Wetherspoons abruptly closes 'great' pub that is 'always full'
WETHERSPOONS fans were left sad after a sudden closure saw the shutters pulled down on their favorite pub last week.
A much-loved pub in Paignton, Devon, turned away punters as the weekend started, much to their disappointment.
But it's not all bad news: the local restaurant, called Talk of the Town, is closed until May as a £2.1 million renovation gets underway.
A spokesperson for the chain confirmed last week: “The conversation of the Town will close this Saturday, February 3, for extensive renovation and extension work, at a cost of approximately £2.1 million.
'The plan is to expand the pub to the next one door building and renovate the current café building.”
They add that a new bar and larger kitchen will be sure to please locals and accommodate more customers – who will be welcomed back on May 14.
It comes after Wetherspoons snapped up a restaurant next one door in 2022 in hopes of expanding their current watering hole.
Despite more permanent closures in the UK, the much-loved chain is still aiming to claim 1,000 locations.
Boss Sir Tim Martin is determined to build on his current fleet of 814, down from 951 in 2015.
As reported by The timeshe said: “We have sold a number of pubs over the years, particularly where we have opened two pubs close to each other in small or medium sized towns.
“We have also transferred a number of leasehold cafés to the landlord, whereby the lease agreements have expired.
“We have 814 pubs today and estimate there is potential for around 1,000.
“Although there have been some disposals, turnover is almost a billion pounds higher than it was ten or eleven years ago.”
The chain recently told the Sun that one of its Poole pubs will be put on the market.
The boozer warned last September that it would put dozens of its pubs up for sale.
In December, 20 Wetherspoons were up for sale, while eight were under promotion, leaving fans concerned that their local branch could be lost forever.
The Percy Shaw in Halifax called its last orders on Jan. 7 after Wetherspoon sold the location to a new owner.
Other pubs were for sale in Battersea, Bristol, Peebles and Shipley.
Wetherspoon pubs for sale
There are currently around 17 other Wetherspoons for sale, with the Rochester Crown becoming the 17th.
Here's the full list:
- The Pontlottyn, Abertillery
- The Ivor Davies, Cardiff
- Spa Lane Vaults, Chesterfield
- The Gatehouse, Doncaster
- The Market Cross, Holywell
- The Regent, Kirkby in Ashfield
- The Mockbeggar Hall, Moreton
- The Hain Line, St Ives
- Mr Norman Rae, Shipley
- The Sir Daniel Arms, Swindon
- The White Heart, Todmorden
- Lord Arthur Lee, Fareham
- The plow and the harrow, London
- Resolution, Middlesbrough
- Sennockian, Sevenoaks
- The Rochester Castle, London
- Foot of the walk, Edinburgh
It comes at a time when a number of British pubs have closed their doors for good in a turbulent economic context.
Rising energy and labor costs are putting further pressure on companies.
Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin also said many more people are now drinking at home rather than in pubs.
But Wetherspoons continues to sell and excite its loyal fan base.
From March 6, punters will have the chance to sample a range of 30 different real ales, including five from overseas brewers.
The festival lasts 12 days from Wednesday March 6 to Sunday March 17.
Wetherspoons fans will get the chance to sample beers Belgium, Germany, ItalyTaiwan and the USA.
The much-loved British pub chain is also opening a new location at Haven Primrose Valley Holiday Park in Filey.
The on-site Wetherspoons is expected to open in March 2024, although an official date is yet to be confirmed.