In a move set to enliven one of the UK’s busiest transportation hubs, JD Wetherspoon (LSE: JDW) is opening a new pub at London Waterloo Station this summer. The pub chain, owned by Sir Tim Martin, will invest £2.5 million to develop the Lion and the Unicorn, creating 120 full- and part-time jobs.
Situated on the upper ground floor of the Sidings area, the single-level pub will feature floor-to-ceiling glazing offering views of the station concourse and abundant natural light. The Sidings, formerly housing the Eurostar terminal, has struggled with vacancies despite redevelopment efforts, with only the Brewdog bar finding major success.
Tim Martin, Wetherspoon’s chairman and founder, expressed confidence that the new pub “will appeal to a wide range of people and be a great asset to the station itself.” Sian Evans, LCR’s asset management director overseeing the repurposing, added that it “will provide another great reason for people to visit.”
The opening aligns with long-term plans by Lambeth Council and Network Rail to transform Waterloo Station through new restaurants, stores and green spaces.
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