Wetherspoons Wetherspoons J D Wetherspoon plc, branded as Wetherspoon, is a pub company in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1979 by Tim Martin, the company operates arond 900 outlets, including the chain of Lloyds No.1 bars and a growing number of Wetherspoon hotels. With its headquarters in Watford, Wetherspoon is known for converting unconventional yet attractive premises into pubs. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. Tim Martin opened his first pub in 1979, in Colney Hatch Lane in Muswell Hill, north London. Many of
Academy Cinema (Bristol) opened as the "Cheltenham Cinema", which was owned by Ralph Pringle. It was renamed as "The Plaza" and then became the "Academy Cinema" which was used as the name until its closure in 1955. In 1955 and became a Christadelphian Hall or chapel. The Wetherspoons pub chain purchased it in 1998 it was adapted for use as a bar under the name "The Magic Box". The name was chosen in honour of William Friese-Greene a Bristolian founder of cinematography. The pub closed in 2006 and was refurbished as a new venue for "Jesters Comedy Club", which opened in 2008 with