Whetherspoons divides opinion among pub-goers in the UK. Many people love it for its cheap booze and hearty food, while others prefer to spend their evening in a venue they consider more 'fancy'.
But some of the chain's pubs are actually far more extravagant than the budget menu suggests, with many situated in beautiful old buildings in the centre of towns and cities. And it isn't an accident, as the company has a strategy of buying former banks or halls and turning them into a place to drink and eat.
Many punters have been especially drawn to one particularly impressive branch, which may just be the poshest Whetherspoons in the country. The Corn Exchange, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, is seen by many as the fanciest Spoons in the UK thanks to its incredibly grand features, the Sun reports.
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The Grade I listed building first opened in 1862, as a place where tradesmen could exchange their grains. It was built by Lot Jackaman at a cost of £7,000 and stands on he site of the old market.
The bottom floor of the building was turned into shops in 1969, and in 2012 it was bought by JD Wetherspoon. The company has now turned it into one of its most stunning drinking spots.
The old Grecian columns have remained since it was first built, and drinkers can enjoy sitting beneath a huge dome ceiling. Small trees decorate the main drinking area, creating a unique atmosphere.
Whetherspoons says that when it renovated the space, it aimed to “reuse and reinstate as much of the existing fabric as possible, ensuring the original details together with the scale of the main space could be retained in its full glory”.
Online, many people have raved about the setting. Derek wrote on TripAdvisor that it was “one of Wetherspoons' great buildings” while Robert commented that the building was “absolutely lovely” and said it was “pleasant to sit in [the] surroundings”.
Other customers have praised the friendliness and energy of the staff and the tasty food. Dave wrote: “Had an afternoon trip with some friends, loads of varieties on the beer range at very affordable prices. Will definitely visit again.”
A Wetherspoons super-fan who spent three years and £17,000 trekking to all of the country's 861 venues of the chain also said the Corn Exchange is one of his favourites. David Bingham, 59, said: “I love Wetherspoons because of the incredible buildings they are in - many of them are old fire stations, post offices and other beautiful sites. Spoons saves these buildings.”
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