Marks & Spencer at Paddington closed for refurbishment for nearly two years - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

the food was dripping with grease.

Some of the best tasting food does. There are times when only the greasiest, coronary inducing, food will do.

[Tim]

It must be a pretty big project as it is not due to reopen until Spring next year.

or maybe they have just got Network Rail to do the work 

[TaplowGreen]

It must be a pretty big project as it is not due to reopen until Spring next year.

or maybe they have just got Network Rail to do the work 

.....if so it'll be Spring 2020 (hopefully), 8 x the original cost and the sandwiches will taste horrible!

[NickB]

Or it may never reopen at all.

[TaplowGreen]

.....or....horror of horrors.....it might become a Wetherspoons! 

[bobm]

Just received my ^20 worth of CAMRA beer vouchers to use in Wetherspoons over the next year... so I wouldn't necessarily vote against it.

[JayMac]

I for one would welcome a Wetherspoons at Paddington.

[TaplowGreen]

..........there's already a "proper" Fullers pub at Paddington, The Mad Bishop and Bear which has won awards, why on Earth would you want a Wetherspoons shed there as well?

[ChrisB]

Price of the beer....?

[Richard Fairhurst]

..........there's already a "proper" Fullers pub at Paddington, The Mad Bishop and Bear which has won awards, why on Earth would you want a Wetherspoons shed there as well?

Does the "proper" pub serve "proper" cider now? It didn't last time I was there, whereas a Wetherspoons would. Surely London's gateway to the West Country should serve the West Country's signature drink.

[JayMac]

Price of the beer....?

Exactly.

The Mad Bishop and Bear is good. Very good. But also pricey.

Price is always my number one concern in pubs. And Wetherspoons rarely fail on quality.

A good pint and a good meal for ^7 from Wetherspoons. The same in the MBB will be around ^14.

[TaplowGreen]

If you like real ale and find yourself delayed or in need of a pint in Reading, give this place a go, 2 mins from the station......far better option than the Three Guineas....if a slightly longer stagger to the platform!!!

http://www.thegreyfriarreading.co.uk/

[JayMac]

I'll take the extra 75yds walk to the Wetherspoons on Friar St where I can get food with my Cask Marque ale late afternoon and evening, or all day at the weekend.

[JayMac]

Discussion about Wetherspoons on or near stations has been given its own dedicated topic:

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=15910.0

Now. Back to M&S at Paddington... except you can't. It's closed. 

[Bob_Blakey]

For me this is a major inconvenience - I will have to detour to an alternative M & S to purchase the ready mixed, and very nicely chilled, G & T that is a normal travelling companion on PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) > EXD^» (Exeter St Davids - next trains) trips.