I used to work for the architects of JD Wetherspoons (to give it its correct title!) and they did spend a LOT of money doing up buildings, preserving buildings, making them useable again, albeit as pubs. The theatre (Cornet?) in Forest Hill on London Road for example; you may not like that it is a pub but at least the building has at least been looked after, and is still a public building. The staff used to (I don't know about now) be very well trained and there was a sense of pride but the company got very very big and quickly. They tend to do well in recessions, and are a bit Tesco-ey with the way they approach small breweries at beer festival time, buying in bulk for less money sort of thing, but business is business. I have to admit having visited a LOT of Wetherspoon pubs around London and beyond (Often on their opening nights) they vary according - of course - to the local clientele. Personally, I would never want to go into the Peckham one again but the one in Old Street (Casque Marque?) and Farringdon Road (Sir John something?) are lovely. If the Vale becomes a Wetherspoon pub I would be 'appy though it's still too far for me to walk there!