Wetherspoons to shut ‘the best' city-centre pub in DAYS leaving punters gutted
ANOTHER Wetherspoons pub is set to close this month much to the dismay of customers.
The Spon Gate in
2
The Spon Gate Wetherspoons was named after one of Coventry's gates
Credit: Wetherspoons
2
The pub will serve its last customers at the end of the month
Credit: Wetherspoons/Google maps
The popular UK pub company opened The Spon Gate as a Wetherspoons in July 2010, taking its name from one of the 12 gates around the medieval city's walls.
Two Wetherspoons pubs, The Flying Standard and The Earl of Mercia, will continue to operate in Coventry city centre.
It is understood that staff have been offered positions at these remaining locations.
Wetherspoons spokesperson, Eddie Gershon, said:
"It is a commercial decision taken by
Wetherspoon.
"We thank all our staff and customers over the years."
Punters have taken to social media to express their disappoint at the news of what they have labelled "the best" pub.
A Facebook user said: "It's the best one in town, not keen on the other two."
A second commented: "The only decent place in Coventry for a nice meal and good priced drinks.
Most read in Money
"So sad it's to close, thank you for the brilliant service we have received over the years."
A third chipped in: "Another bar closing. The city is dying fast."
Why are pubs closing?
Meanwhile, a fourth added: "Another pub bites the dust."
Prior to becoming a Wetherspoons pub, The Spon Gate was a Chicago Rock Cafe on Spon Street, near St John's Church.
The gate from which it derived its name was demolished in 1771, after surviving Charles II left it as one of the remaining wall gates in 1662.
The pub has since kept photographs and drawings decorated around its walls to show Coventry's medieval history.
Last month, figures published by the British Beer and Pub Association Association also revealed around six pubs permanently closed every week last year, with the loss of 4,500
jobs
.
The trade body found 289 boozers served last orders for the final time in 2024 across
England
and
Wales
.
With employer National Insurance contributions being hiked with the minimum wage, more pubs are expected to shut this year too.
It has therefore not been all good news for Wetherspoons punters in recently.
The pub chain also exclusively revealed to The Sun in January it had increased the price of a host of drinks and meal deals by up to 30p.
Prices on drinks were hiked by 15p, while meal deals were increased by 30p.
Read more on the Irish Sun
Wetherspoons said a number of drinks, though, had not gone up in price including all draught lagers like Budweiser, Carling and Coors.
Boss
How can I save money at Wetherspoons?
FREE refills - Buy a £1.50 tea, coffee or hot chocolate and you can get free refills. The deal is available all day, every day.
Check a map
- Prices can vary from one location the next, even those close to each other.
So if you're planning a pint at a Spoons, it's worth popping in nearby pubs to see if you're settling in at the cheapest.
Choose your day
- Each night the pub chain runs certain food theme nights.
For instance, every Thursday night is curry club, where diners can get a main meal and a drink for a set price cheaper than usual.
Pick-up vouchers -
Students can often pick up voucher books in their local near universities, which offer discounts on food and drink, so keep your eyes peeled.
Get appy
- The Wetherspoons app allows you to order and pay for your drink and food from your table - but you don't need to be in the pub to use it.
Taking full advantage of this, cheeky customers have used social media to ask their friends and family to order them drinks. The app is free to download on the App Store or Google Play.
Check the date
- Every year, Spoons holds its Tax Equality Day to highlight the benefits of a permanently reduced tax bill for the pub industry.
It usually takes place in September, and last year it fell on Thursday, September 14.
