The Myrtle Grove (JD Wetherspoon), Bingley

bijou and compact Wetherspoons opposite the now boarded up and disused Bradford and Bingley Building Society HQ. A standard sort of spoons, tall tables to one side, a raised family area to the other, a bigger than usual collection of bandits in the middle. The curved counter is in the back corner and some booths form one side wall. The front wall is all French doors which are blocked off from the pavement by railings. Decor is fairly minimal with a couple of Rothko like pictures and some prints and photos of old Bingley. There are two sets of five pulls bracketed by T bars with the usual mix of beers, the quality of which is pretty good. The staff, when you see them, are pretty good and overall as spoons go this is quite a good one.

Modern Spoons housed in a shop conversion of some sort. Not one of their better architectural efforts either inside or out, the only feature of note is the attractive curved bar with faux Victoriana steel light fittings hung from the ceiling. Six guest ale pumps with one coming soon. My initial choice of Black and Tan was flat and not clearing but was happily exchanged by an above-average barmaid for JDW (on the skills front, anyway). The replacement was in fair shape. The large and bare walled/floored interior meant that noise was uncomfortably amplified into a clattering cacophony. There was a preponderance of fruit machines even by Wetherspoons usual standard. Wrote down ‘quirky bogs’ but I can’t remember what merited note. Given this is quite a new outlet, I do wonder whether it is partly responsible for most of Bingley's other pubs being up for sale or shut? Given what I saw here, that'd be a sad way for them to be taken out.

From the outside The Myrtle Grove appears a little drab and boring,and on entering the mood continues in a similar fashion,although must say the pub was clean and tidy.Called in around 9-30 on a Tuesday morning,and apart from a barmaid preparing some hot drinks at the far end of the room,the bar and surrounding area was void of any customers,with my first thought being RESULT no mandatory 4 minutes wait for service.I gave all the 10 cask beers on display a going over before deciding on a Stout,and after waiting a good couple of minutes,frequented the toilet,came back,where the bar was still empty and the barmaid had vanished into a small room at the left of the bar.Stayed at the bar for another 2 minutes and decided enough was enough,so i made a sharp exit and caught the bus to Shipley.Worth a try if you have got plenty of time on your hands.