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Wetherspoons fans mourn loss of ‘iconic’ art deco pub as it closes doors for the final time

By Keira Clarke
16th October 2023, 1:23 pm
Updated: 18th October 2023, 8:04 pm

WETHERSPOONS fans are mourning the loss of an ‘iconic’ art deco pub which has finally given out its last orders.

The iconic pub known as The Capitol located in Forest Hill, closed its doors for the last time yesterday, 15 October.
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Spoons fans are mourning the loss of the ‘iconic’ Capitol pub which has closed its door for the last time

The pub used to be a cinema in the 1920s, showing its last film in 1973, The Capitol then opened as Bingo Hall in 1978 before JD Wetherspoons snapped it up in 1996.

Locals flocked to Facebook to share their heartbreak after learning the pub would be closing for good. 

One user said: “Sad day today. My previous local when I lived in London was the Wetherspoons at Forest Hill, The Capitol, which is closing today.”

Another said: “Enjoy so many beautiful old places closing now end of great chapters in one’s life !”

The branch was among four other Wetherspoons in south London which were put up for sale in September last year.

One customer said on Google: “This is a really lovely pub. It was once a movie theatre. It’s sad that it will be closed.”

Another said: “Great history to this building, as soon as you walk in there is some info, lovely high ceilings and decor.”

Wetherspoons declined to comment but confirmed the closure.

The pub giant has now closed 35 boozers it put up for sale over the last 19 months.

Like many other pubs and hospitality businesses the brand has been hit hard by rising costs due to high inflation.

Wetherspoons’ boss Tim Martin also said far more people now drink in their homes rather than in pubs.

Here’s a full list of the 35 pubs that have closed in the last 19 months:

  • The John Masefield, New Ferry
  • Angel, Islington
  • The Silkstone Inn, Barnsley
  • The Billiard Hall, West Bromwich
  • Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis, Southampton
  • The Colombia Press, Watford
  • The Malthouse, Willenhall
  • The John Masefield, New Ferry
  • Thomas Leaper, Derby
  • Cliftonville, Hove
  • Tollgate, Harringay
  • Last Post, Loughton
  • Harvest Moon, Orpington
  • Alexander Bain, Wick
  • Chapel an Gansblydhen, Bodmin
  • Moon on the Square, Basildon
  • Coal Orchard, Taunton
  • Running Horse, Airside Doncaster Airport
  • Wild Rose, Bootle
  • Edmund Halley, Lee Green
  • The Willow Grove, Southport
  • Postal Order, Worcester
  • North and South Wales Bank, Wrexham
  • The Sir John Stirling Maxwell, Glasgow
  • The Knight’s Templar, London
  • Christopher Creeke, Bournemouth
  • The Water House, Durham
  • The Widow Frost, Mansfield
  • The Worlds Inn, Romford
  • Hudson Bay, Forest Gate
  • The Saltoun Inn, Fraserburgh
  • The Bankers Draft, Eltham, London
  • The Sir John Arderne, Newark
  • Moon and Bell in Loughborough
  • The Capitol, Forest Hill

Which Wetherspoons pubs are up for sale?

Wetherspoons currently has 27 pubs up for sale – 17 are still available while 10 are under offer.

This means that a buyer has presented an offer that is being considered by the seller.

It doesn’t mean that the sale is guaranteed, and it could still remain open if it doesn’t complete.

The 17 Wetherspoons that are currently up for sale are:

  • The Pontlottyn, Abertillery
  • The Ivor Davies, Cardiff
  • Spa Lane Vaults, Chesterfield
  • The Gate House, Doncaster
  • The Market Cross, Holywell
  • The Regent, Kirkby in Ashfield
  • The Mockbeggar Hall, Moreton
  • The Hain Line, St Ives
  • The Sir Norman Rae, Shipley
  • The Sir Daniel Arms, Swindon
  • The White Hart, Todmorden
  • Jolly Sailor, Hanham
  • Resolution, Middlesbrough
  • The Rising Sun, Redditch
  • Sennockian, Sevenoaks
  • Lord Arthur Lee, Fareham
  • Plough & Harrow, Hammersmith

This is the list of 10 pubs under offer

  • The Butlers Bell, Stafford
  • Wrong ‘Un, Bexleyheath
  • The Percy Shaw, Halifax
  • The Alfred Herring, Palmers Green
  • Foxley Hatch, Purley
  • The Cross Keys, Peebles
  • General Sir Redvers Buller, Crediton
  • Asparagus, Battersea
  • Millers Well, East Ham
  • Coronet, London

However, if you can make it to a Spoons there are still deals to be found, with the 12-day real ale autumn festival which is well underway.

Fans will get the opportunity to sample beers from five different countries with prices starting from just £2.

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