Locals have shared their thoughts on what the Wetherspoons pub in Hanham means to the community, following news that it's set to be put up for sale. Dubbing it the "heart of the community", residents have been left feeling 'absolutely gutted' by the news - and wondering what could happen to their beloved pub in the hands of new owners.
Bristol Live reported on Wednesday that The Jolly Sailor was one of 32 Wetherspoon pubs being sold across the UK as pressures on the hospitality industry continue to mount. And, if the sale goes through, it will be the second JD Wetherspoon pub to close in the Bristol area in just over a year, following the closure of St George's Hall in Redfield last September.
The group, which operates approximately 800 pubs across the UK and Ireland, said it was a "commercial decision". In July, the pub had previously warned of finance worries, citing £30 million losses after raising staff pay and funding repairs across its venues.
Read more: Wetherspoon pub on Bristol border up for sale leaves customers 'gutted'
A spokesperson for Wetherspoon did say that all sites for sale will remain open as Wetherspoon pubs until the sales have gone through. But regulars of the Jolly Sailor in Hanham are hoping they'll still have a local pub by the end of it.
BristolLive readers took to social media to voice their thoughts on the recent news. One commented: "Locals are gutted, it's a heart of the Hanham community, lots of older people meet there everyday." While others were wondering what could come next - one comment simply read: "more flats probably" with a sad face emoji, another commenter said they were "looking forward to it hopefully being replaced with something a bit more classy".
One local disagreed, however, writing: "Yes it should have had a refit but it's still a place people meet up with friends and definitely will be a big loss for Hanham. I personally don't want classy as, like a lot of others, we won't be able to afford it.
"And it will probably have a 'cliquiness' about it, unlike 'Spoons Hanham. Some pubs you walk in and it's all eyes on you, this is one place it doesn't happen."
One resident from Redland, where the St George's Hall Wetherspoons pub was closed last year, said that there is "just a big unused building" there since closing and added: "Not even flats here, such a waste!"
And there were plenty of comments revolving around the subject of prospective parking if the pub in Hanham was transformed into flats or other property, as well as the reasons behind this premises being among the 32 in the country being sold as, locals said, "it's always busy". Others even said if they had the money to buy it they would and even suggested local residents chipping in to buy and run it themselves.
Another suggestion looked to Bristol's very own 'Lounges', such as Tinto Lounge on Gloucester Road, Bonzo Lounge in Keynsham and Porto Lounge in Fishponds, with one local saying: "Maybe the Lounges will step in and take over - that would be great. It's a great community hub.
"People just write or email the Lounges to take over. It can't be left in a ruined state like St George's."
Some dubbed it the "nicest Spoons in Bristol". Though there were some who recommended its customers head a couple of minutes down the High Street to The Maypole - another local pub in the area.
What would you like to see become of The Jolly Sailor? A pub, a restaurant, or something more community-centered? Let us know in the comments below.
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