The Cuthbert Brodrick (JD Wetherspoon), Leeds

Took one look at the three queues that had been formed at the bar and walked out

Built as part of the Millennium Square development, this JDW is a large two-floor affair though it’s got an oddly shallow floor space, depth-wise. A bit of effort has been expended on the interior décor, with a very impressive collage frieze curving round the top of the bar area. The rest of it is not too dissimilar to the usual modern Spoons furnishings and touches. The gigantic plate glass frontage allows a lot of natural light to flood in and affords a good view if you pick the right table. The pub also seems to have seating rights over a large patio area outside which I imagine would make a for a very pleasant al fresco pint (it was, inevitably, raining on my August afternoon visit). Beer-wise there was plenty of choice and my Old Mill Yorkshire Porter was in excellent shape. The communal toilet wash area is either a great innovation or an awkward piece of social engineering, depending on your viewpoint. Based on my one short visit I’d cautiously recommend this one.

A relatively civilized Wetherspoons, although we were there on a Sunday afternoon rather than a Leeds Saturday night. A new build on two floors, the main bar is downstairs with a straight counter along the back wall and the usual JDW type furnishing down the middle and edges. Upstairs is a mezzanine floor with seating at tables, there is a sort of bookcase affair halfway along but otherwise the décor is unremarkable. At the front is a patio area and the front wall is largely glass. Toilets in a basement but with strange communal washing facilities. Usual 'spoons beer line up of Abbott, Ruddles and guests on three banks of pulls interspersed with T bars of national keg brands. The beer quality and service were both very good.