PUB chain Wetherspoon has quashed rumours of a move to Scarborough’s Town Hall.
The company was said to by eyeing up the St Nicholas Street property after Scarborough Council announced proposals to vacate the historic premises.
It would have been Wetherspoon’s second site in the town, joining the Lord Rosebery in Westborough.
However the Watford-based chain has confirmed it has no plans to open another pub in Scarborough.
Spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “Wetherspoon is not looking at the town hall.
“The company has enjoyed and continues to enjoy great success with The Lord Rosebery, however, at present, it is not looking to add to its pubs in the town.”
The company’s stance has changed since November 2010, when it told the Evening News it had already lined up a second site in the town.
Speaking at the time Mr Gershon said: “We have always felt a town the size of Scarborough has scope for more pubs.
“Our pub in Scarborough has been very successful and we have always felt we should be looking at expanding in to a second pub in the town, possibly even a third.
“We have identified a site in Scarborough that meets our criteria, however we cannot say where it is yet as everything is still in the very early stages.”
The decline in the pub industry is believed to have been the change in plans.
Scarborough’s councillors have agreed to accept an offer of £3 million to relocate from the Town Hall.
The offer, put forward by the Homes and Community Agency, was only accepted after it was revised to allow more time for public consultation.
It has now been agreed the decision on the move will be taken by the council in July – and if they opt to stay put there is the option of giving the £3 million back to the agency.
The plans have attracted controversy, with a protest group already set up to oppose any move from the town centre.
Scarborough’s Chamber of Trade has also spoken out against any move away from the town centre over fears about the impact it will have on businesses in the area.
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