The Wetherspoons pub at the Metrocentre in Gateshead is set to undergo a £1 million refurbishment that will transform the long-standing venue. The pub, which has been serving customers since 1998, will gain a garden terrace overlooking the Tyne Valley as part of the extensive upgrade.
Refurbishment Plans and Timelines
The project will add a garden terrace at the rear of the pub, create additional seating, introduce an extra entrance, and bring more natural light into the building. The pub will remain open during the initial stages of the work, with only a small section of the customer area closed off while the upgrade is completed.
Following the initial works, the Wetherspoons will close for a short period in early 2027 to allow the refurbishment to be finished. The full transformation is expected to be completed in the spring.
New Lease and Reactions
Wetherspoon’s chief executive, John Hutson, said: “We have agreed a new lease with Metrocentre and the new garden terrace will be an exciting new addition to Wetherspoons and the popular shopping centre. We are confident that customers and shoppers will enjoy the new space, at one of our oldest and most successful pubs in the North East.”
Ben Cox, Metrocentre Asset Director, added: “Wetherspoons has been part of Metrocentre for nearly 30 years, and the new lease is a strong endorsement from an operator that knows the centre and its customers well. What’s particularly positive about this investment is what it brings to Blue Mall. Opening up the unit and including a terrace with external views adds a distinctive offering to the centres dining offer.”
The pub has been a permanent fixture at the Metrocentre since it first welcomed customers in the Blue Mall in 1998, twelve years after the centre itself opened. It remains popular with shoppers seeking budget-friendly meals before, during, or after their visit. The refurbishment will leave the pub looking very different, with the garden terrace as a key new feature.
