Looking at the articles about Keswick Wetherspoons on the WEB it is difficult to know what if anything is happening. We have been going to Keswick for years but because the beer prices have escalated beyond a joke we now take our own beer with us now as I object to being taken for a ride. This is a great pity as there are some really nice pubs like the Gun and Dog. We have just had a few days down London and even at the capital there is a much better choice and price of beer in the nice Sam Smiths, Wetherspoons and other independent pubs when compared with Keswick. I hope this much awaited development takes place to bring a much needed fair retailing in these austere times.

We used to visit Keswick regularly, but it is now so expensive to go in a pub there - London prices, so we don't bother. When Wetherspoons come to town, other pubs close, which might give the local publicans a kick up the behind.

@derek....It's a shame you think you need to spell out what most people take in to account when they've made their comments. Some of us are just a bit quicker perhaps !!

To all you beer price whingers - and it's not just beer, it's food and just about everything else too:

Has nobody ever told you that you are living in a "tourist honeypot"? One of the most popular towns in one of the most popular and scenic areas of the country?

Really, you would think that the sheer number of people visiting the town and spending their money would make it cheaper - retailers get more people through the door, sell more goods and therefore doesn't need to make as much profit on each item simply because they sell so many they make tons of profit anyway.

However, it doesn't quite pan out like that for a couple of possible reasons :

No 1 - the retailer is greedy and wants to make a killing and retire early
No 2 - the local council realise they can get more money for prime locations so charge the retailer more in rent & rates, therefore the retailer has to charge more to make enough money to pay the rent (& rates etc)

Either way the public lose. As the saying goes, "Life's not fair - get used to it"

Sam, no Kendal is not in the Lake District.

As others have said, Keswick desperately needs some competition when it comes to pub prices. I get fed up of not only paying more for a pint in Keswick than in Kensington, but also finding that all the pubs in the place charge the same extortionate prices (give or take a percent or two). Not a lot of free market economics going on in Keswick!

@bob. Ironically, your pro-council reply highlights all the red tape and problems they'd have in a nutshell.

Ihebson. The County Council are in no position to give a cast iron assurance about planning permission because the planning decisions would be made by the district council. Even if it was owned by the district council they couldnt give a cast iron assurance either. Every case is judged on its merits.

Such a shame- Wetherspoons would have done a fantastic job in Keswick, not only by occupying and renovating such a high profile and historic building, but by introducing some competition into the town. As it stands, Keswick is a total rip off- I can still get a quality pint of real ale in Wetherspoons in Workington for less than £2. I pity those who live in Keswick who have to pay "tourists rates". Keswick's loss unfortunately.

My family love Keswick.
Alex, as for it not being a "chain" town, Boots, WH Smiths, Mountain Range, Greggs....... You are as much of a chain town as anywhere in the country! It's the setting that makes it special.
As a family, we visit Greggs for coffee and pastries, rather than the over priced others! We would probably visit a Wetherspoons as well! The three V's....... Value, Value, Value!!!
We do love Keswick mind you.......