Wetherspoons closes 39 pubs

I don't to be fair. It's become a crazy message board meme hasn't it? That I'm the only person pointing out brexit failures. It's funny,but we know it's not true
It isn't only you, I have been guilty of it myself, and we both could look down the board and find other examples.

As I said earlier, we all need to move on from it and try to get whatever is put in place right and not the poor decisions that are happening at present.

I still hope it will be reversed some day.
 
Maybe they got too big, remember the old adage/book “never too big to fail?”. I always thought they were in over their heads and you could argue they are one of the main components for the spiraling costs within the industry. Hopefully some small time enterprises or entrepreneurs can make a go of some of the empty spaces — and add stability to the industry.
 
I don’t give my custom to Wetherspoons, not because of the type of pub they are (they are cheap and cheerful and good value sure) but for the man who owns them.

I see yesterday he is quoted as saying to his customers “Stop watching Love Island and other reality TV shows and get back into my pubs”

Does he really understand his customers? Does he really empathise with their situation right now? I really don’t think he does.
 
I agree Brexit has exacerbated a lot of issues but that aside.

There are wider issues to the demise of some his pubs as well - which is affecting more than just Wetherspoons. Reverting back to some of my experiences when I used to go out regular. You would go to a Wetherspoons as it was a cheap place to go to prior to a night in a club. Everything was cheaper back then though. It was more affordable.

I’m not sure some of the younger generations tend to go out in the same way I used to do. I know some of my niece and nephews do a lot of house party pre drinking before going out late. They go direct to clubs. Killer for some pubs who rely on that trade.

Likewise, some of them go out less and keep money aside for going on days / nights out in York / Newcastle etc. as the general nightlife in Boro has been on the decline for a long time.

Interestingly, a friend from my local works as a Chef at The Bay Horse, and he reckons that’s constantly busy, but it’s a completely different type of clientele / target audience.

Wetherspoons has often relied on the binge drinking culture, selling cheap at high volumes. Whilst some of that still exists, I don’t think it’s to the same level as it historically has been, and a lot of others have to make financial choices in the current climate, which means cutting back on going out etc.
 
Despite the founder being a d*ck I have nothing against Weatherspoons. They have a great selection of beer at reasonable prices. Also, some of their pubs are in fantastic buildings. If you like architecture it must be appreciated.
 
Went in one by the Quayside in Newcastle Sunday Night, a round of a pint of Leffe and 2 double bells and coke was less than a tenner, lovely old building as well. Couldn’t fault it. You’re paying £5 - £6 a pint most other places on the Quayside.
 
You forgot to mention it's sad news for the hundreds of employees covering those 39 businesses and also the jobs affected in the supply chain to those businesses.

That is true, but we know the industry is currently screaming out for staff. I've never seen it so sparce.
 
Do the people who avoid Wetherspoons because of the owner apply the same thinking when it comes to other pubs I wonder. More than 50% of our pubs are owned by huge pub companies, it's these that have done more damage to our pub culture.
 
Wetherspoons serve a purpose. The swatters is one of the busiest pubs in Boro. The one in Harrogate is decent as well. It’s the pubs currently charging £5 and over for a pint of lager that deserve no customers.
Absolutely. One of the popular pubs in Billingham charge more per pint than Weatherspoons for a drink that is far less quality too. I'd prefer a decent pint of IPA in Spoons to a pint of rubbish Madri!
 
That is true, but we know the industry is currently screaming out for staff. I've never seen it so sparce.
It is. There is a sea of change going on in the industry though. Higher wages will hopefully start to attract more youngsters into the back of house part of the industry. There will always be jobs available and filled in a cycle of sorts for front of house positions. Helped of course by the new legislation that's currently been worked on regarding tips
 
I don’t give my custom to Wetherspoons, not because of the type of pub they are (they are cheap and cheerful and good value sure) but for the man who owns them.

I see yesterday he is quoted as saying to his customers “Stop watching Love Island and other reality TV shows and get back into my pubs”

Does he really understand his customers? Does he really empathise with their situation right now? I really don’t think he does.
I'm not bothered about customers going back into his pubs but I do agree with him that people should stop watching Love Island and other reality shows - he forgot to add sh1t before reality shows. 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
 
I know the Penderel’s Oak on High Holborn in London. Before the pandemic it was packed nearly every night. Went past it just before Xmas and it was a vast cavernous empty sad place.
It doesn't hellp that they have another pub just around the corner.

Not surprised to see the Loughton one, which is the closest to my home, closing. It's a smal venue and there's better pubs in the area.

I mainly drink in the one near where I work in Twickenham and I did wonder whether that might go, although I guess the flow of people for the rugby helps subsidise it.
 
It doesn't hellp that they have another pub just around the corner.

Not surprised to see the Loughton one, which is the closest to my home, closing. It's a smal venue and there's better pubs in the area.

I mainly drink in the one near where I work in Twickenham and I did wonder whether that might go, although I guess the flow of people for the rugby helps subsidise it.
There are two Spoons close to the Oak. The Knights Templar and the Shakespeares Head. It’s a busy area though and some off the pubs round there are still very busy. The Oak to me never looked like a welcoming premises.
 
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