‘So disappointed’ moan punters as Wetherspoons calls last orders at ‘very busy’ pub leaving drinkers

WETHERSPOONS fans said goodbye to their beloved branch today as the huge chain continues to close pubs across the UK.

The Sir Norman Rae in Market Street, Shipley, West Yorkshire, called last orders for the final time today (March 24).

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There are currently more than a dozen Wetherspoons branches under offer and five pubs for sale.[/caption]

It was among 11 additional pubs Wetherspoons put up for sale in September last year.

Punters face losing as many as 20 Wetherspoons’ on top of the 44 that have already closed their doors for good.

Disappointed pubgoers took to social media to voice their sadness at the loss of another Wetherspoons.

One punter wrote: “So disappointed that this Wetherspoons is too close.

“It will be missed.”

“Another nail, in the coffin for Shipley town centre,” said another.

A third added: “Bang goes our regular dinner, a few pints for me and a couple of wines for the wife, on a Thursday night.”

And a fourth cried: “Shame.

“Good value breakfast there.

“Cheaper than the Bingley and Bradford ones.

“Shipley hasn’t got much left going for it anymore.”

One regular described the branch as “gloriously presented” on a Google review.

Wetherspoons spokesperson said: “The final trading day for The Sir Norman Rae is March 24.

“It is a pub that Wetherspoon put on the market a while back and it has now exchanged to sell it.

“We won’t disclose who it has been sold to.

“Wetherspoon does, on occasion, sell some pubs and this is the case here.”

The closure comes despite Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin’s plans to have 1,000 pubs across the country after raking in an eye-watering £1billion in record sales.

Overall sales for the pub giant rose by 8 per cent to £991million with pre-tax profits bouncing back to £36million from £4.6million the previous year.

The cost-of-living crisis and rising beer prices have made Wetherspoons more popular to cash-strapped punters and Mr Martin has promised not to raise the price of its £5.40 breakfast.

Nonetheless. the chain – which has 827 pubs across the UK – Warned punters in September 2023 that it was putting dozens of its pubs for sale.

It is common for pub chains and retailers to open and close sites to rebalance their books and ensure they’re trading in areas where there is demand.

There are currently more than a dozen Wetherspoons branches under offer and five pubs for sale.

This means that a buyer has presented an offer that the seller is considering.

It doesn’t mean that the sale is guaranteed, and it could remain open if it doesn’t complete.

The five pubs that are up for sale are:

• The Pontlottyn, Abertillery
• The Ivor Davies, Cardiff
• The Market Cross, Holywell
• The Rochester Castle, London
• Foot of the Walk, Edinburgh

14 Wetherspoons branches are currently under offer:

• Asparagus, Battersea, London
• Wrong ‘Un, Bexleyheath
• The Gate House, Doncaster
• Jolly Sailor, Bristol
• The Mockbeggar Hall, Moreton
• The Alfred Herring, Palmers Green
• The Cross Keys, Pebbles
• The White Heart, Todmorden
• Spa Lane Vaults, Chesterfield
• Lord Arthur Lee, Fareham
• The Regent, Kirkby in Ashfield
• The Sir Daniel Arms, Swindon
• The Hain Line, St Ives
• The Quay, Poole
• Thomas Drummond, Fleetwood

It comes after a map revealed which parts of the UK have the most pubs per square mile.

And check out the ‘hidden’ Wetherspoons unlike any other in the UK – with sport on the TVs and no sticky carpet.