The Linford Arms (JD Wetherspoon), Cannock

Although this is a shop conversion it's a much older and less dull building than the usual terraced shop. The building had various uses before becoming a shop. It's not a huge space but has two storeys with the upstairs area providing extra seating. The downstairs level has a low ceiling with some old beams visible and is divided into different areas. The bar has two sets of five hand pumps with the two GK beers doubled up, Doom Bore and five festival ales. I went for the Otter Fusion (£2.35) which was in good nick and I had as part of the Steak Club mixed grill. The four steaks for this are better described as morsels, especially the lamb but minus the price of the beer it costed just £5.40. I thought this was a decent Spoons, better than many.

A Nice Wetherspoons with cheap beer and cheap & nasty food! You pay for what you get, and this is a good place to start off the evening but can get a bit rough later on!

One of the pubs I used to frequent most often when I lived in the area, it used to be ironmongers before it was a pub and still has some details to attest to that fact. The beers are an excellent selection of real ales (I am no Ale connoisseur however), the usual brands of lagers with however some international imported one's and the same goes for the spirits and ciders available. Clientele is very rarely the 'chav/chavette' but tends to be the working class man in his 40's just come to the pub after work, this is however by no means the absolute as there is also different types of people here. The treatment you receive depends upon the time of day you visit, if you visit in the morning you will of course find the alcoholics and benefit scroungers, going into the afternoon it is often frequented by families who wish to partake of the dining facilities there of which it should be noted there is a wide selection of foods, in the evening it is the working men going there after work and at the late night there may be a nightclub reveller wishing to get a cheap drink but without music facilities here they will soon leave. The smoking area is no longer heated and is only covered by a few unbrella's if you are in the front or some plastic sheeting if you are using the back smoking area. Staff however tend to very choosy in who they serve first (Often that would be me, which I do not mind but could be unfair to everyone else...perhaps) and of whom they will enter into a conversation into. Overall a decent pub worth many a visit.

Contrary to review below this pub is not a typical Wetherspoons, which for me is a large open plan pub with rows of square tables. This is actually one of the best examples and unusual for them, small areas, including a library/study with arm chairs, just watch out for Professor Plum with his candlestick. Have a sit upstairs, put your feet up and watch the world, well, Cannock, go by. Yes, it is in the middle of this small market town, so Thursday/Friday/Saturday nights are best avoided, when its busy with chavs after a cheap pint (the curse of Wetherspoons) more of a Miss Scarlet night, unless thats your bag. Good beer, usually a local Beowolf on.

Rather garishly painted former town house of the Linford family, with a brick facade. The pub refit still allows a glimpse here and there of older timbers that form part of the structure. Clean, with friendly service Usual kind of Weatherspoons, with several real ales on, but lacks something in its overall atmosphere. I had the Roosters, which was fine. Fine during the day, but as its on the High St, the gregarious sub-species known as the 'chav/chavette' will water here while looking for a potential mate, or to display their bling.

Official page of The Linford Arms - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Official page of The Linford Arms - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk