A JD Wetherspoon pub occupying a converted bank is hardly a revolutionary concept but nothing becomes commonplace without being popular. With a formula that’s a proven success countrywide, The William Wilberforce continues the trend.

The Venue
With the novelty of going to a re-vamped bank for a pint well and truly on the wane, can there really be anything special about a venue like the William Wilberforce? Well not special perhaps, but the surroundings are certainly pleasant. While many older pubs can seem cramped, and newer purpose built bars look purely functional, an old building with genuine character can provide an elegant environment. With its expansive main bar, wood-panelled booths and a winding stair, the William Wilberforce fits the bill nicely. There is something almost opulent about reclining on a couch and sipping a glass of wine in the manager’s office, or relaxing at the upstairs bar, enjoying a bite to eat and surveying the room below. Perhaps the equation is a simple one: if you’re going to convert a bank into a pub, first find a really good bank.

Planted on the corner of Silver Street, Trinity House Lane and Whitefriargate, the William Wilberforce is a fine building in a popular part of town. But these positives bring inbuilt negatives as space is at a premium here - there's no beer garden, and those in search of a nicotine fix are obliged to hover in the doorway.

The People
As might be expected of a Wetherspoon’s, the William Wilberforce is well served by plenty of smart and competent staff, and even at peak times the service is fast, efficient and friendly. The food and drink offers bring in an abundance of customers at all times of day, so that despite the size of the bar, it rarely appears quiet.

Regardless of the amount of competition in the area, the pub remains popular with professionals heading for a drink at the end of office hours and, not surprisingly, Friday night sees a particular surge in custom from this group.

The Drink
No surprises here. The chief aim of Wetherspoon’s has always been to offer value, and their pubs remain cheaper than most of the competition. The 99p pints may have gone, but Ruddles has risen only to £1.29 a pint, the same price as a bottle of Becks or a single shot. As with any less expensive chain, the quality has at times come under fire, but this seems to be without foundation here. Ruddles compares well in taste with the main beers in most Hull pubs, but if it’s not your pint of beer, the William Wilberforce offers many more regulars, and constantly changing guest ales, such as Tiger, Pitchfork and Black Adder (all £1.79) There is also an impressive range of bottled lager, from Becks to Budweiser (£2.69 a bottle).

For wine drinkers, a great deal can be had on the Blossom Hill which at just £4.99 a bottle compares well with most supermarkets, let alone other pubs. As with the beer, its as good as most competitors can offer in terms of quality, and at a very good price.

The Food
Again, the watchword is value. Meals are simplistic but perfectly adequate. As expected, you won’t think you’ve stumbled into a Michelin starred restaurant with a celebrity chef in the kitchen, but the standard never dips below acceptable either. The main menu, and the Steak, Curry and Sunday Clubs, are well-established, but subtle changes and new meals keep things interesting. Meals start at £2.99, and the burger-with-a-drink option (£4.69) is always a good bet.

The Last Word
Weatherspoon’s may be to beer what Starbucks are to coffee and Subway are to sandwiches, and whether you think this is a good thing or not is down to personal opinion. If you particularly hate chain pubs, this one won’t convert you, but if you are looking for somewhere cheap and comfortable you won’t go far wrong with the William Wilberforce.

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