Weatherspoon has put 11 pubs up for sale after already closing 33 over the last few years.
The pub chain is a mainstay in many town centres and high streets, but was hit by difficult economic conditions over recent years. So far this year, 33 pubs have called last orders already, with many having sold up and closed down since.
Recently, almost a dozen more pubs have been put up for sale. This includes a branch in Merseyside.
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But punters shouldn’t panic just yet, as all of the pubs listed below will stay open until they’re sold. Alongside that, the chain have reassured regulars that its still opening a number of branches as well.
The Square Peg in Birmingham and The Lord Palmerston in Southsea both recently reopened after a major refurbishment. The company is also redeveloping pubs in Wakefield, central Cardiff and Glasgow to the cost of around £8million.
The full list of 11 new pubs 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 properties are being sold by CBRE and Savills on behalf of JD Wetherspoon. Previously, the chain has said the pubs it’s putting up for sale often have another Wetherspoons nearby.
On the auction site, 19 pubs are still listed as available. Alongside the 11 above, it also includes:
- Christopher Creeke, Bournemouth
- Thomas Leaper, Derby
- Lord Arthur Lee, Fareham
- Plough & Harrow, Hammersmith, London
- Jolly Sailor, Bristol
- Resolution, Middlesbrough,
- Rising Sun, Redditch
- Sennockian, Sevenoaks
A further 15 are under offer, with one going for as low as £250,000 – The Widow Frost in Mansfield. These include:
- The Asparagus, Battersea, London
- Wrong ‘un, Bexleyheath
- General Sir Redvers Buller, Crediton
- Miller’s Well, East Ham, London
- Bankers Draft, Eltham, London
- Capitol, Forest Hill, London
- Percy Shaw, Halifax
- Coronet, Holloway, London
- Widow Frost, Mansfield
- Alfred Herring, Palmers Green, London
- Cross Keys, Peebles
- Foxley Hatch, Purley
- World’s Inn, Romford,
- Butler’s Bell, Stafford
- Columbia Press (Lloyd’s No.1), Watford
Wetherspoon's boss Tim Martin has said a shift in drinking habits, leading to more Brits drinking at home, instead of in pubs, has also impacted the chain, alongside soaring costs and inflation.
A spokesperson for the company said: "Wetherspoon confirms that it has decided to sell 11 of its 822 pubs which it has put on the market through property agents, Savills and CBRE. Details of the properties can be found on www.jdwdisposals.co.uk.
"The pubs are mainly freehold properties with one leasehold property. The company is also proceeding with plans for a number of new pubs and hotels as well as major upgrades to existing pubs involving a total investment of around £100 million."
Paul Breen, Director at Savills said: “These substantial and well invested pubs are likely to appeal to a broad range of potential buyers.”
Toby Hall, Senior Director at CBRE added: “The pubs are all in long established and proven trading locations making them ideal for both existing pub operators and new entrants”.
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