Pub wars hit Prestwick as Wetherspoons make bid

Mar 12 2010 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

CHAIN pub Wetherspoons has sparked a row after applying for a move into Prestwick.

The national company is bidding to open a 4000 square foot super pub in the Main Street.

They want to convert an old Woolworths into the town’s biggest bar.

But rival company Buzzworks, who own Elliots and Dome in the same street, are set to launch a counter bid.

They will apply for an identical style of pub to Wetherspoons on the site of the disused Broadway cinema, which they currently own.

Buzzworks will now draw up plans for a bar based on the Wetherspoons model, which sells cheap food and drink.

Buzzworks director Kenny Blair revealed: “If there is a gap in the market in Prestwick for a JD Wetherspoon style super pub selling cheap drink and food with no entertainment then we as the local operators feel that we can do it better.”

Objections are expected to stack up from rival pubs in the town, who could see the national chain as a threat to business.

Prestwick Main Street already boasts 10 pubs, with some struggling to balance their books.

The Post revealed last week how numerous pubs were unsuccessful in applying for a late licence to try and compete with Elliots.

And the news that Weatherspoons may be coming to town will sound alarm bells for many.

However, not all landlords in the area are worried by the news.

Hugh Burns owns the Central Bar, which sits directly across from the proposed super pub site.

He said: “In my view competition is always healthy and if this went ahead it would create jobs for the town.

“Some pubs will feel threatened because everyone knows what Weatherspoons are all about – cheap food and drink.

“But my pub has a good clientele who come here for things like racing on the telly and entertainment at the weekend, and that wouldn’t change.”