Pub firm JD Wetherspoon has explained which pubs are for sale and on the menu as it continues to sell the site. Earlier this month, the pub giant reported like-for-like sales were up 5.8% in the 10 weeks to July 7, despite unusually wet weather.
To date, Wetherspoons has opened two pubs but has sold or given up the lease on 26 pubs. There are currently four for sale and 14 on offer, according to CBRE and Savills, who have been tasked with selling public houses that have been earmarked for liquidation.
The companies said: “The properties include high quality private and rented public housing in busy locations across the UK. This represents a rare opportunity to acquire significant, landmark public houses with a high standard of amenities in high profile locations. The properties being considered for sale either as a portfolio, in small parcels or individually are located across the UK and will appeal to existing operators, new entrants or those looking for alternative uses, subject to the relevant consents being obtained.”
Pubs are currently for sale
- Pontlottyn, Abertillery, Somerset Street – Freehold
- Ivor Davies, Cardiff, Crowbridge Road East – Lease
- Market Cross, Holywell, High Street, Freehold
- Bingo Club, North Shields (undeveloped site)
Full list of JD Wetherspoon currently on offer according to CBRE and Savills:
- Asparagus, Battersea, Falcon Road, Freehold
- Bad ‘Un, Bexley Health, Broadway, Rent
- Gate House, Doncaster, Priory Walk, Freehold
- Jolly Sailor, Hanham, Bristol, High Street, Freehold
- Mock Beggar Hall, Moreton, Hoylake Road, Freehold
- Alfred Herring, Palmers Green, London, Leasehold
- Cross Keys, Peebles, Northgate, Freehold
- Sir Normal Rae, Shipley, Victoria House, Freehold
- White Hart, Todmorden, Station Approach, Freehold
- Spa Lane Vaults, Chesterfield, St Mary’s Gate, Freehold
- Lord Arthur Lee, Fareham, West Street, Freehold
- Regent, Kirkby in Ashfield, Diamond Avenue, Freehold
- Sir Daniel Arms, Swindon, Fleet Street, Leasehold
- Hain Line, St Ives, Treganna Place, Freehold
To view CBRE and Savills Wetherspoon pubs for sale, click here.
Earlier this month, Tim Martin made overtures to Rachel Reeves when he accused the previous government of failing to ease the tax burden on the struggling hospitality sector. He said: “The last government failed to introduce tax parity between pubs and supermarkets, leading to pub closures and under-investment.
“Wetherspoon hopes the current chancellor, with Bank of England pedigree, will understand how many beans make five and correct this inequality.” Wetherspoons opened two pubs but sold or gave up the lease on 26 pubs, according to financials over the past year.
He added that another 10 commercial pubs are either on the market or on offer. The group, which currently owns 801 pubs, said it has largely divested businesses that are “smaller and older” or where it has another site in close proximity.
At its peak in 2015, the pub company had approximately 950 seats. Earlier this year, the company said it still hoped to meet its long-term ambition to grow to 1,000 locations, despite shrinking the size of its holdings. The group highlighted that it has new openings planned at Waterloo and Fulham Broadway stations in London and Marlow in Buckinghamshire in the coming months.
Wetherspoon pubs known to have closed in recent years
- John Masefield, New Ferry
- Angel, Islington
- The Silkstone Inn, Barnsley
- Billiard Hall, West Bromwich
- Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis, Southampton
- The Colombia Press, Watford
- Malthouse, Willenhall
- John Masefield, New Ferry
- Thomas Leaper, Derby
- Cliftonville, Hove
- Tollgate, Harringay
- Last post Loughton
- Harvest Moon, Orpington
- Alexander Bain, Wick
- Chapel at Gansblydhen, Bodmin
- Moon in the Square, Basildon
- Coal Orchard, Taunton
- Running Horse, Airside Doncaster Airport
- Wild Rose, Bootle
- Edmund Halley, Lee Green
- Willow Grove, Southport
- Postal Order, Worcester
- North and South Wales Bank, Wrexham
- Sir John Stirling Maxwell, Glasgow
- Knight Templar, London
- Christopher Creek, Bournemouth
- Water House, Durham
- The Widow Frost, Mansfield
- The Worlds Inn, Romford
- Hudson Bay, Forest Gate
- Saltoun Inn, Fraserburgh
- The Bankers Draft, Eltham, London
- Sir John Arderne, Newark
- Capitol, Forest Hill
- Moon and Bell, Loughborough
- Nightjar, Ferndown
- General Sir Redvers Buller, Crediton
- Rising Sun, Redditch
- Butler’s Bell, Stafford – this has since reopened Davenports
- Millers Well, East Ham
- The Coronet, London
Meanwhile, Wetherspoon said it will make a major change to hundreds of its pubs next week. The vast majority of its 801 pubs across the country will screen the 2024 Paris Olympics, which start on Friday 26 July.
A booze spokesman said: “Wetherspoons pubs will be screening the Olympics. So wherever you are, you won’t miss the event in Paris.”
While the 33rd Summer Olympics officially begin next Friday with the opening ceremony, events such as soccer will begin on July 24, while archery begins on July 25.