JD Wetherspoon buys Victorian site in Somerset

JD Wetherspoon is planning to open a new seafront site in Somerset, following the purchase of the former leisure unit Cabot 5 Bars

The unit in Weston-super-Mare includes five bars, a restaurant and a nightclub.

“Cabot 5 Bars represents a one-off opportunity for an operator to acquire an established landmark business,” said Nicholas Calfe, Director at Christie + Co, who sold the freehold on behalf of private owners.

“We believe JD Wetherspoon is the perfect company to take this prominent and distinctive business forward.”

Property lay-out

Cabot 5 Bars occupies several four-storey buildings in a Victorian property, which are all operated as a single unit.  The site, located on a seafront corner position, is spread over a basement, ground and mezzanine floors.

The unit has a total capacity for 770 people, with an outdoors 60-cover sun terrace, including further seating at the front of the building.

According to Christie + Co, Cabot 5 Bars is thought to be the largest freehouse in Weston-super-Mare, and already attracts year-round trade from locals and tourists. 

The property, which has been owned and operated by the same family for four generations, also includes nine self-contained holiday or staff flats with a rooftop sun terrace.  There is also large two-bedroom apartment on the first floor, with plans already drawn up for this to be converted into five additional self-contained flats.

JD Wetherspoon, the managed pub operator, purchased the freehold for an undisclosed sum.