WETHERSPOONS fans are mourning the loss of an ‘iconic’ art deco pub which has finally given out its last orders.
The iconic pub known as The Capitol located in Forest Hill, closed its doors for the last time yesterday, 15 October.
Google mapsSpoons fans are mourning the loss of the ‘iconic’ Capitol pub which has closed its door for the last time[/caption]
The pub used to be a cinema in the 1920s, showing its last film in 1973, The Capitol then opened as Bingo Hall in 1978 before JD Wetherspoons snapped it up in 1996.
Locals flocked to Facebook to share their heartbreak after learning the pub would be closing for good.
One user said: “Sad day today. My previous local when I lived in London was the Wetherspoons at Forest Hill, The Capitol, which is closing today.”
Another said: “Enjoy so many beautiful old places closing now end of great chapters in one’s life !”
The branch was among four other Wetherspoons in south London which were put up for sale in September last year.
One customer said on Google: “This is a really lovely pub. It was once a movie theatre. It’s sad that it will be closed.”
Another said: “Great history to this building, as soon as you walk in there is some info, lovely high ceilings and decor.”
Wetherspoons declined to comment but confirmed the closure.
The pub giant has now closed 35 boozers it put up for sale over the last 19 months.
Like many other pubs and hospitality businesses the brand has been hit hard by rising costs due to high inflation.
Wetherspoons’ boss Tim Martin also said far more people now drink in their homes rather than in pubs.
Here’s a full list of the 35 pubs that have closed in the last 19 months:
The John Masefield, New FerryAngel, IslingtonThe Silkstone Inn, BarnsleyThe Billiard Hall, West BromwichAdmiral Sir Lucius Curtis, SouthamptonThe Colombia Press, WatfordThe Malthouse, WillenhallThe John Masefield, New FerryThomas Leaper, DerbyCliftonville, HoveTollgate, HarringayLast Post, LoughtonHarvest Moon, OrpingtonAlexander Bain, WickChapel an Gansblydhen, BodminMoon on the Square, BasildonCoal Orchard, TauntonRunning Horse, Airside Doncaster AirportWild Rose, BootleEdmund Halley, Lee GreenThe Willow Grove, SouthportPostal Order, WorcesterNorth and South Wales Bank, WrexhamThe Sir John Stirling Maxwell, GlasgowThe Knight’s Templar, LondonChristopher Creeke, BournemouthThe Water House, DurhamThe Widow Frost, MansfieldThe Worlds Inn, RomfordHudson Bay, Forest GateThe Saltoun Inn, FraserburghThe Bankers Draft, Eltham, LondonThe Sir John Arderne, NewarkMoon and Bell in LoughboroughThe Capitol, Forest Hill
Which Wetherspoons pubs are up for sale?
Wetherspoons currently has 27 pubs up for sale – 17 are still available while 10 are 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.
The 17 Wetherspoons that are currently up for sale are:
The Pontlottyn, AbertilleryThe Ivor Davies, CardiffSpa Lane Vaults, ChesterfieldThe Gate House, DoncasterThe Market Cross, HolywellThe Regent, Kirkby in AshfieldThe Mockbeggar Hall, MoretonThe Hain Line, St IvesThe Sir Norman Rae, ShipleyThe Sir Daniel Arms, SwindonThe White Hart, TodmordenJolly Sailor, HanhamResolution, MiddlesbroughThe Rising Sun, RedditchSennockian, SevenoaksLord Arthur Lee, FarehamPlough & Harrow, Hammersmith
This is the list of 10 pubs under offer
The Butlers Bell, StaffordWrong ‘Un, BexleyheathThe Percy Shaw, HalifaxThe Alfred Herring, Palmers GreenFoxley Hatch, PurleyThe Cross Keys, PeeblesGeneral Sir Redvers Buller, CreditonAsparagus, BatterseaMillers Well, East HamCoronet, London
However, if you can make it to a Spoons there are still deals to be found, with the 12-day real ale autumn festival which is well underway.
Fans will get the opportunity to sample beers from five different countries with prices starting from just £2.
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