The Butler's Bell, Stafford

I’ve no idea why anyone would choose this Wetherspoons over the far superior Picture House at the other end of the high street, but many had because the Butler’s Bell was very busy during a recent late midweek afternoon visit. Most people seemed to be eating so maybe the food is better in here? Tim Martin seems to have made his choice though because there’s a for sale sign up on the wall out front. This is actually quite small for a Spoons, and I wasn’t a fan of the décor which includes some 1970’s crystal lights above the brown Perspex fronted bar counter that runs up the left wall. There’s standard seating by the entrance and at the rear. High tables run down the centre opposite the bar and some booths run along the right-hand wall. FA cup football was being advertised. The bar counter supports standard and premium keg alongside two banks of five identical hand pumps. These were drawing Ruddles, Sharp’s Doom Bar, GK Abbot Ale, Black’s Irish Red and the Flack’s Irish Porter was off. A very disappointing line up, probably the worst I’ve seen in any Spoons. It certainly feels like this place is winding down when it comes to wet sales. I’ll not be visiting here again before it’s sold, which is no loss to me.