Latest news with #Wetherspoons
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Award-winning Wetherspoons pub that has huge rooftop beer garden is right by the beach
Plus, how to save money at Wetherspoons CHEERS Award-winning Wetherspoons pub that has huge rooftop beer garden is right by the beach A WETHERSPOONS pint always goes down a treat - and even more so at this one venue that has a rooftop garden and sits right by the beach. Back in 2015, The Admiral Collingwood in Ilfracombe, North Devon, scooped up the prize of best new pub at the National Pub Design Awards. 3 The Admiral Collingwood is an award-winning pub in Ilfracombe, Devon Credit: Alamy And since, the boozer has become an icon of Ilfracombe's seafront after judges described it as "an uncompromisingly modern building where the glass dome offers urban presence, while the rest of the main elevation is understated yet sophisticated", according to Harrison Ince Architects. Inside, new artworks were commissioned for the pub at the time, and a steel sculpture of a wave breaking was installed. On the roof of the pub, there is a beer garden which is open between March and October and boasts amazing views across the coast. One recent visitor said: "The view of the sea is amazing; the roof terrace is lovely and the drinks are true spoons quality. Read more on travel inspo SHOW BOAT I tried new Omaze-style draw for superyacht holidays & lived like a billionaire "We love Ilfraspoons!" Another added: "The view and the amazing prices make the THE place to go" According to Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the pub serves three changing beers which often include ales from Fat Belly, GT Ales, Exmoor, Cotleigh and Bays featuring regularly. In the summer, this increases to four beers. And then additionally, there are three regular beers on offer to punters. Visitors also get to learn a bit of histroy about the purpose built pub when they visit, as the menu states: "Until its very recent closure, the Collingwood Hotel had welcomed visitors to north Devon's Ilfracombe for over 130 years. I went to the UK's biggest Wetherspoons with rooftop bar overlooking the beach "The imposing five-storey building was named after Admiral, Lord Collingwood, Nelson's second-in-command at Trafalgar (who fought just off the Spanish coast in 1805). "Cuthbert Collingwood fired the first shot in the battle (one of British naval history's most famous and crucial) and took over command of the British fleet after the fatal wounding of his friend Horatio Nelson." Just a short walk away from the pub is Wildersmouth Beach, which is sheltered and shingle. Despite being central to Ilfracombe, the dog-friendly beach is often less crowded than other sandy beaches nearby. 3 Also in Ilfracombe is Damien Hirst's bronze Verity sculpture Credit: PA:Press Association Ilfracombe is also home to the Landmark Theatre, in Jubilee Gardens. For art lovers, make sure to follow the coast around to Ilfracombe's harbour where you will find Damien Hirst's bonze sculpture called Verity - a half-skinned pregnant woman, who stands 20 metres tall. The high street is also said to be a "thriving hub of independent shops", according to Visit Ilfracombe. There are many craft shops, gift shops and cafes to explore - and even a coffee-cum-craft shop. Sweet tooths will also enjoy the Ilfracombe Chocolate Emporium, which sells handcrafted chocolates and has a chocolate museum - which is free to visit. And make sure to check out the department story Chas N Pedlar & Son, which has been running for over a century. The seaside town has a lot of choice for accommodating too, with lots of holiday homes. How can I save money at Wetherspoons? FREE refills - Buy a £1.50 tea, coffee or hot chocolate and you can get free refills. The deal is available all day, every day. Check a map - Prices can vary from one location the next, even those close to each other. So if you're planning a pint at a Spoons, it's worth popping in nearby pubs to see if you're settling in at the cheapest. Choose your day - Each night the pub chain runs certain food theme nights. For instance, every Thursday night is curry club, where diners can get a main meal and a drink for a set price cheaper than usual. Pick-up vouchers - Students can often pick up voucher books in their local near universities, which offer discounts on food and drink, so keep your eyes peeled. Get appy - The Wetherspoons app allows you to order and pay for your drink and food from your table - but you don't need to be in the pub to use it. Taking full advantage of this, cheeky customers have used social media to ask their friends and family to order them drinks. The app is free to download on the App Store or Google Play. Check the date - Every year, Spoons holds its Tax Equality Day to highlight the benefits of a permanently reduced tax bill for the pub industry. It usually takes place in September, and last year it fell on Thursday, September 14. As well as its 12-day Real Ale Festival every Autumn, Wetherspoons also holds a Spring Festival. A Devon local has walked the South West Coast Path numerous times – these are her best spots The Salt Path movie doesn't show. Plus, Devon is also home to the best fish and chips in the UK.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Award-winning Wetherspoons pub that has huge rooftop beer garden is right by the beach
