The Last Plantagenet (JD Wetherspoon), Leicester

I visited this rather bland city centre Wetherspoons wondering whether I was in for the sort of disastrous experience that befell Quinno in his review below, so it was something of an odd anticlimax to find a perfectly functional branch of this familiar chain. You enter into a large carpeted room with lots of regular tables and chairs under walls painted in warm shades and adorned with a great many information boards detailing various aspects of local history. Some central wood panelled pillars break up the entrance space a little before the servery appears down the right hand side with rows of high tables and stools opposite. Further in, there is a raised bare boarded seating area to the left with a curved partitioning rail dividing it from the rest of the room. Beyond is a darker rear section with banquettes to the left and padded bench booths to the right under a quite pleasant stained glass ceiling feature. Several TV screens throughout the pub were showing muted Sky Sports News and a soundtrack was supplied by a group of Japanese students who were playing music on their phones in the front corner of the pub. The whole place has that unmistakable Wetherspoons feel to it and manages to be instantly recognisable and yet utterly featureless at the same time. There were six guest ales and six ‘Spoons regulars (three different beers doubled up) on the bar plus one cider. I ordered a pint of the Milestone Azaca Gold, but this spluttered its last as it was being poured, so I had a rethink and went for the Milestone Classic Dark Mild instead, which was a very nice pint for £2.25. In sharp contrast to Quinno’s experience, the staff were friendly, helpful and remarkably efficient. Every city seems to have a ‘Spoons that is content to just plod along without really excelling at anything and this is most certainly Leicester’s version. The High Cross is the nicer of the central Wetherspoons, but this place was inoffensive enough to merit an occasional flying visit.

This is possibly the largest of the three city Spoons and thankfully was an improvement on the dross ones out in the Leicester suburbs. It's a long narrow room with typical furnishings although I did spot the odd armchair. The bar has three sets of five hand pumps which had some reasonable options but could have been better. Four were available soon, then there was the JDW Trio Of Doom with the GK Beers doubled, London Pride, the Everard's International Defender, Marston's Old Empire, a cider, Milestone Shine On and Grainstore 1050. I went for the 1050 (£2.40) which was in great condition. I didn't have any real problems with this one, the beer choice could have been better but at least there was something worth drinking and it seemed to be run OK.

We've walked past here on our last two visits to Leicester, so this time we decided to give it a go. The pub had a varied selection of guest ales, so decided to try the Wood Farm Victorious which was pleasant enough. A decent enough pit stop, when heading to or from the station.

A completely different experience for me on my Thursday night visit compared to the old reviews below. A fairly standard JDW with a raised seating area to the left. Several guest ales on the bar alongside the JDW regulars. I had a pint of Medieval Last Plantagenet which was originally brewed for the pub, although I've had pints of it elsewhere recently. It was in very good nick. The service was swift, friendly & efficient and I got talking to one of the barstaff about Leicester pubs in general. I also got chatting to another couple of guys who were in Leicester for the rugby and had only recently been converted to real ale, so they were asking my advice. They then bought me a pint as a thank you. So friendly customers and staff, well kept ale, good service. No problems with this pub for me. I'll call back next time I'm in Leicester.