An area of Merseyside has been left in "complete disarray" after JD Wetherspoon pulled out of a key project.
The Master Mariner in New Brighton, Wirral, had been the subject of a £3 million revamp which included expanding into the adjoining Lacy’s Bar. The pub originally opened in 2013 on the site of the former RJs and the Playas Lounge nightclubs.
In March 2022 the seaside bar and restaurant closed as work began on the transformation. Work was set to be completed in August of the same year but the pub chain announced that its doors had to remain closed while works continued, with no date given when people could return.
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But a spokesperson for Wetherspoons confirmed the development will not be taken any further, with the original project behind schedule and left incomplete. The move is said to be a “commercial decision” with the building and land being put up for sale.
Wallasey MP Angela Eagle described the decision as "incredibly frustrating news."
She added: "The development and investment in our local community and the creation of local jobs through the renovated pub was a welcome prospect, so I am disappointed to hear that Wetherspoons has decided to end the redevelopment for good and put the site up for sale.
"As it currently stands, the site is in complete disarray and is an eyesore for the local community - sadly, Wetherspoons are leaving the Master Mariner far worse off than they found it."
While Wetherspoons had pointed towards its commercial decision for pulling the plug on the expansion, the building itself had been the centre of a number of issues. The former Lacy's Bar building, a key part of the expansion, presented a significant hurdle for the reopening due to its "poor state" when works were taking place.
In a statement released to the ECHO on Tuesday, Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “Wetherspoon can confirm that it has stopped redevelopment work at The Master Mariner pub (New Brighton) and will not progress with the work. The building and the land is to be put up for sale.
“All staff will continue to work at other Wetherspoon pubs and there will be no redundancies as a result of the pub being sold. This is a commercial decision by Wetherspoon.
“The company remains committed to the Wirral and have a number of pubs in the region, including the recently opened pub in Heswall.”
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