The UK high street has dealt another devastating blow as a beloved Wetherspoons right in the heart of London is to close this weekend. Pub goes just have a couple more days to grab a pint in Baxter’s Court in Hackney, east London, as it will close its doors for good on November 2.
The closures don’t stop there, as just a week later, The Water Gate in Barnstaple will shut on November 9. The chain has been offloading some of its smaller or older pubs over the last couple of years, but has continued to open other sites. However, locals have been left reeling at the news, with Hackney residents branding Baxter’s Court’s closure as “utterly ridiculous”.
One punter said: “This part of North London is hardly blessed with many Spoons to begin with.” Another fan said: “What a shame. used to go there loads in college, loved the ‘roof terrace’ upstairs.
“I’ve been going there for years, it’s one of the few affordable places left to meet friends without feeling rushed out. Losing it feels like the end of an era”, said a third on Reddit.
In Barnstaple, reaction to The Water Gate’s closure has been equally emotional. One local posted on Facebook: “It’s been a staple of the high street for years. I’ve spent many evenings there with family, it’s sad to see another piece of the town disappear.”
Another described the pub as a “superb spoons”.
Both pubs, along with four others, were put up for sale by Wetherspoons in June.
These pubs are:
- The Babington Arms, Derby
- Kentish Drovers, Peckham
- The Grey Friar, Preston
- The William Jameson, Sunderland
They will continue operating as Wetherspoons until they’re sold.
A spokesperson for Wetherspoons said the company has been “streamlining its portfolio”, selling smaller or older pubs while investing in new openings across the UK.
Last month, Wetherspoons signed a franchise deal with The Papas Group to open 15 new pubs, including one at Gateway Park in Lincoln on the site of a former Brewers Fayre. Additional sites in Annitsford, Stockton-on-Tees, and Emersons Green are also due to open by the end of November.
