GBG Classics: The Malt Shovel Spondon

Having left you in a classic Shrewsbury boozer then the readership (Tamworth Mark) have demanded I maintain high standards.

My recent Monday night beers have proved to be fruitful with lots of classics in Newport and the aforementioned Cross Foxes. It was good to see this run continue with a gem of a pub in Spondon.

Of course, with it being a GBG entry Martin has already ticked it off and, to be honest, if you want a better version of this post, read his account here.

Minneapolis Dave (his new nickname, just in case there are two Dave’s who read my blog) astutely pointed out in Martin’s comments section that most of my ticks are either (a) running errands for Mrs BB or (b) waiting for my kids to finish sport.

It was (b) on this occasion with an hour to kill from one of the junior Beermats football training session, which gave me enough time to get to Spondon, check out a new pub, and a GBG one to boot.

731 – The Malt Shovel DE21 7LH is a multi-roomed cracker and is the early front-runner for the coveted ‘most helpful/welcoming pub gaffer’ of 2022 award.

Four rooms – one for sport and there was a darts fixture later on with a group warming up alongside a game of snooker – whilst there was a buzz in all the three other rooms; this appears to be THE community pub in Spondon.

The gaffer checked with the group of ladies having a meeting that it was ok for me to join them in one of the smaller rooms and then gave me the all clear. He appeared to have the knack of being in just the right place at the right time and putting people at ease as he brought a cup of tea out to a punter from another group who’d arrived.

A cracking pint of Sunbeam (Banks’s) was also poured and when I asked him for a picture of the magnificent serving hatch/bar he happily moved aside and then told me to go on a tour of the place when I mentioned it was my first visit.

A gaffer who is clearly proud of his pub and the way it is run, who made me feel incredibly welcome, and you can see why this pub was thriving on a Monday night.

Sometimes this pub ticking lark is an absolute joy and, when you discover a cracker like this, then you can’t help think the future for well run pubs is actually really bright… 

Published by lifeafterfootball839

A man looking to visit as many pubs as possible in the Midlands and prove that the great British boozer is alive and kicking!

15 thoughts on “GBG Classics: The Malt Shovel Spondon”

  3. Yes, a very good pub. When I was in Spondon a few weeks ago I visited this one with only a few minutes to spare before catching a bus (which was then late, of course), but the licensee found time to show off some of the pub’s features and also look after his other guests. I was told later, however, that the word in Spondon is that the husband and wife team will be leaving the pub soon, after 11 years; I’ve no way of knowing how reliable this information was.

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    1. Noooo! I agree that it’s a cracker but definitely improved by a top notch gaffer….
      I’ve seen pubs go to pot after a landlord change but fingers crossed the successor (if there is one) is as good 👍
      By the way, Luton are on 🔥🔥🔥!!

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  4. Well I never, Beermat in a room full of women, a typical event in Solihull in the late 80’s 🤣

    Talking of which check out some of these photos from back then…there’s a good snap outside the City Tavern however I’m not sure what is the most shocking a couple of scantily clad young ladies at Birmingham New St station or the fact that Carl Richards was leading the line for Birmingham City…

    https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/nostalgia/gallery/revisit-birmingham-34-years-ago-23602957

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