A popular Wetherspoon pub is closing down in early 2023.
The chain confirmed to our sister title, LancsLive, that The Willow Grove, on Lord Street in Southport, will be closing in early 2023. The pub, also known as Lloyds to many, has been a fixture in the town for many years but will close its doors for the final time in the coming months.
The chain, run by millionaire Tim Martin, declined to comment on the reason for the closure or give an exact date but said it will happen before April. Its other pub on Lord Street - the Sir Henry Segrave - and its plan to open hotel rooms above it are not understood to be affected by the decision.
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Willow Grove is spread across two floors in a large space on the corner of Lord Street and Nevill Street, in a site which has undergone frequent maintenance work over the past year. It currently opens from breakfast until late night and was not included in a November announcement of 32 planned Wetherspoon closures.
Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We can confirm that Wetherspoon will be closing The Willow Grove in Southport. There is no closure date at present but it will before April 2023.
“We know that customers and staff will be disappointed with the decision, however, Wetherspoon does on occasion close some of its pubs, and this is the case here. All staff will remain with Wetherspoon once the pub closes and be employed at the company’s other pubs in the region.”
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