Pubs giant JD Wetherspoon has confirmed it has bought the mothballed former Jolly’s Hotel in Broughty Ferry and will reopen it as a pub.
The property had been on the market with an asking price of £1.2 million for more than year after trading company Tay Hotels Ltd collapsed into receivership in summer 2011.
The pub was one of the most popular venues among late-night drinkers in Broughty Ferry, boasting three public bars including a main lounge which also served as a mini nightclub for the burgh.
Wetherspoon’s has long been linked with Jolly’s but a deal for the operator to take charge of the premises fell through last December.
However, the chain later rekindled its interest and it is understood that a deal was finally concluded in the autumn, although the pub has remained closed since.
In addition to the bars, the Gray Street hotel has a total of 24 en-suite letting rooms.
Under its previous ownership, it provided jobs for more than 30 people including bar and catering staff and housekeepers.
JD Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon confirmed the property had been bought by the firm but could not say when Jolly’s would reopen its doors.
He said: “We can confirm that the company has purchased Jolly’s Hotel in Broughty Ferry and will be developing it into a pub.
“At present the company does not have any on site or opening dates. Wetherspoon is looking forward to opening the pub in due course and believes it will be a great asset to the area and also act as a catalyst for further investment from other businesses.”
Selling agents Christie + Co also confirmed that the property had been sold.
The news came as Wetherspoon said it was to open 30 new pubs and create 1,200 jobs in the UK in 2013.
The expansion plans which do not include Jolly’s because a fixed timetable for the property to be reopened is yet to be established will see the chain add to its current total of 866 pubs and bars.
The three confirmed Scottish openings in the expansion package are Oban, Fort William and Fraserburgh.
Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said the chain wanted to do more but was restricted in its growth ambitions by the levies faced by the business.
“There is no question that we would open more pubs and create more jobs in 2013 if the increasing tax burden on pubs was reduced,” he added.
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