Wetherspoon's wait may be over

Published 6 Jan 2012 09:30 6 Comments

A CUT-PRICE pub chain's move into Peebles could hinge on a planning decision next Monday.

J D Wetherspoon PLC have applied for permission to make improvements to the Cross Keys, which has been closed since last year.

The proposed refurbishment of the existing hotel, demolition of a single-storey toilet block and erection of screen fencing will be determined by members of the council's planning committee on Monday.

Although the deal to buy the Cross Keys hasn't yet been finalised, a spokesman for J D Wetherspoon told the Peeblesshire News they are half way there.

And if planning permission is granted next week the firm hope is to obtain a licence.

Spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "The company has made agreements to purchase the property but the deal is not yet complete.

"We are very committed to completing the deal and obtain planning and thereafter a license.

"There's always a delay between exchange and completion. We're moving in the right direction."

Current owner Ewan Gowrie didn't wish to comment on the stage the change of ownership is at.

He told us: "It's fairly common knowledge that the deal is happening."

J D Wetherspoon have 850 pubs in the UK, 29 of which are hotels.

The Cross Keys has seven bedrooms allowing it be run as a hotel.

Planning Officer Craig Miller is recommending Monday's committee approves the application.

He stated: "The core of the building is late 17th Century though medieval elements may also exist.

"The alterations are relatively minor but any exposure of the walls and foundations should be monitored by a developer contracted archaeologist and an appropriate Watching Brief condition imposed."

The listed building sits on the Northgate and lies within Peebles Conservation Area.

Steeped in history, it was built in 1654 and turned into an Inn in 1693.

The plans aren't being welcomed by everyone with 14 objections tabled concerning traffic fears, increased noise and over provision.

Other bar owners are also against the take over.

Local landlord and owner of The Keg Lounge, Roddy Mackay told the Peeblesshire News: "I'm obviously very worried.

"This would be a terrible thing for local businesses.

"Most of the pubs and hotels in the town are privately owned and I don't know how we are expected to compete against a business of that size."

And a spokeswoman for the Central Bar in Peebles added: "This would be devastating for the pubs in the town. I am completely against Wetherspoon's coming to Peebles and I hope it isn't allowed to happen."

Tweet

This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 06 Jan 12

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  gordy
  Unregistered User
  Jan 6, 14:15
  Report comment

  Good Luck on Monday Witherspoon about time peebles had a bit of competition
  
  Recommend?   Yes 51     No 0

• 

  WeegyintheBorders
  Unregistered User
  Jan 6, 15:13
  Report comment

  Yus!! Mon the spoons.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 16     No 0

• 

  Robert
  Unregistered User
  Jan 9, 08:21
  Report comment

  Looking forward to having a pint with my breakfast like many of the other Wetherspoons outlets
  
  Recommend?   Yes 2     No 0

• 

  Robert
  Unregistered User
  Jan 9, 18:27
  Report comment

  Having read the planning application, Wetherspoons could have opened the hotel without the planning application as it is already established as a licensed premises. Whats wrong with competition. Most of their offers are are drinks/meal deals something that the major complainers don't do, unless you count crisps/nuts as a meal?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 2     No 0

• 

  oblivious
  Unregistered User
  Jan 10, 08:54
  Report comment

  The landlord of the Keg is against this and a spokesman from the Central is against this. Are they not the same person??
  
  Recommend?   Yes 6     No 0

• 

  erchy123
  1 post
  Feb 4, 16:39
  Report comment

  Just found out that W'spoons were looking to open in the town, great news, I remember when they were moving into Elgin town centre all the publicans,managers were up in arms, a few months after the 'Muckle Cross' opened the other town pubs had to change tack on food, good beers etc.
  
  Hope W'spoons and Peebles are the winners in this one.
  
  Erchy
  
  Recommend?   Yes 2     No 0

Post a comment

Your Comment:

Registered users log in here

Username or email

Password

If you are registered with us, you can login here. If you are not registered, do so now.
Once logged in you wont have to complete word verification each time you post.

Prefer not to register?

Screen Name *required

Email (not displayed) *required

Usernames must be 4 - 20 characters. Registration only takes a few minutes. Registered users can also take part in competitions and other features of the site.

Word Verification:
Enter the text as shown.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Follow @peeblesnews