Locals blast new Wetherspoon because it opens reverse Tom Kerridge’s pub

A fancy £3.5m Wetherspoon has opened its doors opposite Tom Kerridge’s gastro pub in a picturesque riverside town but some locals have hit out at the new boozer for a strange reason.

The well-known pub chain welcomed its first customers in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, at 8am yesterday with a line forming with excited punters queuing at the door.

Named the Grand Assembly, in an apparent attempt to ingratiate itself with naysayers in the town, the pub has split opinion with residents since its was announced in was coming to the high street.   

The pub sits opposite TV and celebrity chef Tom Kerridge‘s Michelin-starred The Coach, which stays closed on Tuesday and therefore wasn’t open as residents tried out their new pub throughout the day.

MailOnline headed down for grand opening and to witness the pouring of the first pint but some locals told us that the pub chain is ‘too cheap’ for the town. 

Kerridge also owns two other eateries on the street with The Hand and Flowers, the UK’s only two-star Michelin pub, as well as The Butcher’s Tap and Grill.  

While some residents were positive about the move, others raised concerns over effects on locally-ran pubs, increased anti-social behavior and whether the pub is ‘in keeping’ with the town.

Locals previously said that it will ‘spoil the demographic’ of the town and bring unruly drinkers. 

However, it was the price of menu that was highlighted with a number of residents that spoke to MailOnline.

The cheapest pint of lager on the menu at The Grand Assembly will set you back £2.49 for a Bud Light while Kerridge charges £6.50 for a pint at one his pubs on the same street.

Representatives for the chef have been contacted by MailOnline to ask his views on the renowned pub chain setting up shop across the road. 

Trudy Evans, 50, sales manager, who lives on the same road as the new pub, said it was a ‘disappointment’ to hear that Wetherspoon was moving in.

She said: ‘We have so many eateries around Marlow and the Wetherspoon brand seems to cheapens the whole area. 

‘We do got a local pub around the corner, the locals are a bit concerned about what it will do for the area and that pub indeed.

‘It was disappointment really, we want to keep the larger bigger brands out of the area.’ 

She went on to add concern over people from surrounding ‘not so nice areas’ flocking to the new pub due to its cheaper drinks. 

‘People who go to the places like The Coach they probably wouldn’t want to go,’ she added.

Julia Noakes, 48, believes the new pub ‘isn’t very Marlow’ and also said it ‘cheapens the place’.

She said: ‘It doesn’t really fit in with everything else, so I’m not too pleased about it.

‘I think people are quite savvy around here, and I can’t see lots of people flocking there. 

‘Whether people will come from outside of the area to go there, I’m not sure, but I’d like to think people will stay loyal to the independent businesses here.

‘It’s just not in keeping with the independent nature of the town.’

While, Elizabeth Whittingham added that she was ‘surprised’ to see Wetherspoon opening in the town.

She said: ‘I think it will drive other people in from other areas because it stays open late and it’s quite cheap. 

‘It is a different style of people that will come there which is in each to their own but I think that is something I wouldn’t go to.

‘I have a 21-year-old and 20-year-old, I don’t know if they will go in there, each to their own. I’m sure it will be okay but it’s just what it brings in.’ 

However, other local were excited about the new pub opening and were looking forward to cheaper drinks on their doorstep. 

Hayley Mansell, who was one of the first customers to get inside the pub saying ‘not much’ gets her out of bed early in the morning but admitted she was ‘very excited’ about the new boozer.

She said: ‘There are some days where I feel like treating myself to a fancy restaurant or a pub, £7 a pint and other day I want a quick Spoons. 

‘The bottom line is it’s all about choice. There’s room for everyone in this town.’

Ms Mansell, who says she knows TV chef Kerridge, added that ‘he is not against Spoons’. 

‘I don’t know if he will be allowed to come in but I think he is not against Wetherspoon. He’s a really ordinary guy and I think there is room for both in Marlow,’ she said. 

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said the pub was ‘packed out’ on its opening day and it has ‘been welcomed by people in Marlow’.

He said: ‘Wetherspoon has spent £3.5 million on the pub which highlights it commitment to the town.

‘Prices at the pub are competitive and we are sure that customers will welcome that.’

Laura Tilbury, 53, who presents local radio station Marlow FM, said she thinks the pub will be ‘a lot more affordable for people who can’t afford other pubs’ in the town.

She said: ‘They have done a massively fantastic job, it is very in keeping with the area. It’s very well done and I’m very impress.’

Concerns were also raised by the radio presenter about the affect on other local pubs but did say she felt Kerridge ‘is safe’.  

Mike Landers praised the decor inside pub which has historical references to the town including local artworks of painting of rowers, swan-themed wall tiles and a mirror display inspired by Mary Shelley, who wrote Frankenstein while living in the town in 1817.

He said: ‘It’s got a local touch, I like the traditional layout. I don’t actually drink so maybe the professional drinkers might not care but I like it.

‘I don’t regard it as a pub, it’s 8 o’clock and people are drinking. That is a surprise to me but I’ll have a cup of coffee and some breakfast.’

Karen Meadows, 65, said ‘it is nice’ to have a Wetherspoon in the town but will make a ‘conscious effort to support’ pubs already in the area.

While, Pamela Mackusick, 73, disagreed with the notion Marlow is ‘too posh’ for Wetherspoon.

She said: ‘It is not too posh at all, most of the people we know, we never hear any complaints. Everybody that I know who lives in Marlow is quite content and happy.’

Carole Wilks, 69, told up in arm locals that ‘you don’t have to go in there if you don’t want to’

‘I think it is a good thing for the town. I think there is enough pubs and independent places so I think it’s a good thing,’ she said.

‘I think there is room in Marlow to fit everybody not just the rich.’

Despite admitting she was surprised that Wetherspoon opening in the town, Carmel Bradley said ‘it is sad people can’t eat cheaply and Wetherspoon does that’. 

It wasn’t just locals who descended onto Marlow’s newest pub as Wetherspoon fanatics came from afar to add another location to their list.

David Bingham, who travelled from Derbyshire and has been 882 of the pub’s chains, and believes ‘all town’s should have a Wetherspoon‘.

He said: ‘From first impressions it’s absolutely fantastic. It will be a credit to the town. I am from Burton so beer is in our pub and visiting pub is what we do. It took me about four or five year and cost me a lot of money.

‘I cruised round Ireland and been to all the airport ones. I have bought plane tickets just to visit the pubs and not actually got on a plane, I have done that four times. A hobby is a hobby.

‘You have these nice Michelin star restaurants, what a great place to meet up with your friends nd have a couple of cheaper drinks before you go over and have your nice food.’

Another Wetherspoon enthusiast, Peter Dobson, 47, who has been to 547 of the chain’s pubs said ‘nowhere is too posh for a Wetherspoon’.   

He said:  ‘It is a pub for everybody and not just the wealthy people. Everyone is welcome here. 

‘Once people have tried it out for themselves I think they will like it.’