Wetherspoon rethinks legal action against North Wales pub after sign U-turn

A North Wales pub at the centre of a branding row with JD Wetherspoon has reverted to its original name. The national chain recently filed a legal claim against the Conwy pub after it added “Wetherspoons Limited” to its signage.

In March, the Abergele pub was hit by a boycott from locals after it changed its Welsh name from Pen-Y-Bont Inn to The Bridge Head – labelled a “ridiculous” English rebrand. But a spokesperson for the pub said the original name was restored six weeks ago and all signs had been changed.

The row followed a leasehold deal which has now ended, said a pub spokesperson, who added: “The pub has been taken back in hand by the owner and everything is back as it used to be. The Pen-Y-Bont has gone back to being the old Pen-Y-Bont!”

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JD Wetherspoon this morning (June 20) said it had “received confirmation that the signage has been altered”. North Wales Live understands the company’s legal team is now considering its options. Boss Sir Tim Martin had been left fuming by the pub’s actions, telling the Telegraph this week the situation was “mad”.

Sir Tim, founder and chairman of JD Wetherspoon, explained why the pub chain had resorted to legal action. He said: “We’re well known in Wales. Welsh poets Goldie Looking Chain have even memorialised us in song.”

In the song "Is It Wetherspoons", the band rapped: "Like an old folks home if it had a bar, full of people who probably read The Star. In every major city, in every major town, if you can't find a Wetherspoons, you're a f***ing clown." They also poked fun at Wetherspoons' music policy: "No jukebox the vibe is kind of subdued, but they've got polite staff and acceptable food."

In a statement, issued before being made aware of recent changes at the pub, the company confirmed: “Despite a number of requests to the pub owners to remove the reference to Wetherspoons, they refused and we have therefore had to issue court proceedings asking the court order that they do so. We hope that the matter can still be resolved amicably.” The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here’s how to sign up

The pub claims it has not been contacted by Wetherspoon since the Pen-Y-Bont Inn reverted to its original name. Companies House documents show that “Wetherspoons Ltd”, which was displayed on pub’s sign, was incorporated as a company on February 10, 2024. Its status is still listed as “active”.

When the pub’s new signage first appeared in March, local residents argued the name change was betraying the country’s heritage. Although new signage displayed its original name underneath, in much smaller writing, the decision was labelled “atrocious” and widely derided.

Now that it's gone back to being the Pen-y-Bont, many locals have applauded the move. "Not before time, great news, this is Wales," said a resident online. Some preferred the "Bridge Head" but a woman said: "Not one person I’ve spoken to about it cares what it’s called! It’s what it provides to the community that counts."

JD Wetherspoon’s name is derived from JD, a character in the 1980s TV series The Dukes of Hazzard. This was combined with Wetherspoon, the surname of one of Sir Tim’s school teachers. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

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