JD Wetherspoon heads to London’s Trocadero for major opening

Pub giant JD Wetherspoon has unveiled plans to open its first venue in London’s theatreland within Shaftesbury Avenue’s Trocadero building.

The venue, which will be one of Wetherspoon’s largest in the capital, will have capacity for 280 covers across more than 3,600 sq ft and be open from 7am to midnight, seven-days-a-week. 

It will be named Piccadilly Hall, after the building which once occupied the site and gave Piccadilly Circus its name. 

The venue will be opened in partnership with the building’s owner Criterion Capital, which aims to transform the Trocadero building into a major hospitality and entertainment destination. 

It will sit below Zedwell Piccadilly Circus hotel, which comprises more than 700 rooms and accommodates more than 1,400 guests a night. 

Wetherspoon will also join the expanding Zedwell & More guest membership programme, providing hotel guests with exclusive discounts and offers.

Tim Martin, founder and chairman of JD Wetherspoon, said: “We are delighted to be opening our first venue in Theatreland in partnership with Criterion Capital.

“The West End is one of the world’s great hospitality destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year, and we believe this site is exceptionally well suited to the Wetherspoon model of offering good-quality food and drink at reasonable prices in well-managed and historically interesting buildings. 

“The scale of Piccadilly Hall, together with its connection to the wider Zedwell hotel network, makes this one of the most significant openings for Wetherspoon in London for many years.

"We have always believed that pubs and hospitality venues play an important role in local economies by creating jobs, supporting tourism and providing accessible social spaces for a wide range of customers, and we look forward to becoming part of this vibrant area of the West End.”

Saskia Jiggens, group head of communications and engagement at Criterion Capital, added: “The London Trocadero has long played an important role in the story of the West End, and the opening of Piccadilly Hall marks an exciting new chapter for this global destination. 

“This partnership with JD Wetherspoon will bring a vibrant new hospitality venue to the heart of Piccadilly, adding to the Trocadero’s carefully curated mix of occupiers and welcoming theatre-goers, local residents, hotel guests and visitors from around the world. We are thrilled to see this landmark building continue to reflect the energy, accessibility and international appeal of the West End.”