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Having set themselves the challenge of visiting every Wetherspoons in the country, Halifax grandparents Phil, 77, and Julie Fox, 74, have revealed their favourite.
They began the adventure over 15 years ago and, as of October 2024, have visited 500 Wetherspoons pubs around the UK.
The budget-friendly boozer is a much-loved British institution, famed for cheap pints and largely-microwaved meals that won’t break the bank.
Frequented by everyone from university students to OAPs, each one is a real melting pot for its local denizens.
The pubs are situated in refurbished buildings of all stripes, with part of the fun of visiting a new ‘Spoons being in the surprising, unpredictable decor awaiting within.
On their way to visiting all 809 Wetherspoons, Phil and Julie have got a firm favourite in mind despite having more than 300 left to strike off the list.
"We ran out of conversation and we were staring at each other, so I asked her how many Spoons we had been to,” Phil said, recalling how the challenge started. “I worked out we had been in maybe 70, so we decided to do 100.
"We then went for 200 and it's carried on - it's become a part-time hobby."
At the time of writing, their favourite is situated in the homely town of Stamford in Lincolnshire.
This particular ‘Spoons is a refurbished newspaper office aptly-named ‘The Stamford Post’, and it certainly delivered for Phil and Julie.
"We used to love the one in Keswick but we've got a new favourite. It's called ‘The Stamford Post’ – we've been there a few times and even visited a few days ago.
"It's an old newspaper office but it's really, really nice inside. They modernised it and everything."
With over 300 left to visit, who knows whether The Stamford Post will retain the crown once the challenge is complete.
It’s not the most-straightforward quest, as it turns out. Six Wetherspoons outlets are situated in airport departure lounges.
"It's impossible to do it though because we would have to book holidays abroad, because there's two at Birmingham Airport. So it's a bit of a trek to go to Birmingham, just to fly to Spain for Wetherspoons," said Phil.
Of course, they could go on a holiday as well as go to a Wetherspoons, but it seems this committed couple aren’t interested in locales lacking a four-pound-pint, a fruit machine, and a reasonably-priced sausage and mash.
Undeterred, the couple’s campaign for completing Wetherspoons goes on.
Featured Image Credit: Moonstone Images/Getty ImagesTopics: UK Food
Rachael Davis