Hundreds of punters flocked to Wetherspoon’s first ever holiday park pub on its opening weekend with some meals selling out by lunchtime.
The Five Stones in Primrose Valley Holiday Park, Filey, Yorkshire, welcomed its first customers as pubgoers went to get Spoons on their staycations.
The first pints of the day were pulled well before noon on Saturday and staff raced around delivering food and drink with constant queues at the bar.
One of the first meals to sell out was the £5.36 children’s portion of spaghetti bolognese.
The large restaurant area was soon heaving with more than 300 hungry punters getting out of the cold and rain.
Hundreds of punters flocked to Wetherspoon’s first ever holiday park pub on its opening weekend. Chris and Jodie Winspear, both 32, from Hartlepool, were among the first to arrive
The Five Stones in Primrose Valley Holiday Park, Filey, Yorkshire, welcomed its first customers as pubgoers went to get Spoons on their staycations
The Five Stones will, during peak season, be open Sunday to Thursday from 8am to 12am and Friday and Saturday from 8am to 1am
The pub, which also caters for people not staying at the Haven holiday park, was open from 8am.
Haven Holidays has signed an exclusive agreement with JD Wetherspoon, which operates over 830 pubs in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
It comes as the leisure company is investing £4 million into its food and drink offerings.
The decor inside The Five Stones reflected Filey’s history as a fishing port and holiday destination.
It included seaside posters and old photographs such as when the village had its own aerodrome in the early days of flight.
Holidaymakers who are regulars at their local Spoons were delighted to be able to enjoy the experience while caravanning.
Kieron Blan, 19, a rugby pro for Bradford Bulls reserve team, was enjoying an early morning Coca Cola with partner Leila Chalders, 18.
Alison and Andy Lloyd, aged 53 and 58, only checked in the night before but were already planning their first Spoons date
The first pints of the day were pulled well before noon on Saturday and staff raced around delivering food and drink with constant queues at the bar
Kieron Blan, 19, a rugby pro for Bradford Bulls reserve team, enjoyed an early morning Coca Cola with partner Leila Chalders, 18
He said: ‘It has been really good. It is just nice to be somewhere we know. We go to the one in Leeds all the time. It is nice.
‘We like it because it is a cheap boozer. We had some breakfast here this morning. I think it is great having one here.
‘Last night we had a few beers. It was really busy – rammed. After last night we needed alcohol free coke.
Nodding in agreement, nursery worker Laila added: ‘We came even though it is freezing. It is very convenient having one on a holiday park.
‘I come to Primrose Valley all the time. My nan owns a caravan here. It was Mash and Barrel before Wetherspoons. But the food is a lot cheaper now and we are familiar with the menu.
Alison and Andy Lloyd, aged 53 and 58, only checked in the night before but were already planning their first Spoons date.
Alison said: ‘We only turned up last night but have already had a look a menu. It looks like you have a good choice.
‘It is a little bit more pricey than your usual Spoons.
‘It is where it is. They have got a monopoly.
‘It is our first trip out this year. We are quite local and have a touring caravan which we can park on site and this time of year it is really cheap.
Admiring the nautical themed wallpaper, George Cronshaw, 74, a retired service engineer, went to check out the menu for him and his grandkids.
Sandra Riley, 77, a retired home care worker from Huddersfield, was one of the customers
The pub is located in Primrose Valley Holiday Park, Filey, Yorkshire (pictured)
George Cronshaw, 74, a retired service engineer went to check out the menu for him and his grandkids
He said: ‘I have not got a clue what I will have yet. I go to Spoons regularly in Whitby where I live. I love the cheap beer.
‘I went to the previous pub that was here but it was expensive. I used to travel into town on the bus using my bus pass to get cheaper beer.
Another Hartlepool Spoons regular and mum of two Laura Sorby, 30, was looking forward to a family meal.
She said: ‘You cannot beat Spoons. It is so affordable and I do like a bottle of Desperado – but not too many.’
Sandra Riley, 77, a retired home care worker from Huddersfield, said: ‘I think it is great. The only trouble is we have got dogs.
‘So we can only go on the terraces. The top terrace used to have big umbrellas and they have taken them down. I think they are missing a trick.
‘Usually spoons do not let dogs in their pubs or beer gardens. Wherever we are we always go to Spoons but not with the dogs.
‘I usually have a gin and tonic. We have not been inside yet. But I have looked on line and seen it is good value.
‘I came here when it was the old pub. We sat outside with the dogs. The trouble is everyone brings their dogs here. There is usually loads.
‘There is some undercover seating though.|’
Chris and Jodie Winspear, both 32, from Hartlepool, were also among the first to arrive. She said: ‘I think it is a really good idea.
‘We did not think it was opening until the end of the month so we were delighted when we came this morning and found the doors open. I have come here since I was a baby.’
The name The Five Stones links to several Roman ‘finds’ that have been unearthed in and around Filey.
In 1924, fragments of Roman pottery were discovered near what is now the main entrance of the holiday park.
Peter Blake, Chief Operating Officer at Haven, said ‘We are thrilled to be the first holiday provider to partner with one of the UK’s leading and much-loved pub operators.
‘This new venture underlines our dedication to growing our food and beverage partnerships and offering for our holidaymakers and holiday home owners.’
Michael Barron, Commercial Director of Wetherspoon, said, ‘We are delighted to be partnering with Haven and are confident that the pub will prove popular with holidaymakers.’
