The Butter Cross (JD Wetherspoon), Nottingham

Housed in a bold 1960s building previously known as The Crown, which was itself built on the site of two earlier, smaller pubs. The interior is lighter than I expected, feeling during my late morning visit more like a café / bar, and thus slightly different to most 'spoons. It was also good to see all six handpumps in use, offering GK Ruby Abbot (a new one on me), Newby Wyke Bear Island and a 'house' beer from Nottingham Brewery (£2.15).

The Butter Cross looks out over Bingham's market square and the landmark it is named after. It is a fairly modern branch of Wetherspoon's. Unlike others I have been in of late, table service was prompt and friendly, with no problems experienced when attempting to order using CAMRA vouchers. The usual Wetherspoon's ales of Greene King Abbot, Ruddles Best & Sharp's Doom Bar were on in addition to a guest ale, which was Brain's The Rev James. The 2 real ciders were Black Dragon & Old Rosie. We ordered a breakfast, which was also quick to be served.

Typical JDW in a busy market square where we enjoyed the breakfast but a poor beer choice for JDW and the house beer Butter Cross from Nottingham brewery was very weak and tasteless.

I was surprised to learn that this was originally a pub as I thought when approaching it looked like a former public library or some other local government building. Inside it's a long open plan room with the bar on the immediate right then small rooms for eating either side before reaching the rear area that overlooks an enclosed paved patio with some further tables and chairs across a pathway. The bar has ten hand pumps which had two unused, Doom Bore, GK Abbot, a house Nottingham Butter Cross doubled up, one available soon, Adnam's Ghost Ship, a cider and Lincoln Green Hood. They also had a few festival ciders still on but I went for the Gwynt Y Ddraig Black Dragon one (£2.85). I thought this was quite a decent Spoons but let down by an average beer choice.