Wetherspoons Confirms Preston Pub Closure After 30 Years

Wetherspoons has confirmed it will close The Grey Friar, a popular pub in Preston that has been a local favorite since opening in the 1990s. The pub will remain open until it is sold, with staff assured they will be offered jobs at other Wetherspoons locations and no redundancies are planned. The Grey Friar, named after Franciscan monks who founded a nearby friary in the 13th century, has been a staple for students and locals who appreciate its range of ales and affordable food. The closure has disappointed many patrons, who took to social media to express their sadness and memories associated with the pub. This closure is part of a broader trend in the UK, where 289 pubs closed in 2024 due to pressures such as rising energy costs, increased employer National Insurance contributions, and higher minimum wages. Despite this, Wetherspoons continues to expand in other areas, including plans to open new pubs in London near football stadiums.