The national chain, JD Wetherspoon was established in 1979 and operates a range of “award-winning” pubs and hotels across the whole of the UK and Ireland.
But fans of the famously cheap pub chain could have to bid farewell to their local this autumn.
A total of 13 “Spoons” sites will cease trading this autumn, some after decades of business and others just a few years after opening.
Wide closures will affect customers in Ireland too, who could face the loss of many JD Wetherspoons sites if the company seeks a buyer for its regional portfolio.
Four sites have been earmarked for sale, including three pubs which are currently trading and at risk of closure as a result.
All three pubs in Ireland have undergone extensive refurbishment and are being offered for sale in “turnkey condition”, according to the Irish Times.
A fourth property is the former Carbon Night Club at 19-21 Eglington Street in Galway, which is not trading but has recently been granted planning permission to permit licensed premises and restaurant use.
While the sale of JD Wetherspoon’s regional portfolio is a reversal of its original Irish expansion programme, the group will continue to operate in the Dublin market.
Its pub offerings in the area currently consist of The Forty Foot in Dún Laoghaire, The Great Wood in Blanchardstown, The Old Borough Hotel and Pub in Swords, The Silver Penny on Lower Abbey Street, and the Keavan’s Port Hotel and Pub on Upper Camden Street.
The Capitol in Forest Hill was the latest Wetherspoons to serve punters for the final time on Sunday, October 15 after JD Wetherspoon made the “commercial decision” to close the site.
Located at the former Capitol cinema, the iconic bar was described as a “rare survival” of a complete 1920s art deco picture house.
Fans of the chain took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their thoughts on the closure. One person wrote that the South East London pub was “impressive” while another opined: “The prettiest maybe but most definitely the grandest Wetherspoons in London. The Capitol in Forest Hill.”
The memorable pub will soon be joined by 11 more sites which will exit the high street this side of Christmas.
