The Standing Order (JD Wetherspoon), Stevenage

A nice old frontage, but much extended to the rear by Wetherspoon. Standard interior, with seating supplemented by a side patio and some wooden tables at the front. Reasonable selection from ten handpumps, including the Stone Supremely Self-conscious Black Ale (£2.15).

Well, yes it is a ‘Spoons, but given the dearth of decent pubs in Stevenage, it’s still got a part to play in the town’s drinking scene. Converted from a bank, hence the name, it actually looks like neither pub nor bank thanks to an attractive brick exterior. It’s something of a pub of two halves, with the front area feeling like a cosy traditional pub with a good deal of comfortable seating as well as a pleasant outdoor patio area. The room narrows as you head towards the rear of the pub, before opening out again once you reach the bar. Here you find a more standard Wetherspoons layout with rows of tables and chairs opposite the servery. Half of the ceiling is transparent, so it’s nice and light during daylight hours and this is further helped by a large, floor to ceiling window on the back wall. Around the perimeter of the room there are some sofas and along one wall there are some unusual high backed pews. A TV screen was turned off during my stay, but visual distraction is provided by some photos of local scenes and an odd painting of a roundabout. Doors at the side and rear of the room lead to more outdoor seating areas. There are ten hand pumps on the bar and I counted just the one ‘Spoons regular, with eight guest ales, mostly from the national festival, and one real cider. I tried a pint of the Hawkshead Windermere Pale which was outstanding and showed them worthy of their GBG inclusion. We all know the shortcomings of Wetherspoons pubs but I thought this place was one of the chain’s better efforts and in a town where it’s hard to find a well kept pint, I’d certainly make the effort to pay a return visit.