The Percy Shaw, Halifax

This one is not a typical Spoons as it is quite small and is part of a modern complex that includes Halifax's cinema there being film related events listed in the bar. As noted below it's an open plan rectangular room which was busy on a Wednesday evening. The clientele were much younger than usual with what looked like after work drinkers and couples on the way to see a film. There was no sign of any daytime brigade despite the guest ciders being cheaply priced at £2.65. I managed to get a seat by the window and spent some time here including having a meal while watching the traffic far below. The bar has ten hand pumps which had the IPA version of the JDW Trio Of Doom, two ciders, Caledonian Thunder Trail, Hawkshead Brodie's Promise, Saltaire Kardinal, Wadworth Fort Session IPA and Exmoor Gold. I went for the Kardinal (£2.35) which was reasonable. This isn't one of the better JDWs but it's not a complete disaster.

Don't agree Rob. Had 3 pints of very nice ales and food was g ood. It is a modern bar but is one of the better ones.

Brand new build JDW in an entertainment complex (Broad Street Plaza). This pub is everything that is wrong with modern build pubs. A large barn, split into 2 by a divider. Totally soulless and full of young families with their kids and 18 year olds all having a pre cinema meal. It was absolutely packed on my Friday evening visit, but to be fair I got served pretty quickly. My pint was in very good nick as well. I have to say I really hated this place. I can't think of a pub I've liked less in the last 12 months except maybe Yates's in Manchester. Any points I've given it are for the staff and the good beer, not the pub.

The Halifax Courier conducted a poll among it's readers for ideas for the new pubs name, and Percy Shaw the inventor of the catseye in the 1930's prooved the most popular.The pub is situated at the newly opened Broad Street Plaza and is entered through a power assisted door. On entry my first thought was i had entered the wrong place as the first thing that catches your eye is a large number of basic chairs and tables (see photo)that would not go amiss in a backstreet cafe,and my thoughts seem to be confirmed as i glanced towards the bar area on the right with no customers there, and 4 BARSTAFF AVAILABLE TO SERVE YOU.After eyeing the place up soon realised it was one of those hideous American Diners,with ugly high chairs and tables and lots of glazed wall tiles. It is a small curved one roomed affair that had 7 casks on with one coming soon, but was devoid altogether of any atmosphere or character with window seating(some of which were plastic bucket seats)overlooking Halifax bus station.The pub was about half full on my Tuesday afternoon visit, with the clientele being made up of around 95% diners to 5% drinkers.On the plus side the barstaff were friendly and the pub bright and clean with the toilets spotless,and although not my favourite by a long chalk,someone else could see it in a different light.