WETHERSPOONS has closed dozens of pubs in the past year – and more locations could soon follow, the chain has confirmed.
Punters could lose as many as 24 Wetherspoons drinking spots as more branches shut their doors.
GettyWetherspoons has closed dozens of pubs and more could soon follow[/caption]
It comes after the chain – which has 827 pubs across the UK – warned last September that 32 pubs were being put up for sale.
Now the total number of venues that have closed stands at 28.
The pubs which have already closed were smaller, older, or have a second Wetherspoons fairly close by, the company said in a trading update today.
The chain added that it was a “misinterpretation” to suggest the move was down to difficult trading conditions.
Its chairman, Tim Martin, said: “As a result of a continued improvement in sales and a slightly reduced expectation for cost increases, for example energy costs, the company anticipates an improved outcome for the next financial year.”
In May, Wetherspoons predicted record sales for the year to July after sales jumped 12.2 per cent in the three months to April 30.
Plus, 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 GreenThe Cross Keys, PeeblesThe Saltoun Inn, FraserburghGeneral Sir Redvers Buller, CreditonThe Butlers Bell, StaffordThe Percy Shaw, HalifaxFoxley Hatch, PurleyAsparagus, BatterseaMillers Well, East HamHudson Bay, Forest GateCapitol, Forest HillThe Bankers Draft, ElthamThe Widow Frost, MansfieldCoronet, London
Plus, The Nightjar in Ferndown, Dorset, will not have its lease renewed in September.
The following nine pubs are currently up for sale and at risk of shutting for good – but for now they are open as usual:
Wrong ‘Un, BexleyheathJolly Sailor, HanhamResolution, MiddlesbroughThe Rising Sun, RedditchSennockian, SevenoaksLord Arthur Lee, FarehamPlough & Harrow, HammersmithMoon on the Hill, HarrowThe Sir John Arderne, Newark
While the 28 pubs below have already shut their doors for good.
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 Worlds Inn, Romford
Wetherspoons, like many other pub chains and retailers, has been hit hard by rising costs brought on by high inflation.
Tim Martin also said far more people now drink in their homes rather than in pubs.
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