WETHERSPOON appears to have put a further delay on opening a new pub in the old town hall in the centre of Wellington.

Four weeks ago it denied rumours it was pulling out of the project and confirmed it was looking forward to opening its pub in Wellington ‘in due course’.

But in its latest announcement it says it is unlikely to be opening a pub in the town hall ‘before the second half of next year’.

It stated this week: “We have obtained the relevant planning and licensing consents. However, we need to undertake some remedial works to make the site safe.

“Once these works are completed we can then tender for the redevelopment works.

“So it is too early to know what the onsite or opening date will be.”

This is a big blow for all those who want to see the town centre spruced up. Now the hope is that it will be up and running by NEXT Christmas.

Wetherspoon is still opening new pubs despite a £32.2m hike in its tax payments in one year.

The company, which is renowned for turning unused, historical buildings back into use, reported “a year of progress, with record sales and free cash flow earlier this year.”

But it has called for industry taxation to be standardised, pointing out that supermarkets pay virtually no VAT in respect of food sales, whereas pubs pay 20 per cent.