The Lighthouse, Tamworth

This former electricity showroom (and Chicago Rock Cafe) retains quite an impressive art deco exterior, including a distinctive clock tower. Inside, the dark decor gives the place a rather gloomy appearance as soon as you get away from the front windows. There are two banks of five handpumps, but as they are on opposite sides of the central island bar the full choice of real ales isn't immediately apparent (and this isn't helped with one being off, two 'available soon' and the Ruddles being doubled-up). However, my pint of the local Dragon Smoke Stout from Beowolf Brewery (£1.90) was first class.

Our first visit to a Wetherspoons in Tamworth, ( w/e April 17th )the decor is restful and the boards of local history interesting,we came in again on Saturday before nine and it was pretty busy, the Real Ale Festival was on and they had a good selection on the bar, with the 1/3 pints sampling as in all Wetherspoons bars. We didn't eat at this one so can't comment on the food. Later in the same evening, we came back and found they were charging two pounds entry as there was a DJ, we didn't go in as we only wanted one last half!

Actually opened on 17th Sept (sneak preview) Dominated by theme of Black and Cream throughtout pub giving feel of Art Deco. 3 televisions (usually music video but Sky news and Sky sports do appear) Gets packed on Fri and Sat nights. Ideally placed by major Bus station for tired shoppers for drink and food.

This is a Lloyds No1 Bar (J D Wetherspoon) which opened on 18 September 2009