When I was told to do as a Prince would at a Birmingham Wetherspoons, I thought great, let’s get the Purple Rain cocktails in. Sadly, this was a different Prince.
Earlier this week, Prince William was in the city as he attended a conference for the College of Paramedics. The future king enjoyed a Bulmer’s Cider, a much more sensible drink than the singer’s favourite cocktail..
I had visited every other Wetherspoons in the city centre but the London and North Western was still on my hitlist. Since opening in 2022, the pub inside Grand Central Birmingham always seems filled with commuters from the outside and on a Thursday afternoon, it was no different.
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I’ve passed it by an endless amount of times as it is right by the Uber pickup area. Whilst you wait indoors to escape the cold, the outside decoration of the Wetherspoons is a love letter to Birmingham.
With historic dates and pictures of famous faces Ozzy Osbourne and Lenny Henry, it’s a nice touch for people who might only be stopping in the city for a pint. Inside, the history continues with a map of the Jewellery Quarter and information on the Colmore family’s impact on the city.
The London and North Western Wetherspoons is located inside Birmingham New Street Station
(Image: Robson McCallister/BirminghamLive)
With as many backpacks as people inside, the London and North Western staff must see hundreds of new faces every day as they wait for their train. And as one of those new faces, I was expecting for another wholesome encounter.
The last time I was at a Wetherspoons, I made a new friend over drinks and shared my food with him. Prince William didn’t share his cider though so I had to trust his judgement on this one.
Once I was inside the Wetherspoons, I must admit that I don’t think it has much identity. I put this down to the fact it is relatively new and hasn’t taken over a historic building such as a bank or a theatre. like so many Wetherspoons pubs tend to do.
Prince William was apparently there nursing his Bulmer’s Original for 30 minutes. Considering he doesn’t have a deadline to write to, I had to speed up a bit faster than The Prince of Wales as I paid £4.03 for a pint..
Outside the pub is a timeline of Birmingham’s history
(Image: Robson McCallister/BirminghamLive)
His choice of apple cider was fine, but it’s really just apple juice on steroids with more bitterness and bite. The choice was a rookie move by Will. I would recommend a Bulmer’s Berry the next time he’s in town. It’s more sweet with a lovely and refreshing aftertaste.
Given the fast-paced nature of working inside a train station, I couldn’t fault the staff who never seemed to stop during my short stay. Before I left, I wanted to get the public’s opinion on the Royal visit.
The Prince of Wales meeting Aston Villa supporters in a Wetherspoons pub in the centre of Birmingham.
(Image: PA)
Now as a West Brom fan, I was in no rush to discuss Aston Villa news like Prince William did. But as I spoke to customers enjoying a pint, all spoke full of praise for both prince and pub.
Leo Jedrzejewski said: “Prince William has always been down to earth. He’s a fantastic bloke and brilliant for the next generation in the monarchy.
“I like the atmosphere and the beer here too, the staff are nice. The beer’s reasonably priced and the food here is good in a convenient location.”
Frank Mcnulty added: “This Wetherspoons is a good place to meet. I’m from Wolverhampton and my friends live in Solihull so it’s a great spot. We love Wetherspoons, wherever you go, the beer is reasonably priced.
“I think Mr Martin has got the right idea which big breweries haven’t.”
And Doug Roberts commented: “I wish I had known he was here because I would have visited. This is a functional Wetherspoons and perfect for a train station.”
Was the Wetherspoons fit for a king? Absolutely. Would I be making it a regular place to visit? I’m not so sure.
But as new people visit the city everyday, there will be always new faces popping in. It doesn’t matter if you’re a prince, a pauper, or someone complaining about apple cider, Wetherspoons is still the king for great value.