The Layton Rakes (JD Wetherspoon), Blackpool

This is a purpose built Lloyds JDW on two floors with a roof terrace that I assume was closed on a January evening. It's been well described below, the ground floor is where the weekend nightmare happens but I could see no evidence of it. The downstairs bar has a set of three and a set of eight hand pumps which had one unused, the JDW Trio Of Doom with the two GK beers doubled up, Hawkshead Gold & Brodie's Prime, Dunscar Blonde & Bitter and Adnam's Make It Rain. This was a good choice for a seaside town in the middle of winter and I went for the Brodie's Prime (£1.99) which was in good nick. I thought this was easily the best of the three remaining Blackpool JDWs. It's GBG 2017 listed.

This Lloyds No 1 bar, conveniently located for the Promenade, North Pier and Blackpool North train station, seemed like the sort of place you'd want to avoid on a weekend, but finding myself in the vicinity, late on a Sunday night, I thought I'd brave it. Thankfully, with the exception of a small group of lads, one of whom had split his trousers in spectacular fashion, the clientele was pretty relaxed and I was able to sup my pint in peace as closing time neared. You enter into a spacious rectangular room, carpeted throughout and fitted with lots of chunky woodblock wall panels. There is plenty of typical Wetherspoons seating throughout and the décor is seaside themed, including a fun banner that runs around the room and a few large images of Blackpool in its heyday. Stairs lead up to a similarly proportioned second bar, which I got a brief look at before being shooed out by a chap cleaning up. There is lots of nice seating up here, including some which are made to look like carousel and waltzer seats. There is also a mural depicting notable local buildings and an illuminated sculpture of popular local entertainer Charlie Cairoli. Follow the stairs up again for an unexpected roof terrace with a mix of garden and soft furnishings, a modern art mural and views of the Tower. The bar has eight handpulls which were pouring five guest ales and one 'Spoons regular with a couple of 'Coming Soon' clips on the others. I tried a pint of the Six Points/Adnams collaboration beer 'Make It Rain', which was served up by one of the cheery bar staff and went down very nicely as my last pint of the day. Having failed to eat earlier in the day, I took advantage of the pub's late food serving times to order a sandwich, which was the usual cheap and cheerful fayre. Wetherspoons spent £2.3 million on this place and to be fair, it does show to an extent. The place has an air of creativity and individuality lacking in many of the chain's pubs, and for that they should be commended. It's a shame that the location means it's likely to be packed out with binge drinkers much of the time, but for this visit, I thought it was a decent enough 'Spoons which merits a look at the right time of day.

Called in had the steak deal it was ok for the price food came very quick and it was very busy. Shaun Wright you have wasted your time getting in touch with them we have done so twice one complaint and we praised them on their pubs that do accommodation which is the best you can get for the price.They never got back to us on both times