Wetherspoons, a staple in British pub culture, is facing closures as the company has put 17 of its pubs up for sale, with 14 already under offer. For those who frequent these establishments, it’s a time of uncertainty as beloved pubs may be at risk of closure or new management. This news comes amidst a trend of closures in recent years, with 41 pubs shutting down last year and 30 pubs being sold or surrendered this year.
The potential closures are not set in stone, as the 14 Wetherspoon branches currently under offer may still remain open if the sale falls through. However, if the sales do go through, these pubs could be repurposed or reopened under different management in the coming months. Tim Martin, the founder and chairman of Wetherspoons, expressed optimism in the company’s latest trading update despite the challenges faced during the pandemic.
Wetherspoons has been known for its affordable prices on beer and food, with the chain resisting price increases even as inflation rises. While the closure of numerous pubs may seem concerning, Martin remains hopeful for the future, with plans to open new branches in 130 towns and cities once inflation eases. He highlighted the importance of competitive pricing in attracting customers, emphasizing that people are more inclined to go out for a pint when prices are reasonable.
### Pubs at Risk of Closure
The following Wetherspoons pubs are currently on the market or under offer:
**On the Market:**
– Ivor Davies, Cardiff
– Market Cross, Holywell
– Pontlottyn, Abertillery
**Under Offer:**
– Hain Line, St Ives
– Asparagus, SW London
– Wrong’un, SE London
– Gate House, Doncaster
– Jolly Sailor, Bristol
– Mockbeggar Hall, Moreton
– Alfred Herring, N London
– Cross Keys, Peebles
– Sir Norman Rae, Shipley
– White Hart, Todmorden
– Spa Lane Vaults, Chesterfield
– Lord Arthur Lee, Fareham
– Regent, Kirkby-in-Ashfield
– Sir Daniel Arms, Swindon
### Recommended Reading
For those interested in the fate of Wetherspoons pubs, the following articles provide further insight into the recent developments:
– JD Wetherspoons 39 pubs up for sale – see the full list
– JD Wetherspoons and Marston’s Brewery pubs up for sale
– Wetherspoons price increases on food and drink in pubs
### Recent Closures
Several Wetherspoons pubs have already closed their doors, including:
– The John Masefield, New Ferry
– Angel, Islington
– The Silkstone Inn, Barnsley
– The Billiard Hall, West Bromwich
– Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis, Southampton
– The Colombia Press, Watford
– The Malthouse, Willenhall
– Thomas Leaper, Derby
– Cliftonville, Hove
– Tollgate, Harringay
– Last Post, Loughton
– Harvest Moon, Orpington
– Alexander Bain, Wick
– Chapel an Gansblydhen, Bodmin
– Moon on the Square, Basildon
– Coal Orchard, Taunton
– Running Horse, Airside Doncaster Airport
– Wild Rose, Bootle
– Edmund Halley, Lee Green
– The Willow Grove, Southport
– Postal Order, Worcester
– North and South Wales Bank, Wrexham
– The Sir John Stirling Maxwell, Glasgow
– The Knight’s Templar, London
– Christopher Creeke, Bournemouth
– The Water House, Durham
– The Widow Frost, Mansfield
– The Worlds Inn, Romford
– Hudson Bay, Forest Gate
– The Saltoun Inn, Fraserburgh
– The Bankers Draft, Eltham, London
– The Sir John Arderne, Newark
– The Capitol, Forest Hill
– Moon and Bell, Loughborough
– Nightjar, Ferndown
– General Sir Redvers Buller, Crediton
– The Rising Sun, Redditch
– The Butler’s Bell, Stafford
– Millers Well, East Ham
– The Coronet, London
### Future Prospects
Despite the closures, Tim Martin remains focused on the growth of Wetherspoons, with a current count of 801 pubs compared to 950 a decade ago. The company has already confirmed the sale or lease surrender of 26 pubs across various locations from London to Liverpool. While not all pubs are listed by estate agents overseeing the sales, the future of Wetherspoons continues to evolve in response to changing market conditions.
As customers and fans of Wetherspoons await further updates on the fate of their local pubs, the company’s resilience in the face of challenges demonstrates its commitment to adapt and thrive in the ever-changing hospitality industry. With plans for new branches in the pipeline and a focus on competitive pricing, Wetherspoons aims to continue serving its loyal patrons while navigating the complexities of the current economic landscape.
