The Angel Inn Reopens in Wetherby After £2.9m Restoration
As a proud Wetherby resident, I’ve been keeping a close and curious eye on the transformation of the old Sant’ Angelo restaurant on the High Street. The arrival of a new JD Wetherspoon pub has been a huge talking point locally, sparking plenty of debate across community groups and conversations around town – with opinions firmly split.
Now, though, the wait is almost over. JD Wetherspoon has confirmed that its new Wetherby pub, The Angel Inn, will officially open its doors on Tuesday 23 December, bringing with it 60 new jobs for the local area.
The company has invested £2.9 million into the redevelopment of the prominent Grade II-listed building, carefully breathing new life into a much-loved landmark that has been closed since 2022. For the past 13 years it operated as an Italian restaurant and ice cream parlour, but before that, it was – fittingly – a pub once again.
In fact, the building’s history runs deep. Photos from around 1900 show it as The Angel Hotel, while older drawings and an 1824 map of Wetherby list it as The Angel Inn. Between 1760 and 1840, it was the town’s leading coaching inn, where stagecoaches stopped to change horses and passengers paused for food and refreshment. It’s a rich past that feels very much at home in Wetherby’s story.
The new Angel Inn will be managed by Aysha Reevell, and will be open seven days a week from 8am until midnight, with food served all day until 11pm. The pub will specialise in real ales, traditional ciders, craft beers and world beers, alongside bottled options from local and regional brewers – something that’s likely to appeal to both long-time locals and visitors alike.
Families will also be welcome, with children allowed in the pub when accompanied by an adult until 9pm throughout the week. Accessibility has been thoughtfully considered too, with full wheelchair access and a specially adapted toilet for customers with disabilities.
One of the most reassuring aspects of the redevelopment is the care taken to respect the building’s heritage. Original features such as stone fireplaces and sash windows have been preserved, while the interior design draws inspiration from Wetherby’s architectural character, incorporating timber ceiling beams, heritage-style panelling, feature tiling and flagstone-inspired flooring.
Historical photographs, artwork and images celebrating local scenes and characters are displayed throughout the pub, grounding it firmly in the town’s identity. Outside, a landscaped beer garden offers additional seating in a setting designed to complement the historic surroundings.
Speaking ahead of the opening, pub manager Aysha Reevell said:
“Myself and my team are looking forward to welcoming customers into The Angel Inn and we are confident that the pub will be a great addition to the local social scene.”
The timing is notable, too. Both Wetherby and nearby Knaresborough have found themselves in the spotlight this winter thanks to Tinsel Town, a new Christmas film released on Sky earlier this month and shot across the two towns. While the film itself is festive escapism, it has drawn fresh attention to the area — which may help explain the heightened interest in places like this, and why familiar names are choosing to invest here right now.
While opinions on its arrival may still vary, there’s no denying that The Angel Inn marks the revival of a historic Wetherby building, returning it to its roots as a place for people to gather, eat, drink and connect – just as it has done for centuries.
30 High Street, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS22 6LT
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