Plans unveiled for JD Wetherspoon pub in Huntingdon

Pub chain JD Wetherspoon has unveiled its plans for moving into Huntingdon – and it includes a 22-room hotel.

The Hunts Post reported in February about the firm’s interest in the town when it bought the former post office, sorting office and the George Hall just off the ring road in George Street.

Last week Wetherspoon submitted its plans to Huntingdonshire District Council for converting and linking the two buildings to make way for a pub, capable of serving up to 631 people, along with a large commercial kitchen and a beer garden.

The planning documents state: “The application proposes a new extension and a ‘link’ building between George Hall and the old post office and two new beer gardens. The proposed long bar is to be contained within the George Hall whilst the new ‘link’ building and old post office would be used for customer seating. Toilets are to be located on the first floor of the old post office and the existing sorting office will be redeveloped to provide a new 22-room hotel facility.”

Wetherspoon has stressed that its work would be sympathetic to the Grade II listed buildings – the majority of the outside of the buildings would remain as they are while repairs would be like-for-like.

As with most Wetherspoon pubs, the Huntingdon outlet, if granted planning permission, would not be looking to have live music or pool tables, but would be focused on real ales and food, the firm added.

The pub could become the largest in the town but Wetherspoon has said in its report to HDC that the scale “of the pub is designed to provide a reasonable return to the client’s huge investment in the properties and development”.

Opening hours, if agreed, would be 7am until 12.30am Sunday to Wednesday, and 7am until 1.30am Thursday to Saturday.