Bexhill Wetherspoons '˜will not open in 2016'

There was much excitement earlier this week as metal hoardings were erected around the former cinema building in Western Road.

Residents believed that work was about to begin on the new pub, which was granted planning permission 17 months ago.

But a spokesperson for the pub chain said there is still no start date for the work and denied rumours that the pub will be open by the end of the year.

He also denied rumours that work to remove asbestos was currently taking place on site.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We are as committed as ever to opening our pub in Bexhill.

“It is a big project and we believe that it will be a great asset to the town and hopefully act as a catalyst for other businesses to invest in the area.

“At present there are no on site or opening dates.

“However, we have started some preliminary works.”

“The is no asbestos work at present, just survey work and structural engineer work at present.”

The pub will be called The Picture Playhouse after the cinema which was opened by the Duchess of Norfolk on the site in 1921.

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