Pub giant JD Wetherspoon has permanently closed the doors of one of its most debated venues, a branch situated at a motorway service station that had traded for just over a decade.
The End of the Road for a Controversial Boozer
The pub in question, The Hope & Champion, was located at Beaconsfield Services in Buckinghamshire, directly accessible from junction two of the M40. It ceased operations earlier this month, ending a 12-year run that began on January 21, 2014. The site earned the unofficial title of the "most controversial" Wetherspoons in the country almost immediately after opening, due to widespread concerns about its proximity to a major motorway.
Road Safety Fears Sparked National Debate
From its inception, the pub's location ignited a fierce debate about drink-driving temptations. The road safety charity Brake strongly criticised the launch, stating the venue was effectively "putting temptation in front of drivers." This sentiment was echoed by the public and motoring organisations alike.
A survey conducted by the RAC, which polled 2,000 people, found that only 12 per cent believed having pubs in motorway service stations was a good idea. Pete Williams, the RAC's head of external affairs at the time, commented: "The public appear to be very much against the introduction of motorway pubs. In our view this is a risky and, frankly, unnecessary move."
Members of the public also voiced strong opinions, with one person quoted in The Sun describing the location as a "guaranteed drink and driving" spot. Following news of the closure, social media users remarked on its notoriety, with one noting "The most controversial Spoons ever is gone."
Staff Relocated as New Pub Opens Nearby
Confirming the closure, Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon told The Sun that the decision was purely commercial, stating: "The company does, on occasion, close pubs. This is a commercial decision." He provided reassurance for the staff, confirming that all employees from The Hope & Champion have remained with the company.
The majority have now transferred to a new Wetherspoons pub, The Chiltern, which has opened just miles away in Buckinghamshire. This new venue represents the chain's continued investment in the area, even as it withdraws from its contentious motorway site.
The closure of The Hope & Champion marks the end of a unique and often-criticised chapter in the pub chain's history, closing the book on a long-running road safety debate.