Plus, how to save money at Wetherspoons CHEERS Award-winning Wetherspoons pub that has huge rooftop beer garden is right by the beach A WETHERSPOONS pint always goes down a treat - and even more so at this one venue that has a rooftop garden and sits right by the beach. Back in 2015, The Admiral Collingwood in Ilfracombe, North Devon, scooped up the prize of best new pub at the National Pub Design Awards. Advertisement 3 The Admiral Collingwood is an award-winning pub in Ilfracombe, Devon Credit: Alamy And since, the boozer has become an icon of Ilfracombe's seafront after judges described it as "an uncompromisingly modern building where the glass dome offers urban presence, while the rest of the main elevation is understated yet sophisticated", according to Harrison Ince Architects. Inside, new artworks were commissioned for the pub at the time, and a steel sculpture of a wave breaking was installed. On the roof of the pub, there is a beer garden which is open between March and October and boasts amazing views across the coast. One recent visitor said: "The view of the sea is amazing; the roof terrace is lovely and the drinks are true spoons quality. Advertisement "We love Ilfraspoons!" Another added: "The view and the amazing prices make the THE place to go" According to Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the pub serves three changing beers which often include ales from Fat Belly, GT Ales, Exmoor, Cotleigh and Bays featuring regularly. In the summer, this increases to four beers. Advertisement And then additionally, there are three regular beers on offer to punters. Visitors also get to learn a bit of histroy about the purpose built pub when they visit, as the menu states: "Until its very recent closure, the Collingwood Hotel had welcomed visitors to north Devon's Ilfracombe for over 130 years. I went to the UK's biggest Wetherspoons with rooftop bar overlooking the beach "The imposing five-storey building was named after Admiral, Lord Collingwood, Nelson's second-in-command at Trafalgar (who fought just off the Spanish coast in 1805). "Cuthbert Collingwood fired the first shot in the battle (one of British naval history's most famous and crucial) and took over command of the British fleet after the fatal wounding of his friend Horatio Nelson." Advertisement Just a short walk away from the pub is Wildersmouth Beach, which is sheltered and shingle. Despite being central to Ilfracombe, the dog-friendly beach is often less crowded than other sandy beaches nearby. 3 Also in Ilfracombe is Damien Hirst's bronze Verity sculpture Credit: PA:Press Association Ilfracombe is also home to the Landmark Theatre, in Jubilee Gardens. Advertisement For art lovers, make sure to follow the coast around to Ilfracombe's harbour where you will find Damien Hirst's bonze sculpture called Verity - a half-skinned pregnant woman, who stands 20 metres tall. The high street is also said to be a "thriving hub of independent shops", according to Visit Ilfracombe. There are many craft shops, gift shops and cafes to explore - and even a coffee-cum-craft shop. Sweet tooths will also enjoy the Ilfracombe Chocolate Emporium, which sells handcrafted chocolates and has a chocolate museum - which is free to visit. Advertisement And make sure to check out the department story Chas N Pedlar & Son, which has been running for over a century. The seaside town has a lot of choice for accommodating too, with lots of holiday homes. How can I save money at Wetherspoons? FREE refills - Buy a £1.50 tea, coffee or hot chocolate and you can get free refills. The deal is available all day, every day. Check a map - Prices can vary from one location the next, even those close to each other. So if you're planning a pint at a Spoons, it's worth popping in nearby pubs to see if you're settling in at the cheapest. Choose your day - Each night the pub chain runs certain food theme nights. For instance, every Thursday night is curry club, where diners can get a main meal and a drink for a set price cheaper than usual. Pick-up vouchers - Students can often pick up voucher books in their local near universities, which offer discounts on food and drink, so keep your eyes peeled. Get appy - The Wetherspoons app allows you to order and pay for your drink and food from your table - but you don't need to be in the pub to use it. Taking full advantage of this, cheeky customers have used social media to ask their friends and family to order them drinks. The app is free to download on the App Store or Google Play. Check the date - Every year, Spoons holds its Tax Equality Day to highlight the benefits of a permanently reduced tax bill for the pub industry. It usually takes place in September, and last year it fell on Thursday, September 14. As well as its 12-day Real Ale Festival every Autumn, Wetherspoons also holds a Spring Festival. A Devon local has walked the South West Coast Path numerous times – these are her best spots The Salt Path movie doesn't show. Plus, Devon is also home to the best fish and chips in the UK. Advertisement
