JD Wetherspoon shuts only wedding licensed pub
Central London venue the Knights Templar in Chancery Lane closed on Saturday after its lease came to an end.
JDW spokesperson Eddie Gershon said the pubco decided not to take up an option to renew the lease as it had two other pubs within a short distance.
“We’ve had 24 great years at the pub and are very grateful to our amazing managers, Gerry and Jan Swords, their equally amazing team who work in the pub and to our wonderful and loyal customers,” he said.
Gershon added JDW was also grateful to the landlords with whom they’d maintained an “excellent relationship”.
All staff will be offered jobs at nearby pubs.
Up for sale
This comes after the operator announced it was backing out of a £3m development in New Brighton, Merseyside, leaving land up for sale.
The Master Mariner, Wirral, which opened in 2013, was gearing up to a major revamp, which included expanding the adjoining Lacy’s Bar.
The seaside venue closed in March 2022 for the refurbishment. Works were set to finish in August, but the pub chain announced its door had to remain shut while works continued, with no date given for when guests could return.
JDW spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “JDW can confirm that it has stopped redevelopment work at The Master Mariner pub (New Brighton) and will not progress with the work.” He confirmed the building and land would be put up for sale.
Shutting up shop
Last September, the pubco confirmed it would sell 32 pubs after appointing CBRE and Savills to place the sites on the market.
JDW said it was looking to dispose of 10 freeholds and 22 leasehold units.
In November 2022, a further seven pubs were put up for sale with the same property agents.
On New Year’s Eve, the firm permanently shut the Edmund Halley in Lewisham, south London, closely followed by the Postal Order in Worcester on 9 January.
