The William Rufus (Lloyds No. 1), Carlisle

The only good thing about this Spoons compared to the other one nearby is that the beer prices are cheaper. It's got a more modern decor but it's a Lloyds with a lighting rig which points to it transforming itself into Hell on Earth after about 21:00. To make things worse it also has TV screens which provide revenue to that pariah Rupert Murdoch. Soon after sitting down here somebody decided it would be a good idea to lower a big screen and show that bloke from Countdown and others blathering on about football. The good news was that the sound wasn't turned up but the bad news was that seconds later loud music started playing. The bar has eight hand pumps but little choice, the two GK beers and Doom Bore, a cider, Deuchar's IPA and saving the day Cumberland Corby Blonde which I had just tried in the other Spoons. I went for that (£1.99) and it was as good as in the one down the road. Now I've been here and seen what it's like I won't darken it's doors again.