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Over 1,100 pubs and restaurants shut down since Chancellor Rachel Reeves' tax rises in October, figures show
OVER 1,100 pubs and restaurants have shut their doors since Chancellor Rachel Reeves's tax hikes last October, with venues closing at a rate of two per day, according to CGA and AlixPartners. The hospitality industry is struggling under soaring costs, with National Insurance changes and a 6.7 per cent minimum wage increase adding £2.9billion to employers' bills. Smaller businesses are taking the biggest hit, as restaurant numbers have already dropped by nearly three per cent this year. Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, said: "Independent businesses, the lifeblood of our sector, are being disproportionately crushed under the weight of unfair taxation and soaring employment costs.' The sector has already lost 16,000 venues since the pandemic began, with mounting fears that upcoming changes to business rates could further damage larger hospitality companies. Wetherspoon's boss Sir Tim Martin has long warned that higher rates would worsen the tax burden on pubs, driving more home drinking and fewer pub visits. Ms Nicholls added: 'We now run the very real risk of being taxed out of existence. "The Government must lower the business rates that punish high street businesses, fix the poorly designed National Insurance Contributions that penalise job creation, and cut the rate of VAT to stimulate investment." Pub chain collapses into administration as SIX sites shut their doors for good and 159 job losses 1
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Wetherspoons confirms ‘outstanding' chicken meal is axed from all pubs leaving customers gutted
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SPOONS fans have been left gutted after an 'outstanding' chicken meal was quietly axed from the menu. The beloved pub chain recently made a huge shake-up to its menu - and it turns out another fan favourite has disappeared from restaurants. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Spoons made a major menu shake-up earlier this year, axing some customer favourites The Chicken Wings Basket meal is no longer available, a Wetherspoon spokesperson confirmed to The Sun. A Spoons customer questioned the decision on Reddit, writing: 'Why in the ever-loving f*** did Wethos get rid of the wings basket? 'My heart is broken.' The meal had included crispy chicken wings served in a basket alongside coleslaw and a choice of sauces. Fans had previously described the meal as 'outstanding and great value'. One person wrote: 'The best meal at Wetherspoons is the chicken wings basket, change my mind!' The meal was taken off the menu on May 14. However the chicken wings are still available as a small plate dish and as part of the pub chain's 'wings, strips and bites' offer. Plus, customers can still get the Boneless Basket which comes with three southern-fried chicken strips, five chicken breast bites, coleslaw and BBQ sauce. There's also the Chicken Bites Basket which includes 10 battered chicken breast pieces, coleslaw and BBQ sauce. Wetherspoons taste test The Chicken Wings Basket wasn't the only popular meal to come off the menu in May. Wetherspoon also decided to axe the steaks, mixed grill and gammon in a major blow for customers. The pub chain said at the time it wanted to freshen up its food offering and cut back on items branded 'loss-makers' after meat prices shot up. In an email sent to staff, Wetherspoons chief John Huston confirmed that the meats were being ditched 'after much debate'. However, in their place it released a brand new range of gourmet burgers. The mouthwatering new selection includes: The Big Smoke – Pulled BBQ beef brisket, American-style cheese and maple-cured bacon. Buffalo Burger – Fried buttermilk chicken breast with blue cheese, naga chilli sauce and melted cheese. Cheese Meltdown – American cheese layered with gooey Emmental and Cheddar cheese sauce. The chain also rolled out a new Korean-style chicken range. Spoons also launched a £2.99 breakfast deal in February, with customers able to get a breakfast muffin or small breakfast with soft or hot drink. There are also veggie options available, which is served between 8am and midday. Meanwhile tea and toast, which comes with two slices and either jam or marmalade, is just £2.49. It's not been all good news for Wetherspoons punters in recent months though. The pub chain exclusively revealed to The Sun in January it had increased the price of a host of drinks and meal deals by up to 30p. The chain hiked prices on drinks by 15p while meal deals were bumped up by 30p. Plus, the Chicken Bites Basket briefly disappeared from menus earlier this year. Customers were disappointed when they were listed as 'temporarily unavailable' for months. But they triumphantly returned to menus again in July. It's not clear why they were taken off the menu.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Wetherspoons confirms ‘outstanding' chicken meal is axed from all pubs leaving customers gutted
