The High Main (JD Wetherspoon), Newcastle Upon Tyne

Despite being in a pretty depressed (and depressing) high street, this is a quite pleasant Spoons in a long, narrow building with an interesting roof over the bar. The decor is fairly modern, with a nod to the historic features, while a very long way down the back is an outdoor drinking area. There were three guest ales on handpump (plus the usual), as well as a monthly brewery tap takeover being advertised. Happy to return.

A respectable Spoons this one with good service at the bar from a jovial bunch of staff. The manageress told me this pub has been a former furniture shop and Antique Emporium. Two banks of five pumps serving the usual suspects, plus two from Hadrian and Border and Allendale Golden Plover. Good prices £2 a pint for the Hadrian and Allendale.

Usually I describe Spoons as long and narrow and this one is the champion (ho ho – Geordie joke, yeah?) as it seemingly goes back half a mile. A more recent JDW, this place has curved vaulted ceiling above the bar, original wrought iron pillars along the length of the room and a jumbo mosaic wall pic (derived from an old black and white photo) are interior highlights. Unusually for Spoons there are four long carved wood table benches in the middle of the pub. Only three guest ales on, my half of Sonnet Impressment was fine. A fairly relaxed crowd (there’s a ‘no trackkies or pj’ rule in place, which gives you an idea of some of the potential local clientele). A fair stop, Spoons-wise.