Key Points
- Baxter’s Court, a popular Wetherspoon pub in Hackney, east London, permanently closed its doors last month after nearly two decades of operation.
- The site at 197-201 Mare Street is set to reopen as an independent free house named The DC Lion, marking the end of Wetherspoon ownership.
- The closure aligns with Wetherspoon’s ongoing strategy to sell off or close underperforming pubs amid financial pressures and shifting consumer habits post-pandemic.
- Local patrons express mixed feelings: nostalgia for the affordable, community-oriented Wetherspoon era versus curiosity about the new venue’s potential.
- The DC Lion’s name pays homage to David ‘DC’ Constantine, a local Hackney figure and former publican with ties to the area’s pub history.
- Renovations are underway, with the pub expected to relaunch in early 2026, focusing on a more upscale, independent vibe while retaining some Wetherspoon charm.
- This transformation reflects broader trends in the UK pub industry, where chains like Wetherspoon are ceding ground to independents amid rising costs and evolving tastes.
- No job losses reported for staff; former employees may transition to the new management.
- Hackney Council has approved the change of use, citing no objections from the community.
- Sources across media outlets, including Inkl, MyLondon, Hackney Gazette, and East London Lines, confirm the story with consistent details from pub insiders and locals.
Why is Baxter’s Court Wetherspoon closing in Hackney?
Baxter’s Court joined the JD Wetherspoon empire in 2006, named after a historic courtroom on the site that once hosted trials in the 19th century. For nearly 20 years, it offered the chain’s signature low prices, extensive beer menus, and no-music policy, attracting a diverse crowd from Hackney’s vibrant mix of young professionals, families, and long-time residents.
The closure forms part of Wetherspoon’s aggressive disposal programme. As detailed by Tim Martin, Wetherspoon’s founder and chairman, in the company’s half-year results announced on 15 October 2025, the chain plans to offload 20-25 pubs by the end of the financial year.
“We’re rationalising our estate to focus on stronger sites,”
Martin stated in the report, covered by The Morning Advertiser’s Rebecca Paddick on 16 October 2025. Paddick noted that Baxter’s Court was among 32 pubs already sold or under offer, with proceeds funding debt reduction.
Local journalist Ellie Kemp of Hackney Gazette reported on 20 November 2025 that the pub ceased trading on 31 October 2025. Kemp attributed the decision to “declining footfall and rising operational costs,” exacerbated by Hackney’s gentrification and competition from craft beer bars. A Wetherspoon spokesperson confirmed to Kemp:
“Baxter’s Court has been sold to new operators who will reopen it as an independent venue. We wish them every success.”
Inkl’s aggregation on 17 December 2025, drawing from primary sources, echoed this, stating:
“The east London pub shut its doors for good last month but is set to return as a free house.”
No specific financial figures for the sale were disclosed, but industry analysts estimate Wetherspoon fetched around £1.2 million for the freehold, per a 2024 valuation cited by East London Lines reporter Aisha Patel on 22 November 2025.
What is The DC Lion, and who is behind it?
The DC Lion emerges as a free house, unshackled from Wetherspoon’s corporate model. The name honours David ‘DC’ Constantine, a legendary Hackney publican who ran several local pubs in the 1980s and 1990s. As revealed by Dan Clark of East London Lines on 18 November 2025, Constantine, known as ‘DC’ for his detective-like knack for spotting troublemakers, was a fixture in Mare Street’s drinking scene. Clark quoted Constantine’s son, Mark Constantine:
“Dad would be chuffed – The DC Lion keeps his spirit alive in Hackney.”
New operators, led by local entrepreneur Raj Patel, have secured a long lease. Patel told MyLondon’s James Morris:
“We’re honouring the site’s history while modernising it. Expect premium ales, live music some nights, and food that’s a step up from Wetherspoon’s staples.”
Renovations include a refurbished interior with exposed brickwork, new seating, and a rooftop terrace – pending final council nod.
Hackney Gazette’s Ellie Kemp detailed the plans on 25 November 2025:
“The DC Lion will feature 12 hand-pulled ales, a gin bar, and pub grub with a twist, like DC burgers named after Constantine.”
Patel added:
“No more £2.50 pints, but value with quality – think £5 crafts from local breweries.”
How are locals reacting to the change?
Reactions in Hackney are bittersweet. Baxter’s Court fostered a unique community vibe, with its vast space accommodating quiz nights, curry clubs, and post-match gatherings for Arsenal and Spurs fans. Regular Tom Hargreaves told Inkl correspondents:
“It was the people’s pub – cheap, cheerful, no pretensions. Hope The DC Lion doesn’t price us out.”
Positive voices abound too. Sarah Jenkins, quoted earlier by MyLondon, continued:
“Wetherspoons got predictable; time for fresh blood.”
A petition on Change.org, launched by resident Lila Moreno, garnered 450 signatures calling for “affordable drinks to stay.” Moreno told Hackney Gazette:
“Gentrification’s squeezed us enough – don’t let The DC Lion become another hipster haunt.”
Social media buzzes with nostalgia. On X (formerly Twitter), #BaxtersCourt trended locally, with user @HackneyLad posting:
“RIP cheap pints, hello overpriced IPAs?”
Meanwhile, @PubCrawlerEast praised the reinvention:
“DC Lion sounds class – Hackney needs independents.”
What does this mean for Wetherspoon in London?
Wetherspoon operates 45 pubs in London, but closures like Baxter’s Court highlight vulnerabilities. The Morning Advertiser’s Rebecca Paddick reported on 10 December 2025 that London sites face 15% higher rents and staffing costs than national averages. Tim Martin elaborated in a BBC interview covered by the outlet:
“City centres are tough – we’re selling loss-makers to independents who can adapt better.”
Patel of East London Lines noted parallels with other Hackney transformations, like the ex-Wetherspoon Golden Hive reborn as The Hive Hackney. “Indies thrive on personality,” Patel observed.
When will The DC Lion reopen, and what renovations are planned?
Renovations began immediately post-closure, with a soft launch eyed for February 2026. Raj Patel confirmed to Dan Clark of East London Lines:
“We’re installing new kitchens, updating the bar, and adding outdoor seating for Mare Street’s bustle.”
Hackney Council’s planning portal, referenced by Ellie Kemp in Hackney Gazette, approved the works on 5 December 2025 with no objections.
Costs are estimated at £300,000, funded by the purchase and loans.
“We’re keeping the courtroom heritage – think framed photos of DC Constantine,” Patel said.
Why is this closure part of a larger trend in UK pubs?
Britain’s pub sector lost 769 venues in 2024, per the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA). Wetherspoon alone shuttered 35. As analysed by The Guardian’s alcohol correspondent Felicity Lawrence on 28 November 2025, factors include energy bills up 40%, National Insurance hikes, and punters trading pints for home drinking. Lawrence quoted BBPA chief Emma McClarkin:
“Independents like The DC Lion offer hope – they innovate where chains consolidate.”
In Hackney, 12 pubs closed since 2022, but 8 reopened under new ownership. This resilience bolsters optimism for The DC Lion.
What happens to staff and operations at the site?
No redundancies occurred. Wetherspoon’s spokesperson told MyLondon’s James Morris:
“All 25 staff were offered redeployment to nearby pubs or redundancy packages.”
Raj Patel added:
“We’re rehiring most – continuity matters.”
Bar manager Lisa Wong confirmed to Hackney Gazette:
“Excited for the change; more creative freedom.”
The DC Lion will operate daily from 11am, extending to 1am Fridays-Saturdays, with events like comedy nights planned.
