Name of Hitchin Wetherspoon is a nod to town’s historic past

Picture of the original fifteenth century Angel Vaults – knocked down in the 1950s, after a property developer declared it ‘unsafe’ Photo submitted by Hitchin Historical Society Archant

The name of the JD Wetherspoon pub which is coming to Hitchin has been revealed.

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The shortlist of names: The Sir Henry Bessemer The William Lucas The Wearybones Inn Angel Vaults Lord Robert Cecil Baron Dimsdale John Crabb The Hop Loft

The pub chain will be taking up residence in Hitchin Conservative Club on Sun Street, with a spokesman confirming that the new pub will be called Angel Vaults.

The spokesman added that the company was locked in negotiations with planning authority North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC) and could not confirm a date for the opening.

Its name refers to the medieval inn, The Angel Vaults, from which the road Angel Street was named – now known as Sun Street. It was decided after a shortlist of suggestions were put forward by the Hitchin Historical Society.

Phil Rowe, chairman of the society, said: “It is a shame an opportunity was not taken to commemorate someone like Sir Henry Bessemer – Wetherspoon say they already have a pub named after him – or William Lucas. But Angel Vaults does at least have a local historical connection.”

Hitchin conