AFTER months of speculation, Wetherspoon has announced a date for the opening of its pub in the pigeon-infested old town hall building in Wellington, writes Barry Knott.

Work on the £2.3million development will start next Monday, February 29, and the pub will open for business on Tuesday, July 19.

The pub will be known as The Iron Duke, chosen last year by Wellington Weekly News’ readers, and will create about 50 jobs.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said yesterday: “We are delighted that building work is set to start on our new pub in Wellington.

“We have been keen to open a pub in the town for many years and pleased that this is now coming to fruition.

“We believe that the pub will be a great asset to Wellington and also act as a catalyst for other businesses to invest in the town.”

This is the first really good news for the town centre for a long time, especially as the King’s Arms opposite the old town hall building closed in January.

Wetherspoon’s arrival will also be a big boost for local businesses who have watched shops close and not reopen.

The development of the old town hall will also involve the renovating and cleaning up of the outside of the building and, ridding the pigeons which have blighted the area.

The news that Wetherspoon has set a timetable for the opening has been welcomed by local newsagent Trish Lettley, of E J Teare.

She said: “This can only be a good thing for the town. It will encourage people into the centre of Wellington.

“But I can understand why one or two local pubs may be worried.”

Sharon Davis, 44, who runs the florists Interiors and Flowers in Cornhill and has been fighting a losing battle with the pigeons, said: “It is going to be not only brilliant for me but also for Cornhill itself. “It is about time something was done about the place. Fortunately my business has not been affected.

“But I seriously think I would have considered going somewhere else had I known when I moved the business from the High Street here three years ago.”