The Mare Pool (JD Wetherspoon), Sutton Coldfield

This is the same uninspiring, bland and forgettable modern brick build that was formerly occupied by Apres, until it relocated around the corner to the former Flints in Belwell Lane. It is now the Mare Pool, which is the earlier name for Mere Green, and a part of the Spoon's chain. It has a patio area. The interior carries the ghosts of the old Apres, as in, it is modern, with strange sculpturey art (a pair of legs), comfy seating, bistro pictures, arty lamp shades, glass baubles hanging from the ceiling and so forth - indeed, i felt i was sitting in the furnishing department at Harrods. The walls are white and green amongst other colours and one wall has some rough block effect leaving it looking like one of those indoor climbing experiences. I think the most bizarre feature was the fire, which was open and on a metal dish (so it appeared) - i half expected it to be used for indoor BBQ-ing, or pondered if it was a new Spoon's inclusivity initiative, which allows budding soothsayers to burn entrails in order to know when the 'available soon' beers were actually coming on. Anyhow - yes, i hate the decor, but the service was fine and the place quite busy with a mixed clientele, all eating. No TV or music, of course. I didn't eat, so i can't comment on that. Beer; usual tap stuff with the following handpulls; Abbot, Ruddles, Abbot Confession, Maxim Ruby (decent), Sheppy Neame Spooky, Everards Pumpkin Ale, a nice Titanic Cappuccino - as well as 3 US beers. Different to other Spoons, but worth a visit