WETHERSPOONS is set to close more pubs this weekend leaving fans worried that their high street will become a “ghost town”.
Punters could lose as many as 25 Wetherspoons drinking spots as more locations prepare to shut their doors.
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The Bankers Draft in Eltham, London and The Sir John Arderne in Newark are set to close on Sunday (August 20).
While the Wrong ‘Un in Bexleyheath has recently gone “under offer”.
This means that a buyer has presented an offer that is being considered by the seller.
It doesn’t mean that the sale is guaranteed, and it could still remain open if it doesn’t complete.
It comes after the chain – which has 827 pubs across the UK – warned last September that 32 pubs were being put up for sale.
Loyal Spoons fans have taken to social media to share their sadness over losing their local watering hole.
Reacting to the closure of The Sir John Aderne, one said: “Gonna miss it and the staff.
“Newarks’ going downhill – there will be nothing in the town soon.”
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Another Facebook user echoed this, simply writing: “Ghost town…”
While another said that the pub would be a “big loss” for the town.
The total number of Wetherspoons that have closed so far currently stands at 29.
The pubs which have already closed were smaller, older, or have a second Wetherspoons fairly close by, the company said in a trading update published in July.
But it’s not all bad news as three new Wetherspoon pubs have opened over the past year.
Here is the full list of 14 Wetherspoons pubs that are currently under offer and at risk of closure:
- The Alfred Herring, Palmers Green
- The Cross Keys, Peebles
- General Sir Redvers Buller, Crediton
- The Butlers Bell, Stafford
- The Percy Shaw, Halifax
- Foxley Hatch, Purley
- Asparagus, Battersea
- Millers Well, East Ham
- Hudson Bay, Forest Gate
- Capitol, Forest Hill
- The Bankers Draft, Eltham – will close on August 20
- The Widow Frost, Mansfield
- Coronet, London
- Wrong ‘Un, Bexleyheath
Plus, The Nightjar in Ferndown, Dorset, will not have its lease renewed in September.
The following eight pubs are currently up for sale and at risk of shutting for good – but for now they are open as usual:
- Wrong ‘Un, Bexleyheath
- Jolly Sailor, Hanham
- Resolution, Middlesbrough
- The Rising Sun, Redditch
- Sennockian, Sevenoaks
- Lord Arthur Lee, Fareham
- Plough & Harrow, Hammersmith
- The Sir John Arderne, Newark – will close on August 20
While the 29 pubs below have already shut their doors for good.
- 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
- The John Masefield, New Ferry
- 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 Worlds Inn, Romford
- The Saltoun Inn, Fraserburgh
Wetherspoons, like many other pub chains and retailers, has been hit hard by rising costs brought on by high inflation.
Wetherspoons’ boss Tim Martin also said far more people now drink in their homes rather than in pubs.
Restaurant and pub chains across the country have been closing venues due to energy bills and high inflation.
Just under 4,600 premises closed over the year to March say the industry experts at consumer research brands CGA by NIQ and AlixPartners.
Marston’s Brewery has put 61 pubs up for sale following a review of its estate.
Italian dining chain Prezzo revealed plans to shut 46 restaurants in May.
The Restaurant Group (TRG) revealed it is considering shutting dozens of its loss-making restaurants over the next two years, in an effort to boost earnings.
It will cut the number of Frankie & Benny’s and Chiquito restaurants by around 30% over the next two years.
Byron Burger also announced it was closing nine restaurants after falling into administration in January.
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