More Wetherspoons to pubs their close doors for good including ‘stunning’ venue – with four still at risk
WETHERSPOONS has confirmed the closure of more of their pubs including an iconic “stunning” venue.
The popular pub chain has closed locations across the UK, including Stafford, London, Halifax and Penarth.
The George, Wanstead Wetherspoons is set to pull down their shutters for good on October 13.
Punters took to social media to express their frustrations over the closure of another popular branch.
One user wrote: “That’s sad.”
“My local. A very popular pub,” another commented.
The George had been a favourite among locals, who often left glowing reviews about the pub.
“Good service, competitively priced drinks and tasty food,” a user said.
Another added: “Excellent staff and well-kept beer at low prices.”
It comes after the Wetherspoons revealed that five pubs had been put up for sale, four of which are already under offer.
The Ivor Davies in Cardiff is up for sale, while the four pubs under offer are the Sir Daniel Arms in Swindon, the Hain Line in St Ives, the Foot of the Walk in Leith and the Quay in Poole
Under offer may mean that a bid is being considered or has been accepted.
But as the sale has not been finalised the pub remains on the market
Wetherspoons regularly reviews the branches it has up for sale and has often taken venues off the market to continue operating as part of the pub chain.
In its annual report published today, the pub giant said the disposal of the 27 pubs it has closed gave rise to a cash inflow of £8.9 million.
Wetherspoons has sold the freehold of premises it owned outright and returned others to their landlords.
The pub sites sold may reopen to welcome drinkers under their new owners.
Landlords could also find new tenants, so Wetherspoons’ departure doesn’t necessarily mean the loss of a pub for locals.
The sites closed are:
- The Saltoun Inn, Fraserburgh – sold
- Widow Frost, Mansfield – sold
- General Sir Redvers Buller, Crediton – sold
- Butler’s Bell, Stafford – sold
- Coronet, Holloway Road, London – sold
- White Hart, Todmorden – sold
- Asparagus, Battersea – sold
- Mock Beggar Hall, Moreton – sold
- Sir Norman Rae, Shipley – sold
- Lord Arthur Lee, Fareham – sold
- Market Cross, Holywell – sold
- The Cross Keys, Peebles – sold
- The Regent, Kirkby in Ashfield – sold
- An Geata Arundel, Waterford – sold
- Jolly Sailor, Hanham – sold
- Millers Well, Purley, Halifax – sold
- The London & Rye in Rushey Green, Catford – sold
- Bankers Draft, Eltham – returned to landlord
- Sir John Arderne, Newark – returned to landlord
- Night Jar, Ferndown – returned to landlord
- Moon and Bell, Loughborough – returned to landlord
- Capitol, Forest Hill – returned to landlord
- Hart and Spool, Borehamwood – returned to landlord
- Alfred Herring, Palmers Green – returned to landlord
- Tichenham Inn, Ickenham – returned to landlord
- Bears Head, Penarth – returned to landlord
Wetherspoons has also opened two new sites in the last 12 months – The Captain Flinders near Euston Station and the Star Light at Heathrow Airport, and The Grand Assembly in Marlow.
Several sites have also been expanded including the Red Lion,
Skegness; the Talk of the Town, Paignton; the Albany Palace, Trowbridge and the Mile Castle, Newcastle.
It follows Wetherspoons being sued for more than £200,000 after a drinker fell to his death from a second-floor window.
And the popular pub chain’s 12-day beer festival will be back with a bang tomorrow with some ales selling for less than £2 a pint.
How can I save money at Wetherspoons?
PUB-GOERS love Wetherspoons for its competitive pricing and low-cost meals - but did you know there are more ways to save money?
Senior consumer reporter Olivia Marshall explains how.
Free refills – Buy a £1.50 tea, coffee or hot chocolate and you can get free refills. The deal is available all day, every day.
Check a map – Prices can vary from one location the next, even those close to each other.
So if you’re planning a pint at a Spoons, it’s worth popping in nearby pubs to see if you’re settling in at the cheapest.
Choose your day – Each night the pub chain runs certain food theme nights.
For instance, every Thursday night is curry club, where diners can get a main meal and a drink for a set price cheaper than usual.
Pick-up vouchers – Students can often pick up voucher books in
their local near universities, which offer discounts on food and drink, so keep your eyes peeled.
Get appy – The Wetherspoons app allows you to order and pay for your drink and food from your table – but you don’t need to be in the pub to use it.
Taking full advantage of this, cheeky customers have used social media to ask their friends and family to order them drinks. The app is free to download on the App Store or Google Play.
Check the date – Every year, Spoons holds its Tax Equality Day to highlight the benefits of a permanently reduced tax bill for the pub industry.
It usually takes place in September, and last year it fell on Thursday, September 14.
As well as its 12-day Real Ale Festival every Autumn, Wetherspoons also holds a Spring Festival.