WETHERSPOON has dismissed rumours it has abandoned plans to open a pub in the old town hall building in the centre of Wellington.

The pub chain recently boarded up the building with metal grilling fuelling rumours it was having second thoughts about the project.

But pub chain spokesman Eddie Gershon said this week: “Despite rumours to the contrary, Wetherspoon can confirm it is looking forward to opening its pub in Wellington in due course. At present there are no on-site or open dates.”

Wellington town clerk Greg Dyke said this week: “It is good that Wetherspoon has confirmed it will still be turning the old town hall building into a pub.

“There have been lots of rumours flying around, the latest being that it was pulling out of the development. It’s going to make such a difference to the town centre once the pub opens.

“We all know what a mess it looks at the moment. However, we cannot do anything about the pigeons but there has been contact with owners in Cornhill. We’re doing everything we can to try and improve the town centre.”

Only last week Wellington in Bloom chairman Isabel Ward described nearby Cornhill as a ‘disgrace’.

She said she believed legislation enabled local authorities to compel owners to improve their properties which adversely affected the amenity of a town centre.

The state of the old town hall and Cornhill, plus empty shops and boarded up buildings, has led to calls for a clean-up of the town centre. The centre of Wellington and Cornhill does not present a pretty picture to shoppers and motorists, especially those new to the town. Wetherspoon could provide the spark it needs to entice more shops to open in Wellington.