LOCALS are furious over the Wetherspoons opening in their posh town – they say it’s out of place and will attract the “wrong type”.
Vacant for four years, locals have long pondered what their beloved old cinema in central Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, might become.
JD Wetherspoons has confirmed it will ‘develop its site’ in ‘the former Prezzo restaurant on Station Road’w8media
Carl Holt believes towns like these don’t need affordable eateriesw8media
The building on Station Road was previously occupied by a Prezzo and had been originally built as a cinemaTrip Advisor
Some said a Côte would fit in perfectly in their picturesque town, while others suggested an Ivy or perhaps a bigger M&S.
But after much anticipation, JD Wetherspoon confirmed in April 2024 plans to “develop its site” in “the former Prezzo restaurant on Station Road”.
Locals hearing the news for the first time quaked in their boots.
“I strongly object to pints at 9am,” exclaimed nearby resident Eric.
He added: “I am very traditional and would like to keep the place as it is.”
While local couple Margaret and David Green blurted out: “It’s not a place we would go to.”
One strong opposer of Wetherspoons, Carol Minter, dubbed the restaurant chain “cheap”, “boring” and “old”.
She said: “I left the city for some country living and this is not cool.”
“We don’t want someone [the owner] with that kind of ethos running a local business near our young people.
“I personally wrote to the council, but I got no response. We need something for our youth but not a boring old Wetherspoons with cheap food.”
Her friend Christian Jarcheh added: “It’s such a shame to see these big companies pushing people out. It’s just a nightmare.”
One long-term resident browsing a gift shop across the road had her say.
She said: “Wetherspoons is not in keeping with the area.
“If I had a choice I’d have an Ivy.
“I can’t be annoyed because there’s nothing I can do about it, but it’ll bring the wrong type of people here”, she warned.
“There will be smashed bottles everywhere”, added another local.
For Pat Anderson, 72, the idea it’ll bring in a similar cliental to the old old Revs is a concern.
She said: “When Revs was open there were only ever three old men in there having a pint, so I don’t know what it’s going to bring.
“I think it’s a shame it’ll become a Wetherspoons.”
Christian Jarcheh and Carol Minter don’t want a ‘boring old Wetherspoons with cheap food’ in their townw8media
Three friends, Paul Badman, Keith Gilham and John announced they’ve been keen for a decent pint for a long time noww8media
Julia and Simon Jones believe ‘Spoons definitely has a connotation’w8media
Pat also shared what she hoped the building would turn into.
She said: “I was hoping it would become a bigger M&S.
“I think this particular town is not suited to Wetherspoons. It doesn’t appeal to me anyway.”
“Must be those £5 curries. Not for me!”
Meanwhile Mark said people who go to Spoons all seem to share the same expression.
He recalled a recent experience: “I went into another Spoons a little while ago and I was struck by how gloomy it was and how people sit there staring vacantly into space.
“It’ll attract a lot of older people who don’t have much else to do.
“Cheap food. That’s their brand.
“I suppose with heating costs it’s good because you can buy one pint of beer and stay there for hours.”
He added: “I think it’s not the right quality for Beaconsfield. I know that sounds snooty.”
Walking towards the station is a luxury jewellers and a Chinese dinerw8media
M&S is situated next door to the new Wetherspoonsw8media
The back of the intended Spoons is layered with litterw8media
Similarly, Carl Holt, 57, pointed out that an affordable place to eat isn’t exactly what the people of Beaconsfield need – so the question of who it’ll benefit remains.
He said: “A Spoons would help those struggling financially because it’s cheap but these sorts of areas don’t really struggle too much because they’re quite wealthy, so I’m not sure whether it’ll bring too much benefit to this area.
“But nimbies will always resist change”, he added.
Walking along Station Road, it’s scattered with art galleries, a Gail’s bakery, a health food shop, a Crew clothing shop and more.
The town has also housed various celebrities over the years.
Enid Blyton wrote many a legendary tale in her home the “Green House” in Beaconsfield, while various celebs including TV presenter James Cordon, writer G.K Chesterton, and singer Beverley Craven have lived in the town.
For, Julia Jones, “Spoons definitely has a connotation”.
She also shared her fear for a loss of individualism to the area.
However, a group of cheerful residents said: “It’s Beaconsfield so there’s bound to be mixed opinions.”
The building currently looks unusedw8media
The pavement outside the entrance to the building is discolouredw8media
The back of the building looks on to a carparkw8media
Keith Gillham continued: “There are a lot of people who live behind gates and wouldn’t dream of going to a Wetherspoons but this town is dead. You can’t get a decent pint of beer anywhere.”
Another local addressed the “element of snobbishness” about Spoons.
Jeremy said: “The building is lovely but Wetherspoons has a particular image – of all the chains it’s probably my least favourite.
“So for me it’s not good news but I’d rather something was here than nothing. Suboptimal but better than nothing.”
Marilyn, who moved to the town 17 years ago said: “I’m surprised we’re having a Wetherspoons in Beaconsfield because the food isn’t that good – but I don’t know.
“Something other than Spoons would be better. What I think would be nice is a Lakeland. Or even a Toby. I’d rather have that than a Spoons.
“Something a bit better quality than Wetherspoons would be nice.
“We haven’t got much at all here now. It was so nice when I first came but we have nothing at all now. But now, nearly everything has gone.”
The Mayor of Beaconsfield Jackson Ng previously told the Bucks Free Press he was glad the building had been put on the market and hoped it would turn into a restaurant or cinema.
Following Spoons’ confirmed arrival he said he welcomed the move as long as the developers “take into consideration the history and prominence” of its location.
He said: “We were disappointed when Prezzo closed – my family loved going there and I know there were mixed feelings locally when Wetherspoons turned up as a replacement.
“Personally, I think it would be great if we had a cinema here, but I also just want something to happen with that site. It has a very prominent position in our unique and beautiful town.
“Ultimately, the most important thing is that there are fewer empty shopfronts in Beaconsfield – I’m just hopeful that work will start, and something will happen there soon. I look forward to having a pint when it does!”
SPOONS HAS ITS SAY
Wetherspoons spokesperson Eddie Gershon said the amount of awards the restaurant chain has won proves its quality.
And despite the opposing views, the pub chain is confident its Beaconsfield opening will prove triumphant – much like the Marlow branch.
Mr Gershon said: “Those interviewed in Beaconsfield about the forthcoming Wetherspoon pub are entitled to their views.
“There are around 15,000 residents in the town plus those who visit, so the views are likely to be from a tiny percentage.
“Wetherspoon opened its pub in Marlow, a town close to Beaconsfield, around six months ago, and the pub had the busiest opening day of any Wetherspoon pub in its history.”
He added: “It continues to be extremely popular with locals and those coming in to the town.
“Wetherspoon runs its pubs to an extremely high standard and they are popular with a wide range of customers.
“The pubs have an excellent reputation for their design, as well as food and drink.”
Mr Gershon continued: “Wetherspoon pubs, have amongst other things, won numerous design awards, awards for the quality of their toilets, has more pubs listed in the Campaign for Real Ale Good Beer Guide 2025 than any other pub company and won awards for its children’s food offering.
“We are confident, that as in nearby Marlow, when the pub opens in Beaconsfield, that it will be a great addition to the town.”
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