As well as its 12-day Real Ale Festival every Autumn, Wetherspoons also holds a Spring Festival.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
My hardware shop survived two world wars, recessions & Covid – now Rachel Reeves has KO'd it after 160 years
FOR 160 years Mogford & Son has been a trusty hardware shop just like the one seen in the Two Ronnies' famous 'fork handles' sketch. But running a small independent shop has become no laughing matter for its current owner Paul Gillam. 5 After 160 years, surviving two world wars and Covid, rising costs have sounded the death knell for Mogford & Son Credit: Jon Rowley 5 A snap of W.H Mogfrod & Son taken in 1920 Credit: Jon Rowley 5 Current owner Paul Gillam has blamed rising costs, including Rachel Reeves' National Insurance hike, for having to shutter the store for good Credit: AP Because of a tsunami of rising costs, including Rachel Reeves' employer National Insurance increase, Paul, 57, has been forced to call it a day. At the end of September Mogford — one of Britain's oldest shops — will close its doors for the final time. This Aladdin's cave has survived two world wars, READ MORE UK NEWS Close to tears, Paul told The Sun: 'I'm working seven days a week but things have got more expensive. From staffing costs to National Insurance and bank charges. 'The car park up the road has started to charge £2, so people can no longer park for free, because the council is short of cash. My business rates keep going up. 'It's been a hard decision but I can't carry on.' Standing at the till, Paul is surrounded by thousands of objects for the home, from bamboo and compost to jubilee clips and, of course, candles. Most read in The Sun He has a wry smile as he poses with four candles, like shopkeeper There are house numbers, bolts, rabbit food and aquarium cleaners all stacked neatly on shelving that has carried everything the local community could want for the past century and a half. Popular bank with over 400 spots confirms it is shutting 18 branches in August – it follows 148 closures by rivals Paul's wife Babs, 55, who has been working in the shop since two staff retired recently, not to be replaced, says: 'The Government say they want to keep High Streets open but then all the banks close. "Then the car parks start charging, then the shops close. People end up going online or to one of the big retailers.' The car park up the road has started to charge £2, so people can no longer park for free, because the council is short of cash. My business rates keep going up. Paul To try to counter the online threat, Paul's shop has a Facebook page and offers a delivery service. He charges £1 for anything under £20 and free delivery on orders over 20 quid. Paul makes just £1.60 on a bag of compost and in 30 years of working at Mogford he has never increased all his prices at once to keep pace with inflation. He raises prices as little as possible and he reluctantly puts a £3 limit on the card machine because of the cost of using it. Paul would have liked his daughter Sophie and grandson James to take over but he decided they would be better off in jobs with a future . Paul remembers walking past Mogford's shop as a boy. He says: 'There was everything round here. 'Clothes shops, shoe shops, butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers. You could get every single thing you wanted.' He points across the road to the shops that have closed down — a newsagent's, a women's accessories shop and a shoe repair bar. He says: 'When Covid happened, we were considered an essential business. I will close the doors with a heavy heart Paul 'We extended our hours, opening at 6am and not closing until 9pm because our footfall went up so much with people working from home, and we wanted to help.' When The Sun visited, all morning there was a steady stream of customers coming in to buy goods from washers to dog bowls , super glue to carpet cleaner. Paul knows most of them by name and all seem upset that the shop will be gone in just ten weeks' time. They say it's the latest nail in the coffin for their High Street and they don't know what they'll do when Paul locks up for the final time. He says: 'I will close the doors with a heavy heart. 'It's not for lack of trying either but there's simply nothing I can do. I'm breaking even and have been for a while, so I've been left with no choice.' 5 Paul told The Sun: 'I'm working seven days a week but things have got more expensive. From staffing costs to National Insurance and bank charges' Credit: Jon Rowley 5 Paul knows most of the customers by name, and all seem upset that the shop will be gone in just ten weeks' time Credit: Jon Rowley
The Irish Sun
13-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Former England star Trevor Sinclair declared bankrupt after ‘burying head in sand' over £36k tax bill
