£3m investment in 02 pub by JDW

JD-Wetherspoon-investing-3m-in-the-O2-pub.jpg
Company news: the new venue is set to open its doors in February 2023 (image: Getty/Red Blu Productions)

Pub group JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has announced a new pub opening in February next year at London entertainment venue The O2.

The Greenwich landmark is owned and operated by Waterfront Limited Partnership – a joint venture between AEG and Crosstree Real Estate Partners.

JDW is pumping almost £3m in the new site, which will be within The O2’s Entertainment District, adjacent to Mamma Mia! The Party.

It will be named the Stargazer, paying tribute to its North Greenwich home and the location’s association with astronomy.

Job creation

There will be a 3,800sq ft beer garden, featuring views across the Thames and Canary Wharf, creating up to 70 jobs.

JDW chairman Tim Martin said: “We are delighted to be opening a pub at The O2. We believe it will prove popular with customers of all ages.”

The Stargazer will join a plethora of bars and restaurants in The O2’s Entertainment District alongside an extensive leisure offer.

The O2 entertainment district and icon outlet managing director Janine Constantin-Russell said: “Like the O2, JDW is a household name and we are absolutely thrilled they are joining our diverse line up of bars and restaurants.

“We are proud to celebrate national and independent brands here at The O2 and look forward to the Stargazer opening in what will be an exceptionally strong year at the destination with a fantastic line up of events plus more dining, shopping and leisure options than ever before.”

Company update

This follows the news JDW is selling seven of its sites, in addition to the 32 the group put on the market earlier this year (September).

The pub company’s latest trading update revealed like-for-like sales in the first 14 weeks of the financial year were 9.6% higher than the same period the previous year.

It was also marginally higher (0.4%) than the 14 weeks ending 3 November 2019 while labour, food and repairs have been a substantial cost.

The update also showed the business opened one pub during the 14 weeks to 6 November 2022 and sold five.