Wetherspoons loses new pub appeal

The chain, which has just under 800 pubs nationwide, wanted to turn Agriculture House, the former East Riding National Farmers’ Union headquarters on New Walkergate, into a pub. JD Wetherspoons appealed after the plans were refused by East Riding Council last August, but their legal challenge was dismissed by inspector Richard McCoy.

Mr McCoy said he did not believe nearby residents would be unduly affected by the new pub opening in an already busy area and the plans would bring an empty building back into use. But he was concerned about how service vehicles would manoeuvre, load and off-load.

A Wetherspoons spokesman said they were disappointed, but would continue to look for new sites.

Meanwhile, Wetherspoons is opening a pub in Driffield on Tuesday next week, following an investment of more than £1m. About 40 jobs will be created at the Benjamin Fawcett in Middle Street North which will be managed by Tony and Donna Hill, who previously ran a Wetherspoons pub in Hull for the past 10 years.