Many Wetherspoons lovers have lost their local pub as branches have shut their doors for good with 28 more still at risk.
Wetherspoons announced the closure of 11 pubs following dozens more that have already shut their doors this year.
Each of them is expected to cease trading by the end of the year, meaning Britons could lose their local by Christmas.
The chain, which runs more than 800 pubs in the UK and Ireland and employs 40,000 people, has – like many businesses – been hit by rising inflation and operating costs.
The Butler’s Bell in Stafford has become the latest Spoons to close, calling last orders on October 22. It was purchased by Davenports Brewery meaning the site will remain as a pub.
While the General Sir Redvers Buller in Crediton, Devon, closed on October 8.
The chain has been listed for sale over this year by the commercial retail estate firm CBRE Group and Savills.
It comes as a number of UK pubs have closed their doors for good amid a turbulent economic backdrop. Inflation remains stubbornly high meaning households have less expendable cash to burn.
Full list of recent Wetherspoon closures
- The General Sir Redvers Buller, Devon – closed October 8
- The Capitol, Forest Hill – closed October 15
- The Butler’s Bell, Stafford – closed October 22
- Miller’s Well, East Ham
- Resolution, Middlesbrough
The chain – which has 827 pubs across the UK – warned last September that 32 pubs were being put up for sale.
Katie McPhilimey, consultant marketing director at Davenports, said: “Bucking the trend of the hospitality industry, Davenports Brewery are strategically acquiring venues to add to their ever-expanding portfolio of award-winning venues.
“The Butler’s Bell is a great new addition to the portfolio, and hopefully not our last in Stafford. Whilst we haven’t got a firm opening date yet, as there is work to be done to install our products and that of our brand partners, we hope it will be within the next few weeks.
“Before this, the Wetherspoon pub The Capitol in Forest Hill London shut its doors on October 15 and another Wetherspoon pub in Devon also closed. The General Sir Redvers Buller closed on October 8. Earlier this year, the site was classed as being under offer – however, as of writing it is uncertain what the future of the site is.”
The following 11 pubs have been put up for sale:
- The Pontlottyn, Abertillery
- The Ivor Davies, Cardiff
- Spa Lane Vaults, Chesterfield
- The Gate House, Doncaster
- The Market Cross, Holywell
- The Regent, Kirkby in Ashfield
- The Mockbeggar Hall, Moreton
- The Hain Line, St Ives
- The Sir Norman Rae, Shipley
- The Sir Daniel Arms, Swindon
- The White Hart, Todmorden
The following Wetherspoons’ pubs have already closed this year:
- Widow Frost, Mansfield
- 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 Saltoun Inn, Fraserburgh
The chain’s chairman and founder, Tim Martin, says people are also drinking more at home rather than in pubs, to save money.
He said earlier this year, ahead of the initial batch of closures: “The aftermath of the pandemic and lockdown restrictions have been far more difficult than anyone thought.
“That is the picture for the whole pub and restaurant industry. People thought that after lockdown there would be a boom in people suffering from cabin fever but, instead, it has almost been the opposite situation as people have got in the habit of staying in.”
He added: “That’s the big thing that means sales are down on 2019. Things are improving now but it’s slow.”
