JD Wetherspoon announces Turnpike Lane pub sale

A pub on Turnpike Lane is one of 32 that have been put up for sale by JD Wetherspoon amid financial concerns. 

The Toll Gate – located on Turnpike Lane – takes its name from a historic toll gate that was erected in 1765, where Wood Green High Road meets Green Lanes. It is one of two Wetherspoons pubs in the area, with Spouters Corner sitting at the northernmost end of Wood Green High Road, near the underground station. 

The Wetherspoons chain started life in Muswell Hill, where founder Tim Martin opened a namesake pub, Martin’s Free House, in 1979. 

It now operates roughly 800 pubs around the UK and Ireland, of which 32 have been put up for sale. The company has described it as a “commercial decision”. Pubs across the UK are set to close, with a total of nine being sold across the capital. 

Paul Breen, a director at Savills which is handling the sale of the pubs, said: “Following the success of our earlier marketing campaigns for JD Wetherspoon we are delighted to be launching these 32 properties to the market. These venues are well configured and fitted to a high standard which will make them appealing to a broad range of potential buyers.”

On its disposals website, JD Wetherpoon said in a statement: “This represents a rare opportunity to acquire substantial, landmark public houses with a high standard of fit out in high profile locations.”