‘Impressive’ Wetherspoons pub SAVED from closure as another ‘run down’ branch shuts for good

WETHERSPOONS has saved an “impressive” pub from closure, but another site has closed its doors for good.

It comes after a Chesterfield-based pub, owned by the pub giant, was put on the market in September last year.

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It comes as Wetherspoon reported a surge in sales in its half-year results, with revenue hitting almost £ 1billion[/caption]

However, The Spa Lane Vaults, located on St Mary’s Gate, has been pulled from the market and will now remain open for good, according to Wetherspoons.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We can confirm that The Spa Lane Vaults pub in Chesterfield is no longer for sale.

“It will continue to run as a Wetherspoon pub. We are sure that this news will be welcomed by the pub’s staff and customers.”

Reacting to the news on Facebook, one local punter said: “This is great news. I was worried I wouldn’t have anywhere to take the wife to for a meal.”

Another said: “Was a bizarre decision to ever put it up for sale.”

“I hope this is true. The place is never empty,” said a third punter.

However, it’s not all good news for Wetherspoon fans.

Another pub placed up for sale last year has officially closed its doors for good.

The Mockbeggar Hall JD Wetherspoon on Hoylake Road in Moreton, Wirral, has now shut its doors to punters.

Wetherspoon’s spokesperson, Eddie Gershon, said: “We can confirm that The Mockbeggar Hall has now closed.

“We would like to thank our staff and customers for their loyalty over the years.

“Wetherspoon does, on occasion, close or sell some of its pubs, and this is the case here.”

The venue is rumoured to be reopening in May but what will be in its place is yet to be confirmed.

However, some local punters aren’t surprised about this closure as many dubbed the venue “run down”.

It comes as Wetherspoon reported a surge in sales in its half-year results, with revenue hitting almost £ 1billion.

For the 26 weeks ended 28 January 2024, like-for-like sales increased 9.9%, while revenue increased 8.2% to £991million.

Operating profit increased 81% £67.7m, while profit before tax surged 682% from £4.6million in the first half of 2023 to £36million.

Commenting on the results, Tim Martin, the chairman of JD Wetherspoon plc, said: “Sales continue to improve. In the last 7 weeks, to 17 March 2024, like-for-like sales increased by 5.8%.For the 26 weeks ended 28 January 2024, like-for-like sales increased 9.9%, while revenue increased 8.2% to £991m.

“The company continues to be concerned about the possibility of further lockdowns and about the efficacy of the government enquiry into the pandemic, which will not be concluded for several years.

“The company currently anticipates a reasonable outcome for the financial year, subject to our future sales performance.”