The Old Chapel (JD Wetherspoon), Darwen

2014 opener, converted from a Methodist chapel, sat in a commanding position overlooking the town square. Large place over two tiers with a huge central staircase and with some art on display in the old choral area upstairs. Nicely decorated in turquoise and gold throughout. Five guest ales, my Bank Top Bad To The Bone was decent (NBSS 3). After a hefty day previously I perhaps didn't quite appreciate it as much as I should have done!

This is a newer JDW dating from early 2014 that is a conversion of an old church building. These conversions are rarer than some and generally make quite interesting pubs, this being no exception. The only downside is that the sound tends to echo. It was doing a good trade of mostly food on my Tuesday afternoon visit. There was scaffolding on the left and right outside walls. The bar is on the right and most of the pub is taken up by the ground floor with a high ceiling and just a small upstairs area that looked empty on my visit. The fixtures and fittings are better than average. Although there are twelve hand pumps the beer choice wasn't that great with one available soon, the JDW Trio Of Doom with Abbot doubled, two ciders, Hobgoblin, Moorhouse Pendle Witches Brew, Oakham JHB, a house beer by Moorhouse and Everard's Tiger. I went for the Witches Brew (£2.29) which was in good nick. Despite the average beer choice I thought this one was a decent Spoons.