FORMER England star Trevor Sinclair has been declared bankrupt after "burying his head in the sand" over a £36,000 tax debt. The footballer made a fortune during his career with QPR, 5 Trevor Sinclair has been declared bankrupt Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 5 He won 12 caps for England before retiring in 2008 But he failed to pay taxes and penalties totalling £36,424 in relation to his TV and radio career between 2021 and 2022. As a result, Sinclair was told to come up with the cash or find an alternative way to pay. The ex-Premier League star failed to turn up to court though and has now been made bankrupt in his absence. Judge Caroline Wilkinson said HMRC had received no contact from the former star and concluded that he is "unable to pay his debts as they fall due." The case previously reached Central London County Court in April when the judge heard that Sinclair ended up owing a sizeable chunk of cash to the taxman after his accountant died. His bill included more than £13,000 for work as a pundit, plus outstanding National Insurance and penalty payments. HMRC barrister Shabab Rizvi saying: "The debtor is a former Premier League footballer and should have the means to satisfy the debt, but there's been no contact with HMRC at all." However, the case was adjourned to give him more time to pay after his lawyer Robert Lee told the court Sinclair was working in the media and "currently in receipt of a job offer in Saudi Arabia." Most read in Football He said the debt arose from Sinclair "being considered self-employed when he ought not to have been." Judge Wilkinson granted the adjournment on the basis Sinclair face up to his impending bankruptcy . He said: "Mr Sinclair has to wake up to the fact that there's no more head in the sand because this is serious". The case returned to court yesterday, where the judge was told Sinclair had failed to materialise. Granting the bankruptcy order, Judge Wilkinson said the case had been paused for Sinclair to consider pursuing an alternative to bankruptcy such as an "individual voluntary arrangement". She continued: "Mr Sinclair is not in attendance today and no proposals have been put forward for paying his debt. "In the circumstances, the court finds that Mr Sinclair is unable to pay his debts as they fall due and it will make the bankruptcy order." Sinclair received 12 caps for His famous bicycle kick goal for QPR against Read more on the Irish Sun Sinclair hung up his boots in 2008 but he returned to screens as a pundit for TV and radio. However, this came to an end in 2022 when he questioned why "black and brown people" were mourning the Queen. 5 Sinclair failed to pay tax through his punditry work between 2021 and 2022 Credit: Getty 5 The former West Ham star failed to attend a court hearing Credit: Getty 5 Sinclair also played for Man City Credit: PA:Press Association
The Irish Sun
12-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Lidl Ireland fans set to love new car staple for long summer trips in middle aisle – and it costs just €39.99
LIDL Ireland has a new gadget that is perfect for those long road trips in the middle aisle - and it costs just €39.99. The new mini fridge is a must-have this summer for families heading on road trips. 3 It is perfect for long road trips, beauty routines or just lounging on the couch Credit: 3 The new mini fridge is available in stores and online now Credit: It holds up to six different beverages with space for all your cosmetics too. Enjoy an ice cold drink without leaving your seat with the new mini fridge in stores. The 4.4L product comes with a mirrored front and LED temperature display. It is perfect for those long road trips as it also includes a car adaptor. READ MORE IN FABULOUS Store food, water, and drinks away this summer as you travel cross country for your upcoming staycations. Better yet, have the ultimate skincare routine with this new item as lower temps are perfect for reducing that puffy look. Drop the under-eye bags off in the morning as you use a nice cold moisturiser to help set your face for the day. Get a glowy look for less as this newest item is just €39.99 and its compact design is perfect for smaller rooms. Most read in Fabulous This must-have mini appliance is available in stores and online now. And that isn't the only Cheapest supermarket revealed and Wetherspoons axe fan favourite menu item Fans can choose between the dual layer fryer or the new digital air fryer XL. For just €59.99, you can grill, bake and fry with this new Ninja dupe, which reaches temperatures from 60 - 200C. Choose from one of the 10 pre-set programs on this item, complete with a 60 minute timer. No buttons, no hassle, as this latest middle aisle release features a touch Treat yourself with your extra cash as you save over €175 when you shop at Lidl Ireland. The Ninja Foodi max dual air fryer retails for €239 online. Meanwhile, Aldi Ireland fans are scrambling to get their hands on a The retailer is set to launch new The discount store's middle aisle will be packed full of goodies for our four-legged pals, with everything from a water fountain to a pet pool. Their description reads: "Keep your dog cool, hydrated and entertained on warm summer days with this fun dog water fountain. "It provides fresh drinking water at the push of a paw. "And features a big, wide pedal on the front that your pooch presses to activate the water stream." 3 Lidl Ireland have more handy gadgets on offer online Credit: Alamy THE HISTORY OF LIDL IN IRELAND LIDL first opened in Germany in 1973. Back then, it employed just three people, stocking 500 product lines. The first Irish store, located just off Molesworth Street in Dublin, was opened in 1999. This was Lidl's first entry into the Irish grocery market. Then, Lidl opened more stores in 2000, in Limerick, Letterkenny, Mullingar, Athlone, Cavan, Ballinasloe and Portlaoise. Now, the retailer has over 180 stores and three distribution centres, employing over 6,000 people. They work with a network of more than 260 Irish suppliers from the communities they operate in.
