The building is okay but it certainly isn’t one of those Kent beauties saved by Mr Martin, like Tunbridge Wells’ Opera House or even the Samuel Peto in Folkestone.

But, there were no less than 23 drinks available on draught and the sign said I should ‘try before I buy’, so I accepted the invitation.

Surely nowhere else can offer such a huge number of drinks on tap, and that’s not even counting the four wine-by-the-glass taps?

I sampled the 4% Copper Cascade from Scotland’s Stewart Brewing and the 4.8% Midnight Bell from Kirkstall Brewery in Leeds. Both were priced up at a hefty £1.99 but I was told each was actually only £1.79 a pint as it was a Monday.

Seriously, where else are you going to be served a pint of this quality, and believe me, both were excellent, for this price? Three other beers were even less, at £1.49.

I selected a Copper Cascade and took a high stool at a high table. There are no stools, or anything else, at the bar and the whole area is left free so people can get served efficiently.

Unsurprisingly, it wasn’t over busy at 9.30pm on a Monday but there were several large groups in, students back for Easter I think, a couple of older blokes sitting alone with a pint and a few couples. A few folk were still ordering food and I was astonished to learn, even midweek, the kitchen doesn’t close until 11pm.

Whilst it’s not a saved church, cinema or even an old bank, the pub is well decorated and looked after. There’s a large wooden bar, wooden floors and several interesting items of furniture. I have to say, I do like to see glasses hung up above the bar and the leaded-glass fronts, in blue and yellow, are clearly a tasteful nod to the name of the pub.

And, not always the case in all Spoons, this place actually smelled good.

Having already taste tested the Leeds Midnight Blue I decided it would be rude not to stay for a second pint and was again treated to another top quality pint at a ridiculously cheap price.

As usual, there is no pool table, dartboard or jukebox, in fact, there was no music of any sort, background or otherwise.

But there was no need to worry about a lack of entertainment as the staff, under the expert leadership of their manageress, were about to start closing down the pub. Though to be fair, one barmaid and her manager Jaz were, from the word go, constantly cleaning, washing glasses or restocking whenever they weren’t serving.

Even one lad, who’d earlier been accused of ‘standing around’ was kept busy scurrying around restocking the huge sauce supply and running drinks to the customers choosing to use the Wetherspoon App from their table – while I was in I’d estimate there was a 50/50 split between App ordering and those choosing to pay, either by cash or card, at the bar.

And I must, while I remember, pay tribute to the way the toilets are maintained here – the gents were impeccably presented, clean, fresh and sweet smelling. Believe me, I’ve visited a good number of this company’s establishments where this certainly hasn’t been the case.

The process of cleaning the pub at the end of the day was thorough and taken extremely seriously, although the manager did still find a few moments to offer, what sounded like very sensible career advice to the students home for the holidays.

The front door was left wedged open, which created a perfect temperature in the pub and also a very easy exit for anyone departing temporarily for a swift smoke.

There is a garden area at the back, left-hand side of the pub but the door was locked and I discovered that each evening it is closed an hour earlier than the kitchen.

I know Wetherspoon pubs dramatically divide opinions but I simply can’t see how anyone could deny the value of this business model. Add to this, and I admit I was pleasantly surprised too, the efficient and effective way it was managed and I think it’s hard to make a case against the Saxon Shore.

THE SAXON SHORE, 78-80 CENTRAL PARADE, HERNE BAY CT6 5JQ

Décor: It might not be one of Wetherspoon’s more flamboyant venues but the staff still took pride in ensuring the Saxon Shore was as presentable as possible. There are several nice items of furniture. ***

Drink: The number of real ales and craft beers available is remarkable and they’re backed up by a huge number of lagers, ciders and other options. Whatever you think of Spoons you can’t deny the company’s commitment to provide choice. *****

Price: I had two excellent pints for the princely sum of £3.58 and, whilst the trendy lagers are more expensive, even the most expensive one (Leffe) has only recently gone over the £4 mark. I know the Craft Union pub chain makes a real effort, but even it can’t match this value. *****

Staff: Ably marshalled by Jaz, the staff were hard working, efficient and looked to be enjoying themselves. It being a Monday evening they also found brief moments to chat, both among themselves and to customers. ****

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