Wetherspoons to close popular seaside pub for final time TODAY just weeks ahead of city centre branch shutting

WETHERSPOONS is set to close a popular seaside pub today – just weeks ahead of a city centre branch shutting.

The boozer, which sits inside a grade II listed building on the seafront, is shutting up shop after buyers stepped in to take on the site.

Quay in Poole, Dorset was taken over by Spoons in 1996.

News of the closure has upset many locals with one pub-goer saying he is utterly “gutted”.

Another called it the “end of a good run”.

Meanwhile, two other Spoons pubs were recently sold after being put on the market last October: The Hain Line in St Ives and Foot of the Walk in Leith.

Closure dates for these two pubs are yet to be revealed.

Last month, fresh figures published by the British Beer and Pub Association Association revealed around six pubs permanently closed every week last year, to the loss of 4,500 jobs.

The trade body found 289 boozers served last orders for the final time in 2024 across England and Wales.

It warned more pubs could shut this year too, with employer National Insurance contributions and the minimum wage being hiked.

From next month, the amount of NICs bosses have to pay on worker's wages will rise from 13.8% to 15% while the threshold at which they have to pay them will fall from £9,100 to £5,000.

This comes just days after the chain announced the closure of another one of its branches in Coventry.

The Spon Gate, named after one of the 12 gates in the city's medieval wall, will shut on May 25, but it is understood staff will be offered roles elsewhere in the business.

Once The Spon Gate shuts, it will leave punters with just two other Wetherspoons pubs in Coventry.

A spokesperson for Wetherspoons said: “It is a commercial decision taken by Wetherspoon.

“We thank all our staff and customers over the years.”

News of the closure has shocked locals, with many posting their disappointment at the move on Facebook.

One said: “It's the best one in town, not keen on the other two.”

A second commented: “The only decent place in Coventry for a nice meal and good priced drinks.

“So sad it's to close, thank you for the brilliant service we have received over the years.”

OTHER WETHERSPOONS NEWS

Wetherspoons has launched its annual Spring Beer Festival, with prices starting from £1.69.

The festival runs from March 5 to March 16 offering punters a selection of 30 international ales from across the globe.

The Wallaby, from Australia, is on tap, while customers can buy Estuary Session Ales, a Canadian tipple, or a chocolate porter from Italy.

You can find your nearest Spoons by visiting www.jdwetherspoon.com/pub-search.

Spoons also launched a £2.99 breakfast deal last month, with customers able to get a breakfast muffin or small breakfast with soft or hot drink.

There are also veggie options available, which is served between 8am and midday.

Meanwhile tea and toast, which comes with two slices and either jam or marmalade, is just £2.49.

It's not been all good news for Wetherspoons punters in recent months though.

The pub chain exclusively revealed to Flying Eze in January it had increased the price of a host of drinks and meal deals by up to 30p.

The chain hiked prices on drinks by 15p while meal deals were bumped up by 30p.

The price rises saw the cost of a Guinness at the London and South Western branch in south west London go from £4.66 to £4.81.

Meanwhile, the price of a Strongbow increased from £3.24 to £3.39.

The average price of a meal deal at Spoons without an alcoholic drink was £4.99 and with a drink was £6.52 before the change.

But the 30p rise means they now cost £5.29 and £6.82, respectively.

Spoons said a number of drinks had not gone up in price, including all draught lagers such as Budweiser, Carling and Coors.

Spoons boss Tim Martin said the pub chain had “tried to remain as competitive as possible” with its pricing.