Leeds residents fear a new Wetherspoon pub will bring “drunkenness and unpleasant behaviour” to their picturesque market town and devastate local bars and restaurants.
One married couple is pleading with JD Wetherspoon owner Tim Martin to “find somewhere more suitable in another town,” suggesting 50 miles away from their 'conservative' town, with Sheffield as their first choice.
Plans are in motion for the pub chain giant to come to Wetherby, a quaint and charming north Leeds town in LS22. It’s known for its flower displays, having a variety of independent bars, cafes and shops and peaceful country walks along the River Wharfe.
Read more: 'Angry' Leeds bus passengers fume over 'barmy' timetable
JD Wetherspoon is currently exchanging contracts for the now vacant Sant’ Angelo building on High Street. The Italian restaurant closed down for good last month due to the rising energy costs.
The creamy yellow building is in the heart of the town. It previously operated as a pub called The Angel for many years, and is expected to be called that once again if Spoons takes over.
Wetherspoon has said the company would be “happy” to meet with residents to discuss any concerns prior to opening if permission is granted. It has insisted the pub would be a “benefit” to the area, pointing out it will create 50 new jobs after they've spent £2.25 million to redevelop the venue.
Grandparents Christina and Derek Brown, 76 and 75, respectively, are worried about Wetherspoon and its clientele creating a “disturbance”. The grandparents-of-four are beside themselves over the loss of their favourite restaurant and were still in mourning when they heard of Wetherspoon's plans.
Furrowing his brow, retired head teacher Derek said: “It’s not very good. I don’t like Wetherspoon. They tend to create a disturbance. There’s a lot of drunkenness and unpleasant behaviour.
“Sant’ Angelo was always a conservative unit, there was a lot of activity but there was never any fuss. It was packed out and it was so supported, it’s just a shame the family are no longer running it.”
Christina, a retired children’s dentist, said: “Oh my lovely Sant’ Angelos. I don’t want it to close.
“It is such lovely place. We know the whole family and they’re gorgeous. My family will miss it. It was vibrant, we frequented it nearly every other week.”
The married couple are also deeply concerned about how a Wetherspoon pub will affect the Wetherby high street. Derek said: “It would be detrimental to local businesses. It can’t be positive.
“We’ve got lots of facilities for eating and we’ve got some fantastic pubs. The high street is vibrant. We don’t need another pub.”
Asked what he would say to Spoons boss Tim Martin, Derek said: “I don’t think you want to print that! Go and find another more suitable venue in another town. How about Sheffield or somewhere like that?”
'Our town is too conservative'
Retired architect James Jones, 82, has doubts the “conservative” residents of Wetherby would visit a Wetherspoon pub.
James said: “I’m very sad about Sant’ Angelos closing. We’d go for special occasions as it was bloody expensive. Wetherspoon will be radically different – as long as the building is being used, I don’t mind. I’d go there for a quick pint to have a nose around but I don’t think it’s a place I’ll frequent.
“This is a very conservative town with their noses in the air, how he [Tim Martin] is going to appeal to people like that, I don’t know.”
David Atkinson, 68, thinks Wetherspoon will “corner the market” in Wetherby as he thinks the town has become "a bit dead".
David said: “It’s a shame really. It was a very popular restaurant. I’m fine with a Wetherspoon, it would be better than nothing. If this was empty, then it wouldn’t be good.
“I think it will do other bars and cafes good as they’re all empty anyway. I think they’ll corner the market if they opened. Since the pandemic, my children think Wetherby is a bit dead so they go into Leeds [city centre] now. I think this will make it less dead because this is the heart of Wetherby.”
Luke, 31, who didn’t want his last name published as he works in the hospitality industry, is also worried the giant pub chain could kill local businesses. He couldn’t hold back his “disappointment” over the unwelcome news.
Luke said: “Another Wetherspoon! Wetherby is nice with local businesses. You want to keep the other bigger entities out. You need to let the people flourish. Times are hard. The more successful small businesses we have, the better the economy is going to be. We don’t need another Wetherspoon.
“I’m disappointed, it’s just more of the same. There’s loads of little pubs and cafes around here, it seems a Wetherspoon would just suck up so much of that business which is really needed.”
'A benefit to Wetherby,' insists Wetherspoon
In response to the concerns raised, Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “Wetherspoon operates just under 850 pubs, many with local residents nearby.
“The company has built up a wide range of policies and procedures to ensure its pubs do not cause disturbance and noise to its neighbours. Should the company be granted the necessary permissions for the proposed pub, we will be happy to meet with local residents prior to opening to answer any questions that they might have.
“It is not our experience that when Wetherspoon opens a pub, that it has a negative effect on other businesses in a town. Instead, the pub can attract more visitors to the town centre, who will visit other shops and venues to the benefit of the area as a whole. Our proposed pub will also employ up to 50 people in full and part-time roles.”
What are your thoughts on a new Wetherspoon pub coming to Leeds? Comment below.
Read next:
- Leeds flats 'designed for working from home' given go-ahead in city centre
- 'Dirty' Leeds takeaway with no working hand washing basin handed one star food hygiene rating
- Leeds mum slams 'rude' housing officers as 'hundreds' of wasps swarm home
- Leeds residents 'anxious and angry' at threat of new McDonald's along Otley run
- Ali's Kitchen in Boston Spa review: Curry house disappointingly serves up over-cooked and meagre dishes
