7am opening on the menu for new Selby pub (From York Press)

7am opening on the menu for new Selby pub

9:09am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Pints of View

The former Everatts furniture store in Gowthorpe

A NEW branch of pub chain Wetherspoons planned for Selby could open from 7am.

Proposals have been formally submitted to convert the former Everatts furniture store in Gowthorpe into the town’s first Wetherspoon’s.

The company has hoped to open a pub in Selby for some time, and The Press announced last November it had exchanged contracts on the premises.

The furniture store operated in the town for 75 years, but closed last October following three years of declining sales, blamed on the difficult financial climate.

The company is set to spend £1 million on the new outlet, which could create 40 jobs.

The plans show a customer area of about 3,328 feet, with disabled access to the front of the building as part of an entirely new timber shopfront and main entrance.

The application states: “JD Wetherspoon are keen to advertise the history of the building by displaying local history artwork around the premises. Internal areas are also decorated with commissioned artwork and sculptures created by locally sourced artists.”

As part of the application, a request has been made to open to the public at 7am daily, with closing times as late as 1.30am from Thursday to Saturday, and 12.30am on other days. The chain has operated similar hours across the country, including in York, Ripon, Whitby and Driffield, since 2010.

It sells about 275,000 breakfasts and 500,000 coffees and teas each week. More than 50 neighbouring businesses and residents have been sent consultation letters, and a decision on the change of use is due in March.

Residents can view the plans at Access Selby, or online at the council’s website, and comments and objections must be submitted by February 13.