Sir Isaac Pitman (JD Wetherspoon), Trowbridge

Considering the rather grand exterior of the building the Isaac Pitman is one of the smaller spoons. The most notable feature outside was the large Leasehold For Sale sign. As noted below it's a single open plan room with the bar at the rear and typical old school JDW fixtures and fittings. There was some sort of Xmas do going on outside so it was quite busy. I noticed that the food club prices here were cheaper than average with the Curry Club being just £5.35, maybe they don't like curry in Wiltshire. I got an impression that the staff weren't keeping up with things as lots of tables had empty glasses and plates on them. The bar has just eight hand pumps two of which were obscured so I assumed were not in use. The rest had the JDW Trio Of Doom, a cider, Shepherd Neame Todd the Axeman and Blindman's Icarus. I went for Todd the Axeman which was in reasonable nick. I thought this was a fairly poor Spoons.

Medium-sized 'spoons with a square-ish partly split-level interior of no particular interest which is disappointing given the attractive historic frontage. So-so choice of real ales from the eight handpumps, including the Everard's Nutcracker (£2.20). Badly understaffed when I visited, and very smoky from the kitchen, and understandably both customers and (the few) staff were getting frustrated. Lease up for sale...