View Full Version : Mega-pub chain Wetherspoon could be coming to Thurso!.
Catharnach74
11-Feb-11, 21:09
While Wetherspoon refused to say that they were ready to sign a deal on property in the Thurso, a planning application from the pub giant to take over a building on Traill street had been submitted, but the application has been sent back to Wetherspoon as it is incomplete. If the company manages to get permission for a pub in the building it will be a bonus for drinkers and diners in Thurso, who will be attracted by the 99p pints and £2 meals offered by Wetherspoons. The news that Wetherspoon is targeting Thurso again is likely to send a chill through the licensed trade in Caithness.
Curry night in Thurso for a change, that will be good!!!
C3.
I did hear today that the the business was up for sale.
I am surprised to hear it's Wetherspoons.
I suppose it's not so much a case of "if you cant beat them, join them" but more like a "if you can't beat them, get out".
MMMMM Interesting indeed. I have been racking my brains, looks like I have lost a few brain cells, but I can not think of what or where this building in Trail Street could be. Can anyone enlighten me please.
Bobinovich
11-Feb-11, 22:05
I'd guess the old drill hall that was Woodbees / Wee Ones previously as this was first mooted back in mid-2008
dragonfly
11-Feb-11, 22:19
thats Sinclair St Bob, item in JOG today about a family establishment being up for sale?!?!? pub(s)/cafe.....
flowertot
11-Feb-11, 22:19
I'd guess the old drill hall that was Woodbees / Wee Ones previously as this was first mooted back in mid-2008
That's Sinclair Street not Olrig Street. Suspect tho' that it could be Central Hotel.
This has come up before, something about a church, but the elders were unhappy it would sell alcohol on Sunday? Anyway looks like it 'might' be true:
"It is examining potential sites in locations such as Hawick, Orkney, Stirling and Thurso, while strengthening its representation in larger markets. Openings in the coming months are planned for East Kilbride, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Livingston".
http://www.scotsman.com/medialeisure/Wetherspoon-sales-approach-1bn.6525953.jp (http://www.scotsman.com/medialeisure/Wetherspoon-sales-approach-1bn.6525953.jp)
John O Groats Journal: "THE popular national pub chain J.D. Wetherspoon has expressed an interest in Thurso's Station Hotel, it has emerged"
A company spokesman confirmed yesterday that the business was in the early stages of looking at the Princes Street property which was put up for sale earlier this year with a price tag of £1.4 million.
Trouble is it's dated 09 July, 2008...
John O Groats Journal: "THE popular national pub chain J.D. Wetherspoon has expressed an interest in Thurso's Station Hotel, it has emerged"
A company spokesman confirmed yesterday that the business was in the early stages of looking at the Princes Street property which was put up for sale earlier this year with a price tag of £1.4 million.
Trouble is it's dated 09 July, 2008...
As far as I know the Station Hotel has been sold since that date. It has been done up and the flats next door so I do not think it could be there.
Prepare yourselves for a few existing bars/pubs shutting.
Prepare yourselves for a few existing bars/pubs shutting.
Why should there be Bars/Pubs closing? Even if times get tough with cuts etc then people turn to drink to drown their sorrows. So Pubs should get even more business.
Metalattakk
11-Feb-11, 23:38
As far as I know the Station Hotel has been sold since that date. It has been done up and the flats next door so I do not think it could be there.
You're wrong. The Station has been under the same ownership since 1999, when the current owners bought it from Georgie Hossack. They'e the ones who renovated and refurbished the premises, and added the extra rooms in the old car park and the flats along Prince's Street.
orkneycadian
11-Feb-11, 23:46
Curry night in Thurso for a change, that will be good!!!
Don't you have curry houses over there?
alanatkie
12-Feb-11, 00:55
That would be Top Joe's, The Central or The Royal, IF it is an existing pub building in Traill Street.
Metalattakk
12-Feb-11, 00:58
http://www.hspc.co.uk/details.asp?id=42907
It's in the Groat too.
Prepare yourselves for a few existing bars/pubs shutting.
Why?. Wetherspoons being in Wick never saw any competing drinking establishment shut it's doors. Why would Thurso be any different?
Why?. Wetherspoons being in Wick never saw any competing drinking establishment shut it's doors. Why would Thurso be any different?
What aboot the Backer?
What aboot the Backer?
Sod all to do with Wetherspoons, just a sign of the times. Members only social clubs are a thing of the past.
Aaldtimer
12-Feb-11, 04:38
You're wrong. The Station has been under the same ownership since 1999, when the current owners bought it from Georgie Hossack. They'e the ones who renovated and refurbished the premises, and added the extra rooms in the old car park and the flats along Prince's Street.
Aye, wi' a lot of public cash subsidies IIRC!:confused
Metalattakk
12-Feb-11, 05:00
Aye, wi' a lot of public cash subsidies IIRC!:confused
Absolutely. They know what they're doing, they're no duck eggs.
I'll never forgive them for selling off the old mirrors though. Sacrilege. Only one of them is left in the town.
Why should there be Bars/Pubs closing? Even if times get tough with cuts etc then people turn to drink to drown their sorrows. So Pubs should get even more business.
Because they'll be drowning their sorrows in Wetherspoons and not bars that cant compete with their prices. Like small local shops close when a Tesco/Morrisons/asda or whatever open up. Its happening everywhere . Typical price of a pint of bitter here is £2.20, Wetherspoons is £1 50.
As stated before, if the Wick pubs survived Wetherspoons coming, I'm sure Thurso pubs will also.
As stated before, if the Wick pubs survived Wetherspoons coming, I'm sure Thurso pubs will also.
OK, hope youre right but since Wetherspoons opened up here three places within 200 yards of it have shut.
OK, hope youre right but since Wetherspoons opened up here three places within 200 yards of it have shut.
Sorry, I didn't know that. A previous message said that only the members club had shut.
But, even if it casued difficulties for other pubs, would that be a reason to refuse planning?
Surely that would go against fair competition rules?
I don't want to see any pubs in Thurso shut, but at the same time, I don't see why I should be prevented from experiencing the same low prices as those in other towns.
OK, hope youre right but since Wetherspoons opened up here three places within 200 yards of it have shut.
Just because that happened where you live, it does not have to happen here. I am all for a bit of competition as it reduces prices and increases service.
We have a Wetherspoons in Leith, the Foot o the Walk, in a radius of about 500 yards there are still 9 pubs still doing business and have been for some time, not everyone likes Deuchars £1.50 per pint, in my local its £2.85 for a pint of Best, prefer my local to Wetherspoons.
Sorry, I didn't know that. A previous message said that only the members club had shut.
Bazeye is talking about Barrow In Furness, not Wick.
Hen Broon
12-Feb-11, 13:24
Why?. Wetherspoons being in Wick never saw any competing drinking establishment shut it's doors. Why would Thurso be any different?
Carters/The yard/sinclairs wasn't able to compete and is now an Indian
Deuchars £1.50 per pint, in my local its £2.85 for a pint of Best,.
Seems to be a typical comparison. Someone is being overcharged by someone.
Carters/The yard/sinclairs wasn't able to compete and is now an Indian
Going by previous posts on here, the general consensus seemed to be that it was mismanagement and not Wetherspoons that lead to the demise of that pub.
orkneycadian
12-Feb-11, 15:27
I don't want to see any pubs in Thurso shut, but at the same time, I don't see why I should be prevented from experiencing the same low prices as those in other towns.
The Tesco's of pubs... Have only been in a few of them, and the blandness is enough to put you off. Even been in that one in Wick for something to eat. Probably the same menu (and food!) you might get in any other branch, and the only character emanating from a completely superflous and deafening ventilation system.
I wonder if you are a small independant brewery, and you want a national chain to stock your product, if you have to endure the same terms as suppliers to Tesco? i.e., "Thats the price we will pay you for your beer, take it or leave it. Whats that? You wont make any money selling it to us at that rate? Tough. Oh, and we will only pay you for the product we sell. If it doesn't sell, we don't pay you."
Its a shame when towns lose their character and become homogenised - Once every town has a Tesco, a McDonalds, a National Pub chain, and the likes, it becomes just the same as any other town - Characterless....
There used to be a good pub in Kirkwall called the Torvhaug - Many of you may have known it. It was full of character (and characters) day in, day out. Weekends, it was hooching. Then it got "upgraded". In came the flat screen TV's all over the place, in came the excessive use of metal and in came the rubbish music. Out went the best juke box in the north of scotland, out went the swords hanging from the ceiling and out went the clientele!
Went there with a few folk from south a few months ago, and they asked if there were no better places we could go to, within 10 minutes of getting in the door! :roll:
Oh well, RIP Thurso pub scene. It'll save us having to come over to experience it from time to time. We'll just take the boat to Aberdeen and go to one of the 2 Wetherspoon pubs there and pretend we are in Thurso, Wick or Maidenhead!
The Tesco's of pubs... Have only been in a few of them, and the blandness is enough to put you off. Even been in that one in Wick for something to eat. Probably the same menu (and food!) you might get in any other branch, and the only character emanating from a completely suyperflous and deafening ventilation system.
I wonder if you are a small independant brewery, and you want a national chain to stock your product, if you have to endure the same terms as suppliers to Tesco? i.e., "Thats the price we will pay you for your beer, take it or leave it. Whats that? You wont make any money selling it to us at that rate? Tough. Oh, and we will only pay you for the product we sell. If it doesn't sell, we don't pay you."
Its a shame when towns lose their charachter and become homogonised - Once every town has a Tesco, a McDonalds, a National Pub chain, and the likes, it becomes just the same as any other town - Characterless....
There used to be a good pub in Kirkwall called the Torvhaug - Many of you may have known it. It was full of charachter (and characters) day in, day out. Weekends, it was hooching. Then it got "upgraded". In came the flat screen TV's all over the place, in came the excessive use of metal and in came the rubbish music. Out went the best juke box in the north of scotland, out went the swords hanging from the ceiling and out went the clientele!
Went there with a few folk from south a few months ago, and they asked if there were no better places we could go to, within 10 minutes of getting in the door! :roll:
Oh well, RIP Thurso pub scene. It'll save us having to come over to experience it from time to time. We'll just take the boat to Aberdeen and go to one of the 2 Wetherspoon pubs there and pretend we are in Thurso, Wick or Maidenhead!
Wait until Last Orders appear, makes Wetherspoons look upmarket.
I wondered how long it was before Tesco got a mention.
Regardless of what anyones individual views on Wetherspoons are, it is the choices of the many that will decide if it is successful. Nobody forces anyone into a Wetherspoons. If people don't like it, it will fail. The fact that there are so many of these pubs makes me think that they have a successful business model and making a profit, again, from people who make the choice to drink there.
I'm sure a Wetherspoons in Thurso will be used by those who like it, and not by those, like you, who don't. Each to their own.
Weatherspoons isnt the best of places,BUT they do sell some very nice wines,some of which are hard to find in smaller pubs,or come by the bottle(the ones that only hold a glass) that cost more than a full bottle does sometimes! :eek: the food has a lot to be desired,but again its each to their own,at the end of the day far better that the place is open and running that vacant and rotting away x
speedo215
12-Feb-11, 20:29
wetherspoons has certainly not been the end of the pub scene in wick, i prefer to drink in the crown and it is just as busy now as it was before wetherspoons opened
I wondered how long it was before Tesco got a mention.
Regardless of what anyones individual views on Wetherspoons are, it is the choices of the many that will decide if it is successful. Nobody forces anyone into a Wetherspoons. If people don't like it, it will fail. The fact that there are so many of these pubs makes me think that they have a successful business model and making a profit, again, from people who make the choice to drink there.
I'm sure a Wetherspoons in Thurso will be used by those who like it, and not by those, like you, who don't. Each to their own.
E from Orkney don't like Tesco e don't
Folk must like it cos: (Reuters) The company, which has 782 pubs across Britain, made a pretax profit of 71 million pounds. Market expectations for pretax profit had ranged between 69 and 73 million pounds, with the consensus at 71.3 million, according to a Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S poll of 19 analysts.
Wetherspoon, which earlier this month announced plans to create 1,000 new jobs for 16 and 17 year old school leavers, said it is now selling over 400,000 breakfasts and 600,000 coffees each week, an increase of 40 percent, having started opening its pubs at 7.00am in April. Shares in Wetherspoon closed on Thursday at 443.5 pence, valuing the business at 608 million pounds.
orkneycadian
12-Feb-11, 22:14
Div ye hiv the balance of payments for money out of, and money into the Caithness economy Beks? Would be interested to see how much of the takings gets spent locally (aside from staff national minimum wages) on things like ingredients for the food, local wholesalers of beer, wines, spirits, etc.
Div ye hiv the balance of payments for money out of, and money into the Caithness economy Beks? Would be interested to see how much of the takings gets spent locally (aside from staff national minimum wages) on things like ingredients for the food, local wholesalers of beer, wines, spirits, etc.
