Photo-a-Day  (Tuesday, 11th February, 2020)

What a comedown for the, once regarded as quality, Brocket to end up a Wetherspoon!

I think that Wetherspoons do quite a good job of preserving older buildings, a job Wigan councillors havent quite got the hang of.

Well said, Helen. We once went in a Wetherspoons in Blythe which had been a huge old cinema and it was really impressive and fill of character.

Went into this place one evening for the first time in my life a couple of weeks ago with my wife and another couple. Plenty of people in there, other couples, groups of men, groups of women eating and drinking. All well behaved and not a swear word was heard. Very pleasant evening. Thumbs up from me.

I agree with Helen... But that doesn't stop them taking over newer thrown up buildings such as ex supermarkets... ( near where I live) then they become very stiff competition for the more established pubs nearby. It's all down to being cheaper for the customers.

Another dusky delight from David.

Correct Helen, Tim Martin has saved hundreds of buildings up and down the country. Sorry AP, i don't agree with you, the Brocket has changed very little apart from now having a MUCH better choice of beers.

Elizabeth and myself love going in here for a good old natter..it always seems so comfortable..and cosy...I love the place.

So THAT'S where you two get to, Our Maureen?!! xxxx

Sometimes in towns outside the north of England , Wetherspoons is the only chance of a decent real ale.
They don't know what cask ale is in some places I've been in.

Weatherspoon's are really good at saving, and sympathetically modernising older buildings that would otherwise fall into ruin. Wish that they would take over the old library in Hindley. Such a shame, a beautiful old property.
On another note, my husband and I had our wedding reception here in 1968.

Yes Irene,we've been known to spend three hours in there...it's always a nice atmosphere. xxx

Hello Irene and Maureen ! Yes we can put the world to rights in about 3 hours ! Always feel comfortable in here as Maureen says.

Nice to know it's a pub that you can feel comfortable in, Maureen and Elizabeth. When my daughter-in-law's family come up from London they often go to The Brocket and have stayed overnight there on occasion, and Jamie and Beccy are happy to take the children there for a meal....they've even been for breakfast! So well done The Brocket and Cheers, Ladies! xx

I cant think of a worse thing to do than go and sit in a pub, that smells of stale ale and last nights smelly people ,to eat breakfast, microwaved by a pimlefaced teenager

I assure you my son would never have taken his family to such a place as you describe, Mick. I have never had breakfast in Wetherspoons but have been in when it was being served and it looks delicious. I have had morning coffee in Wetherspoons and never smelled stale ale or smelly people and the staff have been extremely pleasant. We all had pimples as teenagers and I admire the staff who are willing to work for a living.

The Wetherspoons near me is quite popular. I have taken my two grandchildren and enjoyed a cheap and cheerful meal with them. The coffee is nice and I know loads of people who meet up in the daytime. It seems to be the 'in place' for coffee and a chat after shopping. Mind you, you have to push through the smokers at the entrance!!!

Don't try to convince him ladies,he just doesn't know good taste when he sees it.

Ah! Well Maureen he tries to be controversial but he fails miserably - that's Mick. There wouldn't be so many Wetherspoons up and down the country if what he says was true... No, it's not dining at the Ritz but neither is it the 'Greasy Spoon' ....or similar. The one near me is dedicated to the one and only Robert Shaw..... That says something..

Having said that I don't think I would go for a 'candle lit supper' there ... And I don't think you would Maureen, but it serves a purpose, it's a meeting place and a break for coffee and chat. I don't know what it's like of an evening so I can't say! What I do know is they do well these Wetherspoons..

I went in this place with my good friends George and Alice. They went to live in Norfolk due to the weather. I preferred being here, as you do.
We started with a starter drink. Alice had her usual, large gin and tonic, followed by the same , but with a large whiskey and water on the side. George had a few pints of real ale pride 'barrel drum' which made him bright red in the face. Alice had that colour for many years, it came through her makeup, especially when she had a few.
Alice ordered Cod, chips and mushy peas, with the chef's special to take home. George ordered Steak and kidney pie, plus two fried eggs on toast. I just had a ham and egg turnover.
After we had eaten, Alice ordered more drinks of the same for her and George. I declined the offer , and suggested to both if ordering again was a good idea for them both, as they both had faces like red balloons. Anyway.. As things turned out, it then began to rain, and I mean rain, lashing against the windows in a really scary way.
I personally wasn't alarmed and watched the hypnotic rain banging against the windows against the high hills afar in the background.
Meanwhile, George and Alice slept quietly on the carpet floor.. their balloons smiling peacefully.. As you do..

I just love reading Mick's comments, and the responses he gets. He has turned aggravating people into an art form ! Not everyone could do that !

I remember crushing a beer can above a swirling 'jack' pike once, Veronica, but crushing one above an agitated Great White would've required a little more fortitude, I'm afraid. I'd watched part of Robert Shaw's highly-rated performance in 'The Birthday Party'? a couple of months ago on TV - he seems to have had a wide range.
And I could even tell you the tale about the Pop ethic that once floated within yon Sixties Brocket (Maureen would've had a fit.), which my mother had been told by an eye-witness. Let sleeping dogs … .

The only difference between 'our' Wetherspoons and the one above is the grand building of the former Brocket and our local supermarket Lo-cost/ Keenway thrown up in the late seventies! In other words inside they are all of the same character.
Whether our own Robert Shaw would have entered those portals is another matter. I'm sure he could have been persuaded being bred and born a 'Howfener'!
He certainly did have a wide range Philip, one of his very first film roles was as a pilot in the 'Dam Busters'...can imagine 'Roll out the Barrel' in the scramble at the bar!

Veronica.
I liked his 'Tie me a sheepshank' scenario in which he'd later clasped Hooper's hands while bombarding him with a working-class hero bit, and then ending it with 'You've got Ciddy hands, Mr Hoopa'.
And The Dambusters is still watchable. Thanks.

Ive just been reading in the paper that Weatherspoons are going to limit just one drink for mothers and babies>
Thats a good idea, but it does just show the type of customers Weathespoon attracts.