Punters have shared their fears that jobs will be at risk and cheap pubs which are a ‘lifeline’ for communities may be lost when Wetherspoon sells 32 of its pubs across England.
The hospitality chain, which operates 800 pubs across the UK, said it has made the ‘commercial decision’ after previously warning it could face losses of up to £30million.
In a statement, company spokesman Eddie Gershon said: ‘On occasion, Wetherspoon does put some of its pubs up for sale. This is a commercial decision.
Scroll down to see the full list of pubs up for sale.
The Capitol, in Forest Hill, London, is the only listed building to go up for sale out of the 32
‘We understand that customers and staff will be disappointed with it. The pubs will continue to operate as Wetherspoon outlets until they are sold.’
Customers were left concerned that if the pubs were taken over by other proprietors, the more affordable option for many friends and families who still want to enjoy socialising in the pub atmosphere despite the cost of living crisis.
Kevin Cummins wrote on Twitter: ‘OK so 32 Wetherspoon pubs are being sold off. It might not be your thing but it allows people on low income/benefits to use a neighbourhood pub at a reasonable price.
‘With energy prices as they are, it’s cheaper for people to spend an afternoon in ‘spoons.
‘When ‘spoons in Balham closed, it reopened as a generic £6.50 a pint pub. The same beer that was £2.50 was now £4 a pint more.
‘How is that catering for marginalised people? I don’t give a toss about Tim Martin but I care about people without a neighbourhood pub.’
Another added: ‘I sometimes walk past the Water House in Durham.
‘It always seems to be full, is over the road from the bus station and near taxi ranks so ideally placed for lifts on a night out.’
A third Twitter user added: ‘I’ve been a lonely outlier on Wetherspoons before and I’ll do it again.
‘It’s a lifeline for the poor, elderly people in society who are placeless and employs many in our communities.
‘Cheering its downfall as you don’t have the same political opinion as its owner tells us all lots about you.’
Meanwhile, Adam Brooks, a publican and social commentator, added: ‘My local Wetherspoons is being sold, prime High Road position in an area with very affluent people but also nearby council estates.
‘If they are pulling out, imagine how hard the Independents are finding it. It will be a matter of “use it or lose it” for many local pubs this winter.’
Savills and CBRE will market the 32 properties which contain a combination of 10 freehold and 22 leasehold units.
The portfolio lists all 32 properties with annual rent ranging from £47,500 for the Malthouse in Willenhall to £288,000 for Penderel’s Oak in Holborn.
Paul Breen, Director at Savills commented: ‘Following the success of our earlier marketing campaigns for JD Wetherspoon we are delighted to be launching these 32 properties to the market.
‘These venues are well configured and fitted to a high standard which will make them appealing to a broad range of potential buyers.’
Agents said the sales represented a ‘rare opportunity to acquire substantial, landmark public houses with a high standard of fit out in high profile locations’.
Staff are expected to be transferred with the pubs ‘upon completion’, the agents said, in accordance with regulations.
Other pubs going up for sale include the Rising Sun in Redditch and the Resolution in Middlesborough.
One of the biggest pubs up for sale is the Grade II listed Capitol pub in Forest Hill, south east London.
The building started life as a cinema in the 1920s and remained one until the 1970s when it was transformed into a Bingo Hall until 1996.
The building still has the former cinema circle which is now used as managers’ officers and storage.
It is the only listed building to be included in the pubs which are going up for sale.
Earlier this year, Wetherspoon’s boss Tim Martin warned of ‘considerable’ pressure on costs as staffing and energy bills jumped amid concerns that the pub chain could have to raise prices.
Pub goers saw an increase in prices include a 20p rise for a pint in London.
Hope & Champion is the only pub not to be situated in a town or city as it is at a service station
Earlier this year, Wetherspoon’s boss Tim Martin warned of ‘considerable’ pressure on costs as staffing and energy bills jumped amid concerns that the pub chain could have to raise prices
In total, 32 pubs are going up for sale including the Christopher Creeke pub in Bournemouth
In the wake of the Chancellor’s ‘mini budget’ earlier this week, Martin then warned the proposed freeze on alcohol duty would not go far enough to help pubs as business chiefs warned hospitality jobs remained ‘on a knife edge’.
Responding to the announcement, Mr Martin told MailOnline: ‘An alcohol duty freeze is welcome but the real problem for pubs is that pay far higher business rates per pint than supermarkets and, in addition, pubs pay 20 per cent VAT on food sales and supermarkets pay nothing.
‘So long as this inequality persists, pubs will decline and supermarkets will thrive.’