SPOONS fans have been left gutted after an 'outstanding' chicken meal was quietly axed from the menu. The beloved pub chain recently made a huge shake-up to its menu - and it turns out another fan favourite has disappeared from restaurants. 1 The Chicken Wings Basket meal is no longer available, a Wetherspoon spokesperson confirmed to The Sun. A Spoons customer questioned the decision on Reddit, writing: 'Why in the ever-loving f*** did Wethos get rid of the wings basket? 'My heart is broken.' The meal had included crispy chicken wings served in a basket alongside coleslaw and a choice of sauces. Fans had previously described the meal as 'outstanding and great value'. One person wrote: 'The best meal at Wetherspoons is the chicken wings basket, change my mind!' The meal was taken off the menu on May 14. However the chicken wings are still available as a small plate dish and as part of the pub chain's 'wings, strips and bites' offer. Plus, customers can still get the Boneless Basket which comes with three southern-fried chicken strips, five chicken breast bites, coleslaw and BBQ sauce. There's also the Chicken Bites Basket which includes 10 battered chicken breast pieces, coleslaw and BBQ sauce. Wetherspoons taste test The Chicken Wings Basket wasn't the only popular meal to come off the menu in May. Wetherspoon also decided to axe the steaks, mixed grill and gammon in a major blow for customers. The pub chain said at the time it wanted to freshen up its food offering and cut back on items branded 'loss-makers' after meat prices shot up. In an email sent to staff, Wetherspoons chief John Huston confirmed that the meats were being ditched 'after much debate'. However, in their place it released a brand new range of gourmet burgers. The mouthwatering new selection includes: The Big Smoke – Pulled BBQ beef brisket, American-style cheese and maple-cured bacon. Buffalo Burger – Fried buttermilk chicken breast with blue cheese, naga chilli sauce and melted cheese. Cheese Meltdown – American cheese layered with gooey Emmental and Cheddar cheese sauce. The chain also rolled out a new Korean-style chicken range. Spoons also launched a £2.99 breakfast deal in February, with customers able to get a breakfast muffin or small breakfast with soft or hot drink. There are also veggie options available, which is served between 8am and midday. Meanwhile tea and toast, which comes with two slices and either jam or marmalade, is just £2.49. It's not been all good news for Wetherspoons punters in recent months though. The pub chain exclusively revealed to The Sun in January it had increased the price of a host of drinks and meal deals by up to 30p. The chain hiked prices on drinks by 15p while meal deals were bumped up by 30p. Plus, the Chicken Bites Basket briefly disappeared from menus earlier this year. Customers were disappointed when they were listed as 'temporarily unavailable' for months. But they triumphantly returned to menus again in July. It's not clear why they were taken off the menu. How can I save money at Wetherspoons? FREE refills - Buy a £1.50 tea, coffee or hot chocolate and you can get free refills. The deal is available all day, every day. Check a map - Prices can vary from one location the next, even those close to each other. So if you're planning a pint at a Spoons, it's worth popping in nearby pubs to see if you're settling in at the cheapest. Choose your day - Each night the pub chain runs certain food theme nights. For instance, every Thursday night is curry club, where diners can get a main meal and a drink for a set price cheaper than usual. Pick-up vouchers - Students can often pick up voucher books in their local near universities, which offer discounts on food and drink, so keep your eyes peeled. Get appy - The Wetherspoons app allows you to order and pay for your drink and food from your table - but you don't need to be in the pub to use it. Taking full advantage of this, cheeky customers have used social media to ask their friends and family to order them drinks. The app is free to download on the App Store or Google Play. Check the date - Every year, Spoons holds its Tax Equality Day to highlight the benefits of a permanently reduced tax bill for the pub industry. It usually takes place in September, and last year it fell on Thursday, September 14. As well as its 12-day Real Ale Festival every Autumn, Wetherspoons also holds a Spring Festival.
