JD Wetherspoons pubs are well-known, and well-used across the UK, with more than 820 of them dotted across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The pub chain has had a seemingly unwavering presence in communities since it opened in 1979 but has made big changes to its estate since 2022.
In September of that year, owner Tim Martin revealed the dozens of pubs would be put up for sale, many of which have since been closed down or relocated.
This month has seen a fresh wave of closures, the latest of which to go was the White Hart in Todmorden, Yorkshire.
The Wetherspoons had been a pillar in the local town for 13 years and served as a go-to for family meals for local resident Samuel Murray.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, the 18-year-old university student revealed that the pub, which closed down days ago on March 10, marks more than just a sad loss for the community.
He said: “I am a bit of a Wetherspoon’s fan, it has to be said. Although I no longer live in Todmorden, it’s my hometown – I’m at university now but I’m very upset that it’s closed. I got told the White Hart was closing by my great grandma, I thought she was joking, you know, because it’s always busy, and it’s always been a part of the town to me.
“It’s right next to the train station, you always go there when you’re leaving or just coming back to the town. So it was quite a shock.”
While Samuel hasn’t had long been able to enjoy an alcoholic drink at the pub, he explained that his memories at the Todmorden Wetherspoons were about much more than just cheap drinks.
The student said: “So we’d often have breakfast there if we were going on holiday or visiting other relatives around the country because it’s right next to the train station. I’m often leaving for the airport, so we’d often say goodbye there, or greet people, you know? Whenever I go back to Todmorden, my mum usually meets me there for a drink.”
Speaking about the recent closure of the White Hart, Samuel explained that the thought of it not being there when he next visits home is “slightly strange” because of how many memories he has there.
Reflecting on his fondest times spent at the White Hart, the Todmorden local recalled: “One thing that is a very special memory – my older sister died a few years ago now, but the last meal that we had together was there. You know that’s how important it is because you go there all the time. It isn’t just about the actual building, it’s about the company that’s there.”
As reported by Yorkshire Live, Wetherspoons declined to comment on what the new purchasers are doing with the former pub. However, it did confirm that the staff will be relocated to other neighbouring branches.
Eddie Gershon, a spokesman for the pub chain said: “We understand that staff and customers will be disappointed by the decision to sell the pub. However, Wetherspoon, does on occasion, put some pubs up for sale and this is the case with the Todmorden pub.”
According to Samuel, the closure could leave locals at a loss unless something similar replaces the “spoons” pub, claiming: “There’s a lot of pubs and a lot of cafes [in Todomorden] but there are not a lot of places that are pubs and restaurants.”
He added that he hoped that Wetherspoons would move back into the building, “or at the very least that another pub comes in with a similar family-friendly feel”.
The closure of the Yorkshire free house is just the start of more closures. In nearby Shipley, punters will face the loss of their local “spoons” known as The Sir Norman Rae in Market Street, on March 24.
An additional five pubs remain up for sale, including:
- The Pontlottyn, Abertillery
- The Ivor Davies, Cardiff
- The Market Cross, Holywell
- The Rochester Castle, London
- Foot of the Walk, Edinburgh
Meanwhile, 13 Wetherspoons branches are currently under offer:
- Asparagus, Battersea, London
- Wrong ‘Un, Bexleyheath
- The Gate House, Doncaster
- Jolly Sailor, Bristol
- The Mockbeggar Hall, Moreton
- The Alfred Herring, Palmers Green
- The Cross Keys, Pebbles
- Spa Lane Vaults, Chesterfield
- Lord Arthur Lee, Fareham
- The Regent, Kirkby in Ashfield
- The Sir Daniel Arms, Swindon
- The Hain Line, St Ives
- The Quay, Poole
