The Forum (JD Wetherspoon), Hexham

One of those spoons converted from a cinema it’s long and thin comprising three areas. Entering from the Market Place is a seating area with tables and chairs, then a wider area with the counter to the right, booths to the left and tall seating between. At the far end is a lower seating area with tables and chairs so all very standard spoons apart from the rear view across the Tyne Valley. The toilets and a dart board are in this lower area too. Usual beer arrangements of two groups of five pulls interspersed with T-Bars of various configurations. There’s also a fridge of craft cans at the end of the counter. The carpet is in a deco pattern to fit in with the age of the building, other design features and artworks also reflect this especially in the lower area.

Old cinema and a tidy JDW conversion with some Art Deco stylings – the entry level area is very nice and the lower level has a lovely sunblast window. Sadly there’s a lot of wear and tear and a bit of grubbiness that needs addressing. Astonishingly just the one guest ale which pulled murk and I got it taken off. Made do with a fair Abbot as the replacement (NBSS 3). Feels like slack management here – this should be a premier Spoons.