The Robert Shaw (JD Wetherspoon), Bolton

A very well run JDW. Fairly small compared to many, but the bar staff were efficient and friendly. Tables were being cleared quickly and there was no queuing at the bar even though it was quite busy on a Friday afternoon. All the handpumps had beer on them, I went for an Oakham Citra which was in very good nick. I liked it in here and would call in regularly if I lived in the area.

The Robert Shaw is a long Wetherspoons with a bar counter that runs up the left-hand wall whilst facing some high tables and then curved booths that back onto the raised seating that runs up the right-hand side. Some more booths run across the rear of this raised area and at the very rear is an open plan overspill / dining area that is faced by the kitchen hatch. Out the back is a patio area with seating, some of which is covered by a jumbrella. Standard and premium keg were available from the bar that also supports ten hand pumps. Available cask was Brightside Brewing’s Odin and B-side, Elgood’s Brewery’s Patron Saint, Bank Top’s Flat Cap, Wychwood’s Hobgoblin, GK Abbot Ale, Shepherd Neame’s Spitfire and Moorhouses’ Blonde Witch. The pub was very busy, but the bar staff were all on the ball and very friendly, in fact the other customers at the bar were also very friendly. The building itself is quite forgettable, but I enjoyed my stay so would pop back in if passing.

Visited on Saturday afternoon, when it was pretty busy. Two banks of five hand pulls at the bar, two of which were off, amongst the remaining was Moorhouse's Pride of Pendle, Moorhouse's Blonde Witch, Bank Top Flat Cap, Brightside Manchester Skyline and Ruddles. Guest ales priced at £1.99 with Ruddles cheaper at £1.69. A shame there wasn't a bit more variety in the beer styles available, with bitters and golden ales dominating, but my Flat Cap was perfectly fine. The pub has an outdoor seating area to the rear, a few booths inside with the rest of the seating consisting of standard tables and chairs. Toilets are upstairs in what is basically a mezzanine level with four further tables in this space. There was a fire going downstairs, which had a helpful sign next to it warning that it may be hot.