Just like every other national chain - I went into Homebase today and purchased three bags of sand - wonder where my money went? Oh yes into Pets at Home where Mrs Beks bought a big bag of bird food - wonder where my money went. Then down to Lidl's I purchased lots in there - wonder where my money went?.. onto Tesco and (ditto).. finished off with a meal in Spoons and guess what! wonder where the money went.
You should join Tescopoly Alliance. There I've even put in their email: info@tescopoly.org right up your street I'll be bound. But you know that don't you?
Look, you might live on some little island over there but in the real world a lot of us are quite satisfied to use these places - why I've even put in the profits that Spoons make, I'm am not alone here.. Why do you people seems to dislike successful enterprises?
orkneycadian
12-Feb-11, 22:54
Why do you people seems to dislike successful enterprises?
Something to do with a hoo haa on another thread, where it was suggested that it was vitally important that Classroom Assitants were retained, as to lose them means 350 jobs or the likes on the line. You all seem a bit undecided over there if local jobs are important or not!
. You all seem a bit undecided over there if local jobs are important or not!
Oh yes I forgot whilst Mrs Beks and I were at Homebase, we noticed the line of buses (hundreds of em) all piling up the A9, dropping the shop workers off at each store...NO LOCAL WORKERS HERE PLEASE!!
cullpacket
12-Feb-11, 23:49
The thing I like about Whetherspoons is it gets older people out to socialise they can afford a drink and the food, A burger and a drink for a fiver who wuld want to cook after 12 hours free wifi cheap coffiee, The Cardosi mafia has kept them out for long enough bring it on!!
morvenview
13-Feb-11, 10:07
Aye if local pubs cant give us cheap food and a cheap dram bring on spoons! And no loud bloody music there either!
Bit o music good but no at loud your lugs near explode! :lol:
Mr P Cannop
13-Feb-11, 10:27
the wifi does not even work in Whetherspoons in wick
the wifi does not even work in Whetherspoons in wick
It does with me, best place I found was through the door, turn right and the first tables there...
top joes is for sale ...
Well lets hope Weatherspoons does buy the Central, etc because as the establishment stands at the moment, its a manky hole of a place. Food not great neither. And what do you have to do to get a smile of out Management.
Well lets hope Weatherspoons does buy the Central, etc because as the establishment stands at the moment, its a manky hole of a place. Food not great neither. And what do you have to do to get a smile of out Management.
Not calling it a manky hole would probably go a long way :lol:
Duncansby
13-Feb-11, 13:58
The individuality of a town centre should be an asset but yet the homogenisation of our town centres is getting more and more apparent. I find it depressing that the character and culture is being erroded by the influx of huge national chains. I can just imagine visitors having a wander round the town frequenting all the establishments they find in their own town centres and wondering why they bothered leaving home at all.
A pedestrian precinct, covered in concrete pretend cobbles, is rather ubiquitous these days.
Local shopkeepers must be eternally grateful to the council for preventing customers driving to the door of the shop.
Tubthumper
13-Feb-11, 23:01
I heard that Wetherspoons try to retain the character of buildings they take on. They have a policy of selling real ales, keeping prices low (but not trying to drive local pubs down then bumping the price up once they've cleared out the opposition), maintaining their buildings and interiors and not having loud canned music. Hardly faceless corporate moneygrabbing behaviour.
Maybe we'd be better with a Wetherspoons than another empty building, or one that becomes unfit for human habitation?
northener
14-Feb-11, 08:34
Seems to be a typical comparison. Someone is being overcharged by someone.
Not really Sids, because of JD's strong bargaining position they can discount their beer down to prices that most pubs would struggle to buy in at.
For example:
A 'cask' of ale will cost between £70-85 to buy in.
Each cask is 9 gallons which equals 72 pints - and you won't get a full 72 pints out, you'll a lose a couple of pints as ullage.
So you're looking at buying in at around £1-1.10.
Selling out at £1.50 would be financial suicide for any publican worth his salt, he wouldn't cover HLP & ins, let alone staff wages and anything approaching a profit margin.
JD's have an excellent business model and their pubs tend to appeal to a lot of those who wouldn't normally frequent a 'proper' pub, I go into Wick JD's occasionally and enjoy the different beers they get in. I find it a very relaxing place to be, but there is no craic (IMO, of course) when compared to more traditional pubs.
BTW, did you know that JD's sell as much (or possibly more) coffee as Starbucks?
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