Six Gold Martlets (JD Wetherspoon), Burgess Hill

A fairly plain shop-conversion branch of Wetherspoons on the pedestrianised section of the high street, this venue has been fitted out in a functional style. The layout sees a carpeted seating area to the left, with a mix of banquette booths divided by sturdy wooden partitions and standard tables and chairs. To the right, a bare-boarded bar area includes high tables, stools and a dartboard tucked near the entrance. The centrally positioned bar has a wood-slat front, a bare brick bar back and a metal-framed gantry. More exposed brick features on internal pillars, with a few colourful paintings and digital displays helping to break up the otherwise muted decor. A rather oversized fireplace dominates one wall, and there are a couple of skylights overhead. Several TV screens were showing muted early evening programming and the atmosphere was calm and friendly, with a well-behaved early evening crowd.  Three regular ales were double clipped and there were four guests on, although six guest pump clips were displayed and the first two I ordered were not actually pouring, with clips annoyingly left unreversed. I eventually tried something from Firebird, with most guest options coming from local breweries. The beer I had was in decent condition but service was mixed – the barman was rushed and unhelpful regarding the unavailable beers, while a waitress provided much friendlier interaction when my food arrived. I was mildly irritated by the slapdash presentation of their ales - I mean, how difficult is it to turn a pump clip if a beer goes off - but putting that aside, this was a fairly functional 'Spoons with a modest interior, a few pleasant features and a better ambiance than you generally encounter in these pubs. The beer was in good nick too, so I can't be too down on the place, especially as Burgess Hill isn't exactly awash with good pubs. Date of visit: 18th February 2025

Relatively-modern Spoons in a long and wide rectangular room, which feels pretty dark in the middle but has more lighting at the end. Usual range of furnishings and clientele. They have managed to control the acoustics though, with a pleasant background hum of conversation, only spoilt by the occasional squalling infant. Two guest ales, Exmoor Gold and Holderness Dark, alongside the usual brews and in good condition. Fair enough.