TQ5839 : The Opera House, Tunbridge Wells
taken 15 years ago, near to Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England
Originally built as an opera house, which opened in 1902. It became a cinema in 1931 and, nearly 40 years later, made the transition into a bingo hall. Became a Wetherspoon pub in the late 1990s. Still holds occasional operas.
Grade II listed. Link
Founded in 1979 by Tim Martin, Wetherspoon is a large chain of pubs with over 1000 pubs [2018] around the UK, run by JD Wetherspoon plc.
Unlike other large chains, Wetherspoon do not operate their own brewery.
Wetherspoon are known for not playing any music.
According to the company website, the name Wetherspoon came from one of Martin's teachers in New Zealand, while the initials are those of Sheriff J D Hogg from 'The Dukes of Hazzard' TV series.
Wetherspoon also run Lloyd's N° 1 Bars which play music.
Wikipedia Link
Company website Link