JD Wetherspoon has confirmed it will open six new pubs across the UK this September, with the lineup headlined by the company's first-ever airport venue at Manchester Airport. The new openings also include a university campus site and a pub in Bedford, among others.
The Manchester Airport pub, named The Belle Vue, will be located in the Terminal 2 Departures lounge and will have more than 300 covers across a 338 square metre space. The name and décor pay tribute to the historic Belle Vue showground, a Victorian-era entertainment complex that featured a pub, zoological gardens, and a stadium used for greyhound racing and speedway.
The Belle Vue Stadium served as a social hub in Manchester until its final event in 2020. The area remains home to the National Speedway Stadium, which opened in 2016 as part of the Belle Vue Sports Village.
Six New Wetherspoons Pubs Opening in September
The complete list of confirmed openings includes:
- The Marshfield Bank Farm House in Crewe – September 1
- The Red Gown at St Andrew's University – September 4
- The Heath in Southampton – September 8
- The Belle Vue at Manchester Airport – date not specified
- The Cranborne Hundred – September 16
- The Fletton Brick in Bedford – September 29
The Manchester Airport venue is part of the airport's £1.3bn transformation programme, which has already seen a range of new retail and dining options open in Terminal 2.
Airport and Wetherspoons Leadership Comment on New Venue
Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said: “We’re very excited to be able to reveal more detail about Terminal 2’s new JD Wetherspoon pub The Belle Vue, which will encapsulate the spirit and traditions of sporting entertainment in Manchester. This will be the first JD Wetherspoon pub at Manchester Airport and it is fantastic to have yet another household name taking its place among those opening units in the terminal, as part of its £1.3bn transformation.”
Richard Jackson, Retail Director at the airport, added: “From the outset of the transformation programme, we were keen to ensure we had a varied food and drink offering in the terminal with a strong sense of place and the Belle Vue will complement the existing bars and pubs in Terminal 2, expanding the choice on offer to passengers, with something to suit all tastes and budgets. Our new Boutique Mall in Terminal 2, featuring a number of fashion's big names, will open this summer too - so it is shaping up to be an exciting few months.”
JD Wetherspoon Chief Executive, John Hutson, said: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport. We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”
Impact on Passengers and Local Communities
The new airport pub is expected to expand dining choices for passengers using Terminal 2, which has been undergoing a major upgrade. The other five openings will bring Wetherspoons to new locations across England and Scotland, including a university campus site at St Andrew's, potentially serving students and staff.
With the September openings spread across the month, the company is continuing its pattern of steady expansion despite broader challenges in the hospitality sector. The new venues are set to provide additional employment opportunities in their respective areas, though specific job numbers have not been disclosed.
