The Grand Electric Hall (JD Wetherspoon), Spennymoor

The first cinema to be built on this site was in 1914. The second cinema and updated version was built also on this site and burnt down in 1929, looking at some old photos in here. This Spoons is modern with some quirky features such as the collection of spherical glass lamps handing from the ceiling, a multi coloured staircase up to the first floor and the carpets had an Art Deco pattern. 2 x 5 pumps with beers doubled up, Abbott, Doombar, Bishops Finger, Ruddles, Spitfire and Maxim Brewery Double Maxim. I did manage to find a Lymestone Brewery Stone Face at £1.99 a pint, which was fairly decent.

I just couldn't work out on my visit what the original use of this building would have been as it doesn't look much like an old cinema from the outside. Inside it consists of a large rectangular bar area on the right with smaller areas down some steps and up some steps to the left. The overall look is modern and a bit garish, especially the staircase leading to the upper area. There is a patio at the front. It was rather quiet on my Wednesday afternoon visit. There are ten hand pumps which had one unused, a cider, the JDW Trio Of Doom with Ruddles doubled up, Shepherd Neame Redpoint Disco Macaw & Spitfire, Hobgoblin Gold and Sonnet 43 Raven. I went for the International Disco Macaw (£1.99) which was in good nick. It's not one of the better Spoons but not that bad.

The Grand Electric Hall page at the JD Wetherspoon site - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk