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Thread: Wetherspoons

  1. #51
    Grand Master Foxy100's Avatar
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    Until recently I went to my local Wetherspoon a couple of times per month. Being a university city, the place was usually rammed with young ladies barely able to afford to dress themselves but the beer selection was usually excellent and extremely cheap so I suffered it. Post-virus I doubt I'll be able to afford to go out at all so it's all academic. Is Pornhub free in the UK yet?
    "A man of little significance"

  2. #52
    Grand Master JasonM's Avatar
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    ^ I read yesterday PH are offering a free 3month Premium subscription 😁
    Cheers..
    Jase

  3. #53
    Quote Originally Posted by JasonM View Post
    ^ I read yesterday PH are offering a free 3month Premium subscription 😁
    Theres always YP.

  4. #54
    Grand Master JasonM's Avatar
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    Xnxx is my go to.
    Cheers..
    Jase

  5. #55
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    Their full English brekkie is not to be sniffed at, value wise.

    The only time I go to a 'Spoons is at Gatwick North.

  6. #56
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    Quote Originally Posted by JasonM View Post
    Xnxx is my go to.
    If I knew what it was, I might be on the same page, so to speak. If you ever fancy a change, I’d suggest moseying on to tblop

  7. #57
    Quote Originally Posted by rico View Post
    Their full English brekkie is not to be sniffed at, value wise.
    Equally their pizza are excellent and not far off the typical pizza chain in terms of quality. I occasionally pop in for a margarita pizza and a pint of Brewdog Punk IPA with my son on a Saturday afternoon. Otherwise, I dont frequent Wetherspoons.

    At just over seven squid its great value especially given the high quality beer that you can have with it.

    But, Im going have to rethink my habits after this news.

  8. #58
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    Quote Originally Posted by Onelasttime View Post
    I agree, but how did they manage to procure so many art deco cinemas for conversion? There must be about 10 in London alone. Beautiful buildings turned into piss holes for the damned.
    The truth is Wetherspoons take on buildings that no one else wants or can find an economic use for (Old Cinemas, Banks etc). In a previous life I was involved with the development of their pubs; it was often listed buildings that had sat empty or derelict for quite some time, over 20 years in many instances, that they acquired - very challenging and expensive to develop but they made the numbers work when others couldn't. The pubs and customer demographic are certainly not to everyone's taste but there would be many more city and town centre historic buildings empty and decaying without JDW.
    As for the personality, Tim Martin is a self-made man who has spent his entire life proving people wrong; he certainly has a level of self-belief I have experienced in few others.
    Useless fact - The name Wetherspoon was used for the business as it was the name of a teacher of Mr Martin who told him early in life that he was a waster who would make nothing of himself.

  9. #59
    Grand Master JasonM's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Possu View Post
    If I knew what it was, I might be on the same page, so to speak. If you ever fancy a change, Id suggest moseying on to tblop
    Like you, I have no idea what all this is about, but thanks anyway.
    Cheers..
    Jase

  10. #60
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Nuttington View Post
    Useless fact - The name Wetherspoon was used for the business as it was the name of a teacher of Mr Martin who told him early in life that he was a waster who would make nothing of himself.
    Now for that, I admire him. I have a teacher from many moons ago that drive me after he called me mediocre in a school report.

    Still wont drink in his pubs though, no matter how good the beer. I like a nice ambience as well as a cheap pint. Chavs, winos and scantily clad size 14 in size 10 dresses doesnt do it for me.

  11. #61
    Grand Master Griswold's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Passenger View Post
    Just out of curiosity but when this is over will folks vote with their wallets and boycott Chinese made stuff?
    Of course not P, why would we? Having said that, there are a lot of idiots out there in the wide and wonderful right now berating people of Chinese extract who were borne in this country - so for them anything is possible!
    Best Regards - Peter

    I'd hate to be with you when you're on your own.

  12. #62
    Grand Master Griswold's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Nuttington View Post
    Useless fact - The name Wetherspoon was used for the business as it was the name of a teacher of Mr Martin who told him early in life that he was a waster who would make nothing of himself.
    Didn't know that, but I named my first car after my English Teacher at school. To put it mildly, he was a bully and a prat. He positively discriminated against me because I used to stand up to him and it all backfired on him making him look stupid, (long story). It always gave me great pleasure 'inserting the starting handle' and giving it a good turn, imagining the front of my care was his ar$e!

    As for 'spoons', don't like their pubs at all, but the food and service in the outlet at our local airport is exceedingly good - but then, there's no other option!
    Best Regards - Peter

    I'd hate to be with you when you're on your own.

  13. #63
    Grand Master Carlton-Browne's Avatar
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    I liken it to going for a drink in Asda. I would love for this to become a Ratner moment for both Martin and Ashley but I imagine it won't make much difference.
    In the Sotadic Zone, apparently.

  14. #64
    Master James.uk's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kirk280 View Post
    Wetherspoons?

    Not since Brexit.
    This. Me too.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  15. #65
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    Quote Originally Posted by Carlton-Browne View Post
    I liken it to going for a drink in Asda. I would love for this to become a Ratner moment for both Martin and Ashley but I imagine it won't make much difference.
    That would be a beautiful end to two warts of retail. So long as the staff emerge with a coop from the ashes that serves them all better.


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  16. #66
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    The NewsThump take on the story...

    https://newsthump.com/2020/03/26/wet...-staff-sacked/

  17. #67
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    Anyone know what Wetherspoons or SD weekly wages bill is?

  18. #68
    Grand Master Saint-Just's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Incredible Sulk View Post
    There is no satire. It's factual.
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

  19. #69
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    Lets not forget this heinous human also owns:-

    House of Frasier
    Evans Cycles
    Jack Wills

    To name but a few of his businesses beside Sports Direct.

    I shall be swerving those in future too alongside Whetherspoons.

  20. #70
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    Quote Originally Posted by Passenger View Post
    It’s a valid question, going forward when this one breaks as it inevitably will are other options available dunno but I will have a look and then there’s lots of other Stuff, quite a bit of which is non essential truth be told or For which alternative suppliers do exist...what about you...accept poor food security, cultural quirks, animal cruelty and eventually health pandemics as the inevitable and acceptable cost of cheap stuff or use the only avenue available and vote with your wallet...I have not reached a conclusion just interested in what others think, plus there’s all the moral, humanitarian issues around supporting the regime with ones cash...
    I'm Chinese.

  21. #71
    Master Routers's Avatar
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    Have no time for Ashley or Martin, although Martin was good in Father Ted 

  22. #72
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    Mike Ashey apologies

    Maybe felt the heat of public opinion? Good though.

    Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has apologised to the government after saying its shops should stay open during the coronavirus lockdown.
    He agreed to close its high street stores earlier this week in a U-turn, having previously argued that the company provided an essential service and should stay open.
    In an open letter, he said he was deeply apologetic about the misunderstandings of the last few days.
    He added: "Our intentions were only to seek clarity from the government as to whether we should keep some of our stores open. We would never have acted against their advice.
    Mr Ashley also said that his Frasers Group would offer its entire fleet of lorries to help deliver medical equipment and supplies for the NHS and other key workforces.
    So clever my foot fell off.

  23. #73
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Damage limitation effort
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  24. #74
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    Quote Originally Posted by Onelasttime View Post
    I agree, but how did they manage to procure so many art deco cinemas for conversion? There must be about 10 in London alone. Beautiful buildings turned into piss holes for the damned.
    Because they were the only organisation who could find a profitable use for them and I suspect some of them would have been demolished by now if they weren't 'spoons.

  25. #75


    R
    Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.

  26. #76
    Grand Master Griswold's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Curta View Post
    Damage limitation effort
    Indeed.
    Best Regards - Peter

    I'd hate to be with you when you're on your own.

  27. #77
    Quote Originally Posted by ralphy View Post


    R
    I'm not trying to justify it but there must be thousands of businesses not willing or able to pay their suppliers at the moment (and even in 'normal' times), so could we try and maintain a little perspective?

  28. #78
    Grand Master Griswold's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ralphy View Post


    R
    Disgraceful behaviour! I think companies like this should exploit the law as far as possible to recover their debts, and then refuse to supply spoons in the future, (and try to persuade other similar small breweries to do the same). Without small independents like this spoons would find it hard to compete with the big boys.
    Best Regards - Peter

    I'd hate to be with you when you're on your own.

  29. #79
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    When they re-open I'll be doing my usual of popping in, ordering 4 pints of Guinness and then apologising that I've forgotten my wallet and walking out. Petty but it cheers me up.

  30. #80
    Quote Originally Posted by Griswold View Post
    Without small independents like this spoons would find it hard to compete with the big boys.
    More likely the other way round!

  31. #81
    Grand Master Griswold's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stanford View Post
    More likely the other way round!
    Lots of real ale pubs around, and pubs selling guest beers - I think they'd keep going. Having said that, the whole 'pub' scene could well change at the end of all this!
    Best Regards - Peter

    I'd hate to be with you when you're on your own.

  32. #82
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    The problem is that the unscrupulous Tim Martin knows he has them over a barrel (pardon the pun).

    This is often an issue when very large companies that have market dominance have many small suppliers - supermarkets do it all the time.

    They know that the little guy ultimately has little option but to accept their terms, no matter how unfair and immoral they are.

    The law should prevent this, but it doesn't.
    So clever my foot fell off.

  33. #83
    Quote Originally Posted by Griswold View Post
    Lots of real ale pubs around, and pubs selling guest beers - I think they'd keep going. Having said that, the whole 'pub' scene could well change at the end of all this!
    Indeed there are, there has been a bit of an explosion of such outlets (micro pubs)...and you think they are all currently paying all their suppliers; and are all the small brewers all currently paying all their suppliers?

    As I said, I'm not trying to justify it, it's just the reality of normal business, never mind in these extraordinary times.

  34. #84
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    What a total shyster.
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  35. #85
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    Ignore this whole situation for a moment.

    Many,many people look down on Wetherspoons ...it's downmarket,crap,wouldn't be seen dead in one etc etc. Quite frankly I think it's pure snobbery. As I think has been mentioned before, Wetherspoons has made a business model out of taking interesting buildings that might otherwise be left vacant and turning them into a pub that sells good beer at decent prices. It also allows those on lower incomes to be able to go out and enjoy themselves for very little. Yes, there are some Wetherspoons that are crap but then that is also true of 'regular' pubs.

    Now....taking Tim Martin's recent actions into account......nothing has changed regards the actual pubs. All that has changed is people's views on the owner and they will,if they choose,vote with their feet. But will the lower income families etc choose to do so? I doubt it. Why go to a normal pub and pay 12 or so for a burger plus another 6 for a pint of beer when they can go to Wetherspoons and get a pint and a burger for about 5?
    Most of the forum members on this thread seem to be in the 'wouldn't go there if you paid me' camp anyway ,so them all saying they will boycott them is meaningless.
    Last edited by village; 27th March 2020 at 15:34. Reason: Correct name! D'oh!

  36. #86
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stanford View Post
    I'm not trying to justify it but there must be thousands of businesses not willing or able to pay their suppliers at the moment (and even in 'normal' times), so could we try and maintain a little perspective?

    It's pretty amazing how willing how members of the public are metaphorically willing to take a bullet for big business...

    I don't get it - do you think Tim Martin will let you wash his car or something?

  37. #87
    Quote Originally Posted by Stanford View Post
    I'm not trying to justify it but there must be thousands of businesses not willing or able to pay their suppliers at the moment (and even in 'normal' times), so could we try and maintain a little perspective?
    I'm glad you're not trying to justify it. My perspective is that there is a difference between a company that could pay its suppliers (but chooses not to) and one that cannot. I think JDW fall into the first category.

    R
    Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.

  38. #88
    Grand Master Griswold's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ralphy View Post
    I'm glad you're not trying to justify it. My perspective is that there is a difference between a company that could pay its suppliers (but chooses not to) and one that cannot. I think JDW fall into the first category.

    R
    Beat me to it Ralphy
    Best Regards - Peter

    I'd hate to be with you when you're on your own.

  39. #89
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    Quote Originally Posted by thebuffoon View Post
    When they re-open I'll be doing my usual of popping in, ordering 4 pints of Guinness and then apologising that I've forgotten my wallet and walking out. Petty but it cheers me up.
    Kind of sums up people really. I'm sure the staff think you're really clever.
    Last edited by oldoakknives; 27th March 2020 at 15:29.
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  40. #90
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by village View Post
    Ignore this whole situation for a moment.

    Many,many people look down on Wetherspoons ...it's downmarket,crap,wouldn't be seen dead in one etc etc. Quite frankly I think it's pure snobbery. As I think has been mentioned before, Wetherspoons has made a business model out of taking interesting buildings that might otherwise be left vacant and turning them into a pub that sells good beer at decent prices. It also allows those on lower incomes to be able to go out and enjoy themselves for very little. Yes, there are some Wetherspoons that are crap but then that is also true of 'regular' pubs.

    Now....taking Mike Ashley's recent actions into account......nothing has changed regards the actual pubs. All that has changed is people's views on the owner and they will,if they choose,vote with their feet. But will the lower income families etc choose to do so? I doubt it. Why go to a normal pub and pay 12 or so for a burger plus another 6 for a pint of beer when they can go to Wetherspoons and get a pint and a burger for about 5?
    Most of the forum members on this thread seem to be in the 'wouldn't go there if you paid me' camp anyway ,so them all saying they will boycott them is meaningless.
    This. Plenty of customers will use 'spoonies.
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  41. #91
    Master theoriginaldigger's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by oldoakknives View Post
    This. Plenty of customers will use 'spoonies.
    Just because millions of people have no social conscience doesn't mean that they aren't really scummy businesses.

  42. #92
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by theoriginaldigger View Post
    Just because millions of people have no social conscience doesn't mean that they aren't really scummy businesses.
    Is it his business model or Brexit stance you dont like? Because it all seems a bit like bad losers to me.
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  43. #93
    People tend to pick and chose what they boycott. You can find immoral business practices across most large organisations. People will buy lots of goods that have been manufactured in inhuman conditions (didnt Apples factory have suicide nets?)

    I would say I have a generally good conscience and tend to treat others how I would like to be treated, but at the moment it doesnt affect my day to day decisions as a consumer, although I will make an effort to shop local instead of chains where possible.

  44. #94
    Grand Master number2's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by oldoakknives View Post
    Is it his business model or Brexit stance you don’t like? Because it all seems a bit like bad losers to me.
    As a business model I really can't see much wrong with Tim Martins approach to selling beer, there's a decent range of ales, the food whilst not inspiring looks fair value, no music and silent gambling machines, people can socialise and relax, it's an appealing formula, the pubs are mostly well run with a pretty dedicated staff, however he's now shown his true colours regarding staff and suppliers but I don't knock the formula.
    But you seem to be totally ok with Martin drip feeding his opinions to his customers, spreading his personal anti EU vendetta in his magazine and on beer mats, together with providing his customers with only certain right leaning newspapers, in an environment where the unwritten rule was always no politics or religion.
    Like it or not - and I know you don't, the fact is that the referendum was a battle where truth was the casualty, Fromage, Gove, Bozo, Davies, Mogg and yes Tim Martin together with the rag top papers manipulated the public, you might be okay with that even though Britain is going to shit in a hand cart, but try not to think that we're all so gullible.
    For the record I haven't been in a ''Spoons'' since the referendum, and if Martin was to go belly up tomorrow I might just PMSL.
    "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."

    'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.

  45. #95
    Quote Originally Posted by number2 View Post
    For the record I haven't been in a ''Spoons'' since the referendum, and if Martin was to go belly up tomorrow I might just PMSL.
    I thought I hadn't seen you for a while

  46. #96
    Grand Master number2's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stanford View Post
    I thought I hadn't seen you for a while
    Lolz
    "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."

    'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.

  47. #97
    Quote Originally Posted by number2 View Post
    if Martin was to go belly up tomorrow I might just PMSL.
    Ill laugh especially hard for the staff that were upset they werent getting paid during the lock down :-/

  48. #98
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    There isnt much difference for the staff whether he goes belly up or not at the moment.
    However he would go down with little loss to him, screwing over his suppliers as well as the other shareholders, so not a good thing.

    Id love if the small breweries could afford to stop supplying him AND take him to court, but its unlikely to happen.
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

  49. #99
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    Quote Originally Posted by Saint-Just View Post
    There isnt much difference for the staff whether he goes belly up or not at the moment.
    However he would go down with little loss to him, screwing over his suppliers as well as the other shareholders, so not a good thing.

    Id love if the small breweries could afford to stop supplying him AND take him to court, but its unlikely to happen.
    Whilst 'spoons' take volume, they do it aggressively. We have a couple of small independent bars/food places that have had great footfall from using micro/small beer brands and decent food. Much better than the chain places - I hope they come out of this in one piece.
    When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........

  50. #100
    Grand Master number2's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chris_in_the_UK View Post
    Whilst 'spoons' take volume, they do it aggressively. We have a couple of small independent bars/food places that have had great footfall from using micro/small beer brands and decent food. Much better than the chain places - I hope they come out of this in one piece.
    Thankfully such places are gaining popularity, they deserve more support.
    "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."

    'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.

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