WETHERSPOONS is about to start work on a new mega-boozer — complete with Britain’s biggest beer garden.
The pub chain will plough in £5million to create its first “Super Spoons”, which will have a 26-bedroom hotel and an army of around 200 staff.
Work starts on Monday to expand The Mile Castle in Newcastle — already one of the area’s largest boozers.
It will double in size, with the chain’s first hotel in the city going up next door, plus a 3,000sq ft outdoor space.
The pub will be closed from June 24 until its re-opening day on September 3.
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The hotel, which will open in November, is being built within the building, formerly the home of law firm Samuel Phillips.
Plans predict the development will result in 70 new full and part-time jobs, to add to the 130 people already employed at the pub.
The Super Spoons idea has been in development since 2018 but was halted by Covid.
The refurbishment will include new carpet, upgraded lighting, extending the bar on the third floor and creating a new cellar.
Spoons bosses say that in the hotel, all rooms will be en-suite, with two designed specifically for guests with disabilities.
Wetherspoons boss Sir Tim Martin said: “The investment highlights our commitment to the pub, its customers and staff, as well as the city of Newcastle.
"The Mile Castle is an extremely popular pub and we are confident that our customers will welcome the work being undertaken in the pub as well as the creation of our first hotel in the city."
Currently, the nearest Wetherspoon hotel is in Whitby, at The Angel Hotel, where prices start at £65 per night.
JD Wetherspoon opened its first hotel in 1998 in Shrewsbury and now has 67 around the UK.
OTHER SPOONS NEWS
The pub chain shared the latest developments in its trading report- an update on its financial condition and operations - which came out today.
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Wetherspoons has confirmed that 18 pubs have been sold, or surrendered to the landlord so far this year.
The Percy Shaw in Halifax, The Asparagus in London and The Lord Arthur Lee in Fareham have all been lost this year.
Many pubs were listed for sale through the estate agent Savills, but some have quietly closed and changed hands without being listed.
Meanwhile, locals could lose as many as 17 Wetherspoons 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.
Pubs in Cardiff, London, Bristol, Leith and Poole all remain on the market.
But it's not all bad news for drinkers, as the chain also opened two pubs this year.
The Lion and Unicorn opened at London's Waterloo station in early April.
Plus, Wetherspoon opened its first pub at a holiday park at Haven’s Primrose Valley in Filey, North Yorkshire in March.
Meanwhile, Wetherspoons has axed 18 drinks from its menu as part of a major shake up.
Plus, the pub giant is making a major change at hundreds of its pubs next month - and some punters are set to miss out.
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