A new Wetherspoon pub set to open in London’s West End will become one of the popular pub chain’s largest venues in the capital. JD Wetherspoon has announced a partnership with West End real estate owner Criterion Capital to open the first-ever Wetherspoon pub in London’s Theatreland.
The pub will open in the London Trocadero at 30 Shaftesbury Avenue, which since being built in 1896 has served as a restaurant, leisure complex, and SegaWorld indoor theme park. The building now features a series of souvenir shops, attractions, and restaurants on its ground floor, a prayer space in the basement, and the 700-room Zedwell Hotel Piccadilly Circus on the upper floors.
The new Wetherspoon pub will occupy part of the building where the now-closed Coyote Ugly bar was located. The space spans more than 3,600 square feet, with capacity for around 280 covers, making it one of the largest Wetherspoon venues in central London. The venue will operate from 7am to midnight, seven days a week, offering its usual all-day food and drink menu from breakfast through to evening.
A Nod to Local History
Wetherspoon is known for adding a touch of individuality to its venues with pub names and decorations inspired by local history. The new venue takes its name from the historic Piccadilly Hall, which once occupied part of the Trocadero site and gave Piccadilly Circus its name. The pub chain said Piccadilly Hall has been backed by a multi-million-pound investment and will form part of Criterion’s wider strategy to redevelop the Trocadero as a major hospitality and entertainment destination in the West End.
Statements from Leadership
Tim Martin, founder and chairman of JD Wetherspoon, said: “We are delighted to be opening our first venue in Theatreland in partnership with Criterion Capital. The West End is one of the world’s great hospitality destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year, and we believe this site is exceptionally well-suited to the Wetherspoon model of offering good-quality food and drink at reasonable prices in well-managed and historically interesting buildings. The scale of Piccadilly Hall, together with its connection to the wider Zedwell hotel network, makes this one of the most significant openings for Wetherspoon in London for many years. We have always believed that pubs and hospitality venues play an important role in local economies by creating jobs, supporting tourism and providing accessible social spaces for a wide range of customers, and we look forward to becoming part of this vibrant area of the West End.”
Wetherspoon said it will announce an opening timeline in due course.
