The John Wallace Linton (JD Wetherspoon), Newport

Run-of-the-mill 'spoons housed in an ugly single-storey building, with very dull interior and a few dismal tables out on the pavement. Packed and noisy when I visited due to international rugby on the TVs. On the plus side, had a reasonable choice of real ales from ten handpumps (including Box Clever Brewer's Blizzard at just £1.99).

Named after a local Naval Officer posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross in 1943, this Wetherspoons is about as ‘Spoons by numbers as the chain gets. The pub is situated in the Cambrian Centre shopping mall which is due to be redeveloped at some point so I’m not sure how this will affect the pubs future. The interior is one large, open plan, characterless, barn with every JDW trademark going. The pros included a good number of local ales among the 10 hand pumps which is great for us outsiders. Service was good despite the place being well populated on an early Saturday evening and I didn’t spot too many undesirables but maybe I was a bit early. Good for everything you expect for ‘Spoons. That’s about it.

A large open plan Wetherspoon located a short walk from the train station.