A familiar spot on Bristol’s A4174 near Emersons Green is preparing for a fresh chapter as it transforms from a former Beefeater restaurant into a new Wetherspoons pub. Scheduled to open its doors on 3 December, the venue will be known as The Hollybush Seam, marking the brand’s continued expansion in the region.
The Beefeater, a well-known landmark on this busy dual carriageway, closed earlier this year, sparking speculation about its future. Initially thought to become a Papas Group venue—famous for Papas Fish and Chips and Wendy’s—the plans were confirmed when JD Wetherspoon announced that the Papas Group would operate the new pub.
The Hollybush Seam name honors the Brandy Bottom Colliery’s primary coal seam, now a local historical monument. According to Wetherspoon’s website, the pub will include its own beer garden, though specific details about refurbishment and additional features remain limited.
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This opening is part of a larger collaboration between Wetherspoon and the family-run Papas Group, who recently signed a franchise agreement to manage 15 Wetherspoon sites across the UK. Andrew Papas, director of Papas Group, emphasized their commitment to revitalizing community spaces outside the traditional high street.
“These locations are central to where people live, work, and connect,” he shared. “Our partnership with Wetherspoon goes beyond expansion; it’s about restoring and reinvesting in the heart of local communities. We’re excited to create hundreds of jobs and deliver the welcoming environment and quality service that customers expect.”
Previously attached to the nearby Premier Inn, The Beefeater had served hotel guests before the hotel introduced its own breakfast facilities and separated from the restaurant. After closing, the premises were temporarily managed by the Great British Pub Company, which is also involved in several other Papas Group Wetherspoon locations across the country, including sites in Lincoln, Newcastle, Stockton, Bristol, and Barnsley.
This latest pub opening underscores Wetherspoon’s strategy to strengthen its presence in key communities while working hand-in-hand with local operators to bring new life to established venues.