10 February 2024 , 23:04
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A hugely popular pub has left its punters bereft after closing, but it's not a permanent move as the boozer is to be given a stunning refit.
Fans of Wetherspoons' Talk of the Town in Paignton, Devon were shocked as the pub turned away its faithful punters just as the weekend was about to really get going. However, the company said it was only so they can give it a whopping £2.1 million makeover which will extend it into the adjoining premises.
The work will also result in a new bar and larger kitchen, both of which will please locals as the pub will increase its capacity for customers, who will be able to partake in the new pleasures on offer from May 14. It comes after Wetherspoons snapped up a restaurant next door in 2022 with the plans being carried out now to the forefront in the minds of the company's bosses.
Sir Tim Martin is looking at expanding and extending his portfolio of properties (Getty Images)According to The Sun, a spokesman for the chain confirmed last week: "The Talk of the Town closes this Saturday, February 3, for extensive refurbishment and expansion work to be carried out, at a cost of approximately £2.1 million. The scheme is set to extend the pub into the next door premises and refurbish the current pub building."
The investment comes in the face of more permanent closures across Britain, with the chain is still aiming to claim 1,000 venues. Boss Sir Tim Martin is determined to build on his 814-strong portfolio, but that is a decrease from 951 in 2015. As reported by The Times, he said: "We’ve sold a number of pubs over the years, especially where we’ve opened two pubs close to each other in small or medium-sized towns.
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"We’ve also surrendered a number of leasehold pubs to the landlord, where leases have come to the end. We have 814 pubs today and estimate there is potential for about 1,000. Although there have been some disposals, sales are nearly a billion pounds higher than 10 or 11 years ago."
Just recently, the chain warned it was putting dozens of its pubs up for sale. In December, 20 Wetherspoons were up for sale with eight under offer, leaving fans gutted that their local branch could be lost forever. The Percy Shaw in Halifax called last orders on January 7 after Wetherspoon sold the venue to a new owner.
It comes as a number of UK pubs have closed their doors for good amid a turbulent economic backdrop due to a huge upturn in operating costs, inflation and, ironically Brexit. Tim Martin also said far more people now drink in their homes rather than in pubs.
But Wetherspoons is still trying to innovate with sales and promotions that still draw in punters. For instance, from March 6 customers will get the chance to sample a range of 30 different real ales including five from overseas brewers. Wetherspoons fans will get the opportunity to sample beers from Belgium, Germany, Italy, Taiwan and the USA.