The Moon & Bell (JD Wetherspoon), Loughborough

One of two Wetherspoons outlets in Loughborough, this is a surprisingly compact traditional ‘Spoons with the servery down the left side of the main room and plenty of seating through the partially partitioned space opposite. Some good comfy benches line the left-hand wall whilst basic tables and chairs fill the front part of the room and high tables and stools fill the gaps directly opposite the bar. The servery has a simple tongue and groove counter front and a white painted bar back of minimal interest. The room extends back into a raised seating area with quite a few more tables and chairs, whilst a door to the right leads out to a patio garden with a decent amount of seating and shelter. Décor is the usual ‘Spoons style, including TV screens showing muted news channels and various information boards giving snippets of local history. I popped here for a bite to eat and decided to try their chicken curry, which has to be one of the best I’ve ever had from a ‘Spoons and was terrific value for money as well. On the bar, three regular ales lined up alongside four guests, of which I tried the Branscombe Summa that, which was in pretty good shape. The barman was exceptionally friendly to the point that I thought he might even pay for my pint at one point! This is a fairly unmemorable ‘Spoons, even by the brands’ own standards of producing identikit town centre boozers, but it was elevated somewhat by the excellent service nd food and some decent beer. It’s not going to be anyone’s first port of call on a crawl of Loughborough’s finest pubs, but still merits a visit and is probably marginally the better of the town’s two ‘Spoons.

Standard Wetherspoons though a lot smaller than most I have visited, located in the centre of town. I tried a Pale Rider and an Easy Rider which were pleasant enough. Wasn't too busy for a Spoons, but as it wasn't a bad day I sat in the smallish beer garden to the rear. I'm sure there are probably better options round here.

The Moon & Bell is a Wetherspoons that looked pretty grotty from the outside. Once inside it was not much better. There is a smallish oblong shaped room which runs to the rear,the bar is on the left side,the room is carpeted,there are a few tall tables and chairs to the front and normal tables and chairs elsewhere,the rear area is up steps. I noted seven real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Dark Star Hop Head,which went down well,the other real ales noted were Purity GoldBanks's Park Life,Harvistoune Schellion,Thornbridge Jaipur and Spoons regulars Doom Bar and GK Abbot. I did not take to this Wetherspoons at all. A shame they had one real ale on above 4.5% ABV as i prefer to drink beers below that ABV. Pub visited 1/7/2017

Worst ever selection of real ales I've seen in a Spoons. Nothing above 4.5% ABV. Mind you, there was a marquee in the back with 30 real ales and several of them above 5%, so not all bad.