Chiltern Taps, High Wycombe Central, High Wycombe

Appears fairly small for a shop-conversion 'spoons, albeit with a little more seating in several different areas than initially obvious. However, there is also a second bar upstairs of equal size and some metal tables out on the front patio. Usual dark wood furniture inside, although the decor is a bit more modern than some. Just five handpumps on the main counter, with Doom Bar, two 'international' brews and Abbot (all a bit stronger than I was looking for) and the local-ish Vale Wychert (£2.35).

This is one of the 20 leasehold Spoons earmarked for closure but I have yet to see or hear of any sign of them shutting down. Although it was previously a Hogshead pub I would be surprised if it was originally built as one. Inside it's a smallish room with the bar at the rear and a raised area off to the left. There is an upstairs area that I didn't bother to visit. The whole place seemed rather dark and gloomy and wasn't that busy on my Friday lunchtime visit. The ale selection on the downstairs bar was pretty poor consisting of GK IPA, Abbot & Ruddles, Windsor & Eton Windsor Knot and Loddon Hullabaloo. I went for the Windsor Knot (£2.30) which was reasonably OK but hazy and somewhat cold. This is one doomed Spoons that I won't miss as I found the nearby Falcon to be a lot better. They've chosen the correct one to close.