Does it matter if 32 Wetherspoons pubs are up for sale?
Earlier this week Wetherspoons announced they were selling 32 of their pubs. Spoons do sometimes shut or sell pubs but this quite a large number in an 800 pub estate.
It is reportedly related to Wetherspoons making a financial loss. While it might be assumed that the pubs concerned are poor performers it might equally be that they are on sites where a sale is likely. The Penderels Oak in Holborn is on the list. One presumes that the pub has been hit by a downturn in office workers trade but its still in a prominent location.
Roger Protz has tweeted that whatever one’s opinion of Tim Martin and Spoons many of these pubs are well used locals- I’ve posted on the Tollgate in Turnpike Lane, Those without much money- that’s many of us now- can afford a well-priced pint of cask beer or indeed lager. They can also do so in a social environment instead of stuck at home with a can in front of the TV.
There is I think a case for pubs like Wetherspoons, just not run by them, recognising a union for staff and cutting the Brexit crap
I’m guessing some of them are in old buildings that need repair. The Moon and Bell in Loughborough is certainly an old building, not sure what the repair situation is, though it is a bit shabby. There is a petition to keep it open. I don’t hold out any hope and won’t be signing it. I only go in for free refills of coffee. Lol
Gill
Good blog post and comment.
Our local Spoons in Ayr has kept an important local building going….how many others are like that?