The Dominie Cross (JD Wetherspoon), Retford

Apparently a former car showroom, garage and supermarket this one is no longer a Lloyds as stated on What Pub. The front part is a sort of shed like structure and the rear is more like a conservatory. There is a substantial patio at the very end. Fixtures and fittings are fairly typical. It was busy on my Saturday afternoon visit and the staff seemed to be struggling. The ten hand pumps had one unused, two ciders, the JDW Trio Of Doom, Acorn White Oak & Gorlovka Imperial Stout, something called Olde English Dark Ale and Hogs Back Hogswallop. I went for the Gorlovka (£2.29 festival price) which was in good nick. It's a shame they didn't have more staff on as it seemed OK apart from that.

Decent enough Spoons with a good selection of ales and ciders on hand pump. The England-Wales game was on screens in the pub which I know wouldn't suit some of the reviewers, but at least we won!

The Dominie Cross page on the JD Wetherspoon website - www.jdwetherspoon.com

The Dominie Cross page on the JD Wetherspoon website - www.jdwetherspoon.com

The Dominie Cross page on the JD Wetherspoon website - www.jdwetherspoon.com

The Dominie Cross is a fairly large new build Wetherspoon pub that is opposite the far better looking Turks Head. Once inside there was a very large room that went back quite a bit the bar is on the right and there was a small raised area opposite this,the pub is carpeted throughout and has got the usuall Spoons seating,there is also a large outsdie drinking area to the rear of the pub. On my Saturday morning visit 10.15 the pub was fairly busy and seemed to be overrun with mobility scooters and wheelchairs making it hazardous walking through without getting run over. There were around 10 pumps on the bar but 4 of these had waiting signs on them,i had a drink of Sprinhead Bees Knees and this was a very nice well kept drink the other beers were Welbeck Abbey Red Feather / Diamond Jubilee,Youngs Special,GK Celebration Ale and Ruddles bitter. This is a fairly decent Spoons and it kept me in drink while waiting for other pubs to open. Pub visited 2/6/2012

This modern style Wetherspoons is a little offputtng from the front, especially being situated opposite the more alluring Turks Head. As others have pointed out, it is far more interesting inside than one would expect although it still has many of the Wetherspoon hallmarks. The interior can be divided into 3 sections, the front being fairly ordinary with low ceiling, half paneled walls and a large selection of pictures. The main bar in the centre of the building has a high modern vaulted ceiling, a few semi-partitions and some unusual lighting fixtures brought to the fore in the subdued light. Note the unusual golden patterned canopy over the bar, the eyecatching chandeliers and the large “Valhalla” artwork that dominates the walls on 3 sides. Opposite the bar is a raised section centred on a brick fireplace with a couple of sofas, a fancy paneled ceiling and various modern sculptures in the niches. Through an arch at the rear of the pub is a drawing room / library style area with bookcases at each end, paneled walls, tub chairs and some subtle modern lighting. The large windows give the place a more light and airy feel than the rest of the pub and outside is a large secure paved patio with a central shelter and some rather litter strewn shrubs. The usual ‘Spoons fare on offer though only 2 guest ales (Cathedral Eight Bells & Caledonian Top Banana) on my visit although to be fair it was early on a Thursday morning, hardly peak time and we were there more for a late breakfast / early pint. Certainly one of the more interesting of the modern ‘Spoons and obviously they have taken a bit of thought than usual when planning the interior. If you have an open mind regarding ‘Spoons then it is worthy of having a look in.