I’ve spent £17,000 and three years visiting all 861 Wetherspoons – I got emotional finishing the journey
A PUNTER has forked out £17,000 to complete a challenge of visiting all 861 Wetherspoons in Britain.
David Bingham, 59, spent three years on his trek to the Spoons, travelling up to 2,000 miles a month, mainly on public transport.
He ticked the final ones off his list with a burst of 46 of the bargain boozers in four days in Scotland.
The dad of two celebrated with a pint of San Miguel and bottle of Heineken as he reached the end of his mission at the Robert the dumfBruce in Dumfries on Thursday.
David said: “I got emotional when I completed the journey.
“This felt like a real achievement and it made the beer taste even better when I finally reached the final pub.”
READ MORE ON WETHERSPOONS
The retired forklift driver was inspired to take on the challenge when partner Una Cooper, 63, bought him a Wetherspoon directory.
He contacted The Sun after seeing our story last week about Alan and Agnes Forbes, who have visited 700 Wetherspoons in six years.
David, from Burton, Staffs, said: “I’ve tried to do most of it by public transport but some of them you have to drive to.
“I love Wetherspoons because of the incredible buildings they are in — many of them are old fire stations, post offices and other beautiful sites. Spoons saves these buildings.
Most read in The Sun
“I’m a trainspotter so I enjoy doing things like this. It took over my life and became a compulsion.”
His favourite Spoons are the Royal Victoria Pavilion in Ramsgate, Kent; The Corn Exchange in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk; the Winter Gardens in Harrogate; plus the Caley Picture House in Edinburgh.
David said: “The Royal Victoria Pavilion was opened by Queen Victoria’s daughter but had stood derelict for years.
Read More on The Sun
“It’s now the biggest pub in Great Britain and is fantastic.
“I was on a mission and was exciting as I got towards the end. But I think Una regrets buying me the directory.”