Pub giant JD Wetherspoon has pulled the last pint at one of its popular establishments, with The Water Gate on The Strand in Barnstaple serving its final customers today.
Four More Pubs Face Uncertain Future
This closure is part of a wider sell-off, with four other Wetherspoons pubs across the country also put on the market and now at risk. The pubs facing an uncertain future are:
- The Babington Arms in Derby
- Kentish Drovers in Peckham
- The Grey Friar in Preston
- The William Jameson in Sunderland
The decision to sell these pubs was first announced by the UK's largest pub chain back in June.
Community Reaction and Company Statement
The closure has been met with disappointment from loyal patrons. One customer lamented the loss of the Barnstaple location, calling the decision "utterly ridiculous," while another shared fond memories of the pub's rooftop terrace from their college days.
Regarding the sale of The Babington Arms in Derby, Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon stated: "Wetherspoon has put The Babington Arms pub on the market. The pub will continue to operate as a Wetherspoon until it is sold."
He acknowledged that staff and customers would be disappointed but noted that the company "does on occasion put some of its pubs up for sale."
Staff and Local Impact
For some locations, the closure represents a significant blow to the local community. The listing of The Babington Arms comes just two years after another Wetherspoon pub in Derby, the Thomas Leaper, closed its doors in February 2023.
However, the company has confirmed that there will be no redundancies when The Grey Friar in Preston is sold, with all staff offered positions at other pubs within the chain.
Despite this, locals have expressed their sadness, with one calling the closure of Greyfriars the "end of an era" and another sharing happy memories of starting Friday nights at the establishment.
