the addition of a small alcove opposite the bar. Even allowing for the fact it was fairly quiet when I called, it still had a spacious and open feel, undoubtedly helped by the high ceiling. Dark wooden panels, a lovely solid old bar and some decent fittings made it feel quite grand in a hotel / club-like sort of way. The muted colour scheme of browns and greys only added to that, as did the tall round-topped windows. As my visit coincided with the autumn beer festival, I was pleased to see that they had six of the listed beers on the go at any one time, unlike some other JDW venues. Quality was actually pretty good, but with my usual caveat of the temperature being too cold. I found the bar-staff to be polite and on the ball, with one barman in particular very chatty and friendly, obviously a beer fan himself. (Mind you, if you can’t be bothered to make an effort with the punters at 6pm, on a Monday, when can you?) Although almost certainly not typical, there was a mature, restrained crowd of drinkers on my visit, giving the place a pleasant early evening buzz. I wouldn’t claim to have huge experience of JDW venues, but of those I’ve visited I thought this was one of their better efforts.

JDW near to Foregate station, usual 'spoons layout, furnishings and beer range, Abbot, Ruddles and a selection of locals. One of those with panels showing historical information of local interest. Usual mix of punters in search of value for money but not too many low rent or smokers on the door. Short staffed but not very busy even though an England world cup game was on, there were no bouncers unlike most other Worcester city centre pubs. There is a useful alcove to one side.