The Green Ginger (JD Wetherspoon), Torquay

This is a large branch of the Wetherspoons chain, located inside an unusual circular shaped building that forms part of the adjacent shopping centre. You enter into the large circular room which is fully open plan, with the servery along the rear part of the room and an ocean of high tables and stools in the expansive bare boarded space opposite. Comfier seating options can be found around the curved perimeter, with lots of tables and chairs in a carpeted area to the front and some decent padded bench booths along the front wall, each with a small frosted glass partitioning screen between them. The bar has a nice dark wood panel counter in front of the bar back which is dominated by a huge mirror. There are some nice matching light fittings hanging from the undressed ceiling which has plenty of utilities on view, whilst elsewhere, dark wood wall panelling has been used to good effect, looking better than the neutral paint job the rest of the pub has been given. The room extends a long way past the bar, through an additional split-level seating area that felt a bit dark and gloomy on a bright afternoon, although I could see some people sat out on a balcony near this area, which may or may not be accessible from this part of the pub. There are a few TV screens dotted around the pub, all showing muted rolling news, and there was a good lunchtime crowd which helped make the place feel a bit less vast and cavernous than it might have done were it only half full. Unusually for a Wetherspoons, signs around the room alerted customers to the fact that they host a weekly pub quiz. On the bar, I counted three guest ales alongside the three usual ‘Spoons cask options, although one of these was taken off when I attempted to order it, so I tried a Windsor and Eton Father Thames which was in decent condition and served to me by a friendly barmaid who formed part of a hard working team that managed to replace the beer that went off by the time I left. I also had a bite to eat here and found the service prompt and polite, whilst the food was the usual cheap and cheerful fayre. This is an unusual ‘Spoons that doesn’t sound all that promising on paper, but turned out to be a pretty decent place to spend a bit of time, offering some decent seating options, well kept beer and friendly, efficient service. Torquay isn’t exactly noted for its great pub scene, so it’s good to have a reliable ‘Spoons to fall back on.

Modern 'spoons (mostly) housed in a distinctive rotunda at first-floor level above a Revolution bar, with a side extension and patio terrace connecting with the footbridge over the main seafront road. Rather gloomy inside away from the peripheral windows, and nothing much of interest in any part. The usual trio of Ruddles, Doom Bar and Abbot were available on both of the counters, but there are another four handpumps on the main bar offering Wild Blonde from South Hams (£2.15) as the only local cask ale plus three other less-usual beers from the likes of Banks & Taylor, Mauldon's and Coach House.