The Giant Bellflower (JD Wetherspoon), Selby

Long thin spoons shop conversion, a bit away from the throbbing heart of Selby but then Selby's a small place. Low tables and chairs at front with ensconced tea and coffee drinking old biddys, tall tables and chairs opposite the counter, mostly occupied by an old bloke reading a book (coffee) middle aged house hunting / car insurance quote hunting lady using the wi-fi ( small lager) and more low tables and chairs beyond. Standard spoons set up of five plus five pulls with T-bars flanking and separating, the unholy trinity and the Old Rosie are on the first lot you see so rule 1 applies, look at ALL the pumps before ordering. They took my beard voucher without checking my membership card which seems to be the default position for now.

It's an odd 'spoons The Giant Belle̶n̶d̶Flower which has seemingly had a fair amount of effort and design put into the interior. It's all been done in a nautical New England style with light, pastel colours, rustic, grey, wood walls and something of a shipping theme. The problem is that it's clearly all built down to a budget and feels very cheap and, whilst the Ouse is nearby, this is Selby, not Whitby. It is though popular, as with so many 'spoons, attracting those seeking value across the age ranges. The staff are efficient and friendly as well which is a bonus and, as ever, prices are low with two pints of decent guest beer coming in at £4.30 before vouchers. The attraction to the good people of Selby is clear. Beers on were the usual rot: Ruddles Best, Doom Bar and Abbot alongside four guests - Acorn Barnsley Gold, Bosuns King Neptune, Daleside Old Legover and Isaac Poad No 84 IPA which was very good and saved the visit. You probably wouldn't bother with this anywhere else but in Selby it is something of a must visit.

On a hot evening the bifold doors were all open ,and the usual 'spoons detritus was spilling out in the street.It's popular with the value drinkers and has clearly sucked the life out of a few of the more traditional pubs in town.The interior is unexciting and the pine coloured laminate tables may be hard wearing and easy to clean but gave a very downmarket feel.The concrete faced bar with metal studs was interesting but clashed with the nautical theme ,which itself doesn't really reflect the commercial craft that have plied the nearby Ouse for centuries. Above the bar,the ceiling has been raised up to glass vents,which gives good light to the rear part of the building.The two sets of five handpumps had the trio of doom,Abbott,Ruddles Best and Doom Bar doubled up leaving only 4 guests on my trip Acorn Barnsley Gold,Daleside Old Legover,Bosuns King Neptune and a very decent Isaac Pond no.84 IPA which saved the visit. It's a non descript 'spoons but with a dearth of real ale options in town,it will get a revisit in the hope that at least one guest will be drinkable.

Unexciting exterior but a nice modern-type 'Spoons inside and a pleasant, well-run feel. Some interesting local ales on offer and seemed in good condition.