Should Wetherspoon return to Newark town centre?

m.tavares@newarkadvertiser.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 28 March 2025

In its weekly voxpop, the Advertiser heard people’s views on whether Wetherspoon should come back to the town centre or not.

The Sir John Arderne closed its doors in August 2023, leaving a Grade II-listed building in Newark’s Market Place vacant and boarded up.

At the time of its closure, people across social media expressed their feelings towards the closure of the popular pub.

Having closed over a year and a half ago, this week the Newark Advertiser asked people if they would like to see the pub chain back in the town centre.

In general, the people we spoke to said they missed the pub as it was ‘cheap and cheerful’, and some people who aren’t pub-goers agreed that a Wetherspoon back in town would be better than so many closed buildings.

Sheila Anderson, who isn’t a pub goer and doesn’t drink alcohol said: “I used to go there for a meal and when my brother was alive, he loved Wetherspoons and I think for the gentlemen of the area I think it was lovely.

“I was very surprised it closed, it was very popular.”

David Ress, who used to be a regular customer at the Newark Wetherspoons said: “I would like to have another Wetherspoons because I used to use the other one before it closed.

“People go there for a coffee in the morning and all my mates went in the afternoon and it was reasonable prices.

“Everyone knew each other and they have a Wetherspoons in Bingham and Bingham is smaller than Newark.”

Sarah Mason, who doesn’t live in Newark but visits the centre often, said: “It is cheap, you get a good meal there and friendly service.

“The last time I came to Newark I was really disappointed that it was shut so I think it would be good to have another one in the town centre.”

Mike and Jan Lee didn’t use Wetherspoons as a pub to drink but as a restaurant, as they often travel from their home in Yorkshire to visit their daughter in Newark.

Mr Lee said: “I would go there to eat as the food is good value and you know what you’ll get.

“If you want a quick easy pub meal it is a good place, but if you want a high-end meal you don’t go there.”

Nick Fairhurst agreed that there are too many buildings in the town left derelict and that it would be nice to see some buildings back to life, however, not as Wetherspoons as there are ‘already enough pubs in town’.

Jill Veater highlighted the free hot drink refills at the pub and said that she would like the chain to return to Newark.

“For me, it doesn’t make a difference whether it comes back or not apart from the fact that it is just another closed building in town, and they should put something there rather than another empty building,” said Derek McKenzy.