The branch's first Wetherspoons pub, the Grey Friar on Friargate in Preston closed on June 28th. The pub had opened in 1996 and throughout its near 30 years history had been popular with Preston's drinkers. It is understood that the reason given by Wetherspoons for the closure was that their present lease had come to an end.

Two weeks later on July 13th the pub was back open, with the same pub name but now coming under the ownership of an independent pub operator Friar Limited. Keeping things much as they were before, the 'new' Grey Friar was initially selling handpumped beers from Bowland, Lees, Moorhouses, Robinsons, and the Three B's brewery, while also retained were the special meal deals specific to individual weekdays.

For those who prefer to remain loyal to Wetherspoons, Preston still has the Twelve Tellers on Church Street, while in our branch area there are also Wetherspoons pubs in Chorley, Leyland, and Ormskirk.