Visiting Blyth to appreciate the beauty of a Wetherspoons pub is not what I had envisioned to be part of my working week. But after fans of the UK's most famous pub chain hailed The Wallaw in Blyth town centre as the best looking, I was asked to try it out - and it didn't disappoint. The pub, which opened in 2013, was praised by members of the Facebook group We Love Wetherspoons for its Art Deco fixtures and nods to The Wallaw cinema which once occupied the building.
And you didn't have to look far to see evidence of the history of the Grade II listed building which had stood empty for nine years before being refurbished by J D Wetherspoon. Stepping inside, customers are immediately greeted with a large projector and a small row of theatre-style seats. A notice on the wall nearby explains that the projector was found still bolted to the floor in the projector room when the site underwent renovation.
Read more: Wetherspoons 'best looking' pub identified and it's a former cinema in Northumberland Get all the latest updates on food, drink, entertainment and events with our free What’s On newsletter Perhaps one of the most striking features in the pub is the authentic old school cinema style backdrop behind the bar which is visible from almost every table in the largely open plan venue. A mirrored Art Deco fixture now provides a grand frame to the bar. But stand with your back to the bar and customers can see a balcony with a full seating area which would have been packed with .
