PUNTERS have been left shocked after Wetherspoons abruptly closed a “popular” pub in town centre without notice.
Doors of the Dockle Farmhouse on Bridge End Road, Swindon were found shut by locals who visited the boozer for a pint last Friday.
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The pub, managed by Wetherspoons, only had a sign on the doors that said the branch had been closed due to an unexpected situation, Swindon Advisor reports.
It read: “Due to unforeseen circumstances this pub will be closed until further notice. We apologise for the inconvenience.”
While the reason behind the shock closure is unknown, it has been suggested the pub could reopen again soon.
Baffled social media users flocked to Facebook to share their thoughts.
One person said: “I am not that surprised, to be honest.”
Another punter asked: “What’s happened at the Dockle Farm, just been asked to leave and closed until further notice?”
While a third suggested: “Back open Monday.”
However, it is all but certain the pub will not be open for the Euro 2024 final where England will take on Spain in a thrilling match.
It comes after Wetherspoons issued a huge update on its pub closure plans as almost a dozen boozers remain on the market.
The pub chain confirmed that it has sold or surrendered the lease on 26 pubs so far this year.
The Cross Keys in Peebles, Scotland and The Bear’s Head in Penarth are among the boozers that have been lost.
The Alfred Herring in Palmers, Green, London, is the most recent site to shut down for good.
Many pubs were listed for sale through the estate agent Savills, but some have quietly closed and changed hands without being listed.
Spoons, which has 801 pubs, said it has largely disposed of venues which are “smaller and older”, or where it has another branch in close proximity.
Meanwhile, locals could lose as many as 10 Wetherspoon drinking spots, which remain up for sale or under offer.
This means that a buyer has presented an offer that is being considered by the seller.
It doesn’t mean that the sale is guaranteed, and it could remain open if it doesn’t complete.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Wetherspoons boss Sir Tim Martin he is planning to ramp up plans to launch “Super Spoons” pubs – making existing sites even bigger.
Wetherspoons pubs that have closed
AS many as 53 Wetherspoon pubs have already closed their doors. Here’s the full list:
- The John Masefield, New Ferry
- Angel, Islington
- The Silkstone Inn, Barnsley
- The Billiard Hall, West Bromwich
- Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis, Southampton
- The Colombia Press, Watford
- The Malthouse, Willenhall
- The John Masefield, New Ferry
- Thomas Leaper, Derby
- Cliftonville, Hove
- Tollgate, Harringay
- Last Post, Loughton
- Harvest Moon, Orpington
- Alexander Bain, Wick
- Chapel an Gansblydhen, Bodmin
- Moon on the Square, Basildon
- Coal Orchard, Taunton
- Running Horse, Airside Doncaster Airport
- Wild Rose, Bootle
- Edmund Halley, Lee Green
- The Willow Grove, Southport
- Postal Order, Worcester
- North and South Wales Bank, Wrexham
- The Sir John Stirling Maxwell, Glasgow
- The Knight’s Templar, London
- Christopher Creeke, Bournemouth
- The Water House, Durham
- The Widow Frost, Mansfield
- The Worlds Inn, Romford
- Hudson Bay, Forest Gate
- The Saltoun Inn, Fraserburgh
- The Bankers Draft, Eltham, London
- The Sir John Arderne, Newark
- The Capitol, Forest Hill
- Moon and Bell, Loughborough
- Nightjar, Ferndown
- General Sir Redvers Buller, Crediton
- The Rising Sun, Redditch
- The Butlers Bell, Stafford
- Millers Well, East Ham
- Foxley Hatch, Purley
- The Coronet, London
- The Percy Shaw, Halifax
- Resolution, Middlesborough
- Asparagus, Battersea
- The Sir Norman Rae, Shipley
- The Market Cross, Holywell
- The White Hart, Todmorden
- Resolution, Middlesbrough
- The Cross Keys, Peebles
- The Bear’s Head, Penarth
- The Lord Arthur Lee, Hampshire
- Alfred Herring, Palmers Green, London
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
Many Food and drink chains have been struggling in recent months as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
The brand plans to close 20 loss-making restaurants after a “challenging” start to the year.
Stonegate, has raised fears about its survival as it races to plug its debts.