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Detail Pages
Pennies, Kidderminster
Kidderminster
DY10 2AZ
Pub Type
J D WetherspoonReviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Penny Black (JD Wetherspoon)
This centrally located Wetherspoons pub takes its name from the world's first postal stamp which was created by Kidderminster resident Rowland Hill, a statue of whom can be found just down the road, outside the Town Hall. The pub is a fairly unattractive unit in part of the town's extensive retail district, boasting a few scruffy blue mosaic tiles on the outside, but otherwise looking entirely run down and outdated. Inside, we find a shallow but wide single room layout with large ugly windows along the front wall. You enter directly to the bar area, with the servery running along the back wall. The right side of the room has a lot of high tables and stools, whilst standard tables and chairs make up the majority of the remaining seating options through the rest of the room. In true Wetherspoons tradition, the pub is carpeted throughout and has an unusual three-tone wood striped wall effect that doesn't look too bad. Decor is limited to the usual information boards, giving snippets of local history, although I did also spot a dartboard over on the right hand wall, which must score a fair few points in a game of Wetherspoons I-spy. Stairs lead up to a first floor seating area which I failed to explore, but seemed to be popular given the amount of food that was being taken up there throughout my visit.
The beer range was pretty disappointing by 'Spoons standards, with three guest ales and two regulars across the five handpulls. I was here early on for breakfast, so decided to pass on the beer and enjoy a mug of tea instead. There was only one person behind the bar when I arrived and he was dealing with a remarkably complex order from a nightmare customer, so I had quite a long wait before another barman finally arrived. Aside from this delay, I found the staff to be very friendly and helpful, especially the waitress who offered me the chance to pick an extra for my breakfast when it transpired that they'd run out of black pudding.
This isn't the nicest Wetherspoons your ever likely to visit and seems to fit a profile of pub that the company are increasingly moving away from. Like most 'Spoons, it still seems to be disproportionately popular with the locals and remains a good bet for top value food and drink but there are plenty of nicer pubs around town that I would use ahead of this one.
On 9th April 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Penny Black (JD Wetherspoon)
As noted below this is a pretty grim Spoons, something I can only put down to the rather bare decor and the fact that it's a shopping centre Spoons. I thought the service and quality were fine. It opened in early 2000 and gets the name from the fact that Rowland Hill the geezer that invented the postage stamp was from Kidderminster. No doubt he's turning in his grave after the Royal Mail privatisation.
It doesn't help the fact that there are only five hand pumps but on the plus side there was no sign of the usual suspects.
One was unused so the beers were Caledonian Por La Playa, Prescott Chequered Flag & Hill Climb and Backyard D&B Porter. I went for the Caledonian international brew (£2.20) which was in good condition and also ordered some sausage & mash which went down a treat reduced by £1.10 with the 20% CAMRA discount.
It's not one of the better Spoons but it's not the end of the world coming here for a pint and a bite to eat.
On 15th October 2015
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Penny Black (JD Wetherspoon)
A small and pretty unlovely JDW that is a standard shop conversion. Two-tiered with modern, turn of the century décor. Large plate glass windows do at least let in a decent amount of light. Narrow mezzanine allows for good people-watching below. Five pumps with a decent selection, my Oakham was ok, no great shakes. Barmaid admitted she had no idea about anything, which was at least refreshing if not exactly helpful. Not much to write home about and there was a bit of something about the place I didn’t care for (without being able to put my finger on why) in addition.
On 10th November 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Penny Black (JD Wetherspoon)
More modern in appearance inside than many 'spoons, with large front windows giving plenty of light in the ground-floor bar and seating area (although less so on the mezzanine). The staff were friendly when I visited early in the day, bantering good-naturedly with their regulars. Let down by a very basic ale selection from the five handpumps (albeit cheap at £1.99).
On 23rd March 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Penny Black (JD Wetherspoon)
Quite a small Spoons this one, I'd say it was either a carpet or furniture store. Four ales available on our visit, I went for the Wharfebank Golden Pursuit, obviously brewed for the Olympics starting next week.
On 24th July 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Richard Arwkrite left this review about The Penny Black (JD Wetherspoon)
One of the few JDWs I do not like. It has the air of failure about it and its customers. Its dirty and unkempt,the disabled toilet blocked by a stack of newly delivered food boxes and the cramped bar makes use of a wheelchair difficult. A disappointing visit.
On 22nd September 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 197 recommendations about 185 pubs]