Residents have hit back at 'old fuddy-duddys' who are against a new Wetherspoon pub opening in Wetherby, going as far to say the quaint market town is already "absolute carnage" on a night out.
The JD Wetherspoon pub chain announced its plans to open a new pub in Wetherby. The chain giant is currently negotiating contracts to acquire the building of closed down restaurant Sant' Angelo on High Street.
A proportion of Wetherby residents are firmly against the pub fearing drunken yobs, even though the plans will create 50 jobs in the north Leeds town and an investment of £2.25million to redevelop the vacant building. It is expected to be renamed The Angel, the name the building had before it became an Italian restaurant.
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Grandparents Christina and Derek Brown pleaded with Wetherspoon to “find somewhere more suitable in another town,” like Sheffield which is 50 miles away. They've said they fear “drunkenness and unpleasant behaviour”.
Retired architect James Jones said he had doubts the "very conservative town with their noses in the air" would frequent the pub.
Leeds Live readers hit back in force on social media with various viewpoints and Wetherspoon stories. So we've put together a selection of the most liked comments, below.
A couple of readers saw the funny side. Paris Powell joked: "Most of the money spent in developing the property will be ensuring the toilets are tunnelled as far as Boston Spa...."
Alex Gordon Irving joked: "Let’s transfer the “ Otley Run “ to Wetherby - show the residents what fun they are missing."
Ollie Wood said: "Leeds Live, have you ever been on a night out in Wetherby? It's absolute carnage at the end of the night."
The majority of readers were supportive of Wetherspoon's plans. Jo Frost said "I can’t wait. If you don’t like them don’t go in simple!!!! It will bring loads for people into our town.
"It’s about time we had new things. Too many old fuddy-duddys around!!!"
Julie Ciantar told them to "get a grip". She said: "If it is a conservative town, won't the employees and customers be the same? Get a grip."
Mavis White said: "I’m a responsible 75 year old and have visited a great deal of Wetherspoon pubs all over the country.
"I’m not a drinker but have found the standard of of food and company both polite and sometimes a bit noisy - but that depends on the people that live in your area. So if as that man says it’s an area where nice people live why should it change .
Peter Cale said: "But if they are a Conservative town, surely the staff they higher from within the town will also be Conservative. The customers would be Conservative. So in essence, it would make it a posh snobby Conservative Spoons lol."
Carole Giles said: "Most of the Wetherspoons we have visited have been okay and filled mainly with pensioners enjoying the cheaper but good food served and a pint.
"Lots of elderly men use them as their little club and it’s nice to see. We have never seen rowdiness at any and they do great steak and curry nights.
Linda Jane Simpson said: "We have a Wetherspoon in our little market town and others in nearby towns, and it's not an issue.
"Isn't it better to put an empty property to good use?"
Sarah Mitchell said: "They need to stop being so snobby. It will give the Sant' Angelo staff a job, and more. And it will cost less for food which would benefit the many pensioners around Wetherby, as most of the other places to eat cost a fortune."
A man going by the name Digger Paul was in agreement with Wetherby residents who oppose the Wetherspoon pub. He said: "I quite agree and there's nothing wrong with a bit of snobbery from time to time. Not everywhere wants a giant corporation in their town; whether it be, McDonald's or Asda or a 'spoons'"
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