The Playhouse

The Playhouse is a Wetherspoon pub located in Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom. It operates as one of the many pubs in the J D Wetherspoon estate, a large UK pub company known for converting distinctive buildings—such as former theatres, cinemas, banks, and post offices—into licensed premises. The Playhouse building itself has a rich history: it originally opened in 1929 as The Playhouse Theatre, designed by John Fairweather. The first production staged there in 1929 was the Winter Garden Theatre's So This Is Love. In 1930, the venue became a cinema, and its interior was redesigned in 1931. By 1932, it had been taken over by Associated British Cinemas. The building was redeveloped in 1962 and renamed the A.B.C. In 1981, it was taken over by EMI, who used it as a bingo hall. After renovation, the building reopened as a Wetherspoon's pub in 1994. Today, The Playhouse operates as a typical Wetherspoon pub, offering a wide range of real ales, beers, wines, spirits, and food in a casual, no-frills environment. As part of J D Wetherspoon plc, it benefits from the company's scale, including regular beer festivals, promotional menus, and a focus on value. The pub is situated in Colchester town centre and serves both local residents and visitors. Its website is hosted on the J D Wetherspoon platform, providing details such as opening hours, facilities, and a location map. The Playhouse is a subsidiary of J D Wetherspoon plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker JDW. The pub's name and heritage reflect its past life as an entertainment venue, and it remains a popular spot for affordable food and drink in Colchester.

The Playhouse building in Colchester, Essex, has a history that predates its current use as a pub. It was originally constructed in 1929 as The Playhouse Theatre, designed by architect John Fairweather. The first production staged there in 1929 was the Winter Garden Theatre's So This Is Love. In 1930, the venue transitioned into a cinema, and its interior was redesigned in 1931. By 1932, the cinema had been taken over by Associated British Cinemas (ABC). The building underwent redevelopment in 1962 and was renamed the A.B.C. In 1981, it was taken over by EMI, who operated it as a bingo hall. After a period of renovation, the building reopened in 1994 as a Wetherspoon's pub, adopting the name The Playhouse. As a Wetherspoon pub, it is part of J D Wetherspoon plc, a company founded in 1979 by Tim Martin. The first Wetherspoon pub opened in Colney Hatch Lane, Muswell Hill, north London, on 9 December 1979, initially called Martin's Free House before being renamed Wetherspoons in early 1980. The company grew throughout the 1980s and 1990s, becoming known for converting large, often historic buildings into pubs offering low-priced beer and food. Wetherspoon opened its first pub in central London, Hamilton Hall at Liverpool Street station, in 1991, and its first airport pubs at Heathrow Terminal 4 in 1992. The company was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1992 as J D Wetherspoon plc, with shares issued at £1.60. The Playhouse in Colchester joined the Wetherspoon estate in 1994, benefiting from the company's established operating model. Over the years, Wetherspoon has pioneered initiatives such as non-smoking areas (first introduced in 1991 at The Tally Ho in North Finchley) and regular real-ale festivals (first held in 1990). The Playhouse continues to operate as a Wetherspoon pub, serving the Colchester community with a wide range of food and drink in a building that retains its historic character.

• 1994

  After renovation, building reopens as a Wetherspoon's pub named The Playhouse.

• 1981

  Building taken over by EMI and used as a bingo hall.

• 1962

  Building redeveloped and renamed the A.B.C.

• 1932

  Cinema taken over by Associated British Cinemas.

• 1931

  Interior of the cinema is redesigned.

• 1930

  The venue becomes a cinema.

• 1929

  The Playhouse Theatre opens in Colchester, designed by John Fairweather; first production is Winter Garden Theatre's So This Is Love.

Value-focused, no-frills pub offering affordable food and drink in a distinctive historic building.

Product categories. Real ale · Beer · Wine · Spirits · Soft drinks · Pub food · Breakfast · Burgers · Curries · Fish and chips

1. 1Award-Winning Pubs & Hotels Across The UK & Ireland - J D Wetherspoonjdwetherspoon.com
2. 2History - J D Wetherspoonjdwetherspoon.com
3. 3About us - J D Wetherspoonjdwetherspoon.com
4. 4Awards - J D Wetherspoonjdwetherspoon.com
5. 5The Playhouse - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6The Playhouse, Colchester - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org