The Cordwainer (Lloyds No.1), Northampton

This is a large branch of the Wetherspoons chain, with a modern interior inside what I’d presumed was an older former industrial building, but it turns out the whole place was built from scratch in 2001. On approach, I was greeted by some spectacularly dysfunctional punters, who gave me a taster of some of the characters I’d encounter within, which included the highly efficient, but miserable as sin, bar staff. The pub has the usual spacious ‘Spoons interior across two floors, with the ground floor bar to your right on entering and loads of serating through the remaining space. This includes tables and chairs under the front windows, sadly facing a quiet side street and not affording much in the way of people watching opportunities, high tables and stools opposite the bar, and booths along the left-hand side of the room. To the rear is a patio garden that looked like it could be a bit of a sun trap on a pleasant day. More seating can be found upstairs, where there’s also a second bar and a roof garden, but this first floor room seemed quite noisy and echoey, so wasn’t the peaceful spot many first floor ‘Spoons bars can often be. On the bar, I counted the three regular ‘Spoons ales along with a staggering eleven guests - by far the widest ale range I’ve seen in a ‘Spoons post-pandemic. I opted for a pint of the Oakham Echo, which was okay but not exactly top-quality - maybe they need to thin the guests a little to ensure better turnover. I also grabbed some lunch here, which came promptly and was decent enough, although I did have to endure some very noisy kids who settled on the table next to me with their clueless grandmother. This was a pretty chaotic pub, with lots going on - some good and some bad, but mostly entertaining in some way or another. The wide ale range is probably the main draw here, although getting a quality pint could be a bit of a lottery. Overall, I enjoyed this one, and as my crawl started unravelling later in the day, I popped back again and was pleased to find it still very much a total madhouse.

Standard Spoons affair inside with a bar upstairs and downstairs, and a non smoking patio area upstairs and a small beer garden to the rear and side. Gets busy very early. Ales are always decent however so worth a visit if passing by.

Called in here for breakfast which was pretty good (and hot for a change!). The upstairs wasn't in use but it looked quite smart with some outdoor seating. I'll call again to try the beer!

High ceilinged, extended L-shaped room, typical Wetherspoons space/furniture, but the bare brick & grey pillars help to give it at least some character. Large patio at rear & an upstairs area with its own bar, but with less character. Beers was well kept and service seemed very good (mind you, it was 10am..)

This looks like it's some sort of converted warehouse or factory. It wasn't very busy on a Friday afternoon. It's a more attractive building that their other place but the beer selection was poor. On the ten pumps downstairs there was GK IPA, Abbot and Old Speckled hen, Doom Bore, a cider, Celt Experience Dark Age and Slater's Smoked Porter. Upstairs just added Beartown Black Bear to the choice. I went for the Slater's Porter (£2.19) which was poor as it was on the turn. The only plus for me here is that the standard guest ale price is just £1.89. I very much doubt that I would return as this is probably the worst Spoons I've been to this year.

Large, busy bar with a second, smaller and quieter bar upstairs. Although listed as a Lloyds No 1, it features the usual dark furniture and decor that you would expect from a regular 'spoons. Reasonable selection from ten handpumps (plus five more duplicates at first-floor level), and my pint of Rudgate Rudolph's Ruin was in good condition and remarkably priced at £1.89.

A split level JDW which used to be a Yates's, so not much in the way of features in here. In fact it's a square box with no character. I called in twice on my Friday afternoon/early evening crawl round Northampton and couldn't get served on either visit. The guest ale selection was pretty boring as well. Not good.

Official site of The Cordwainer (Lloyds No.1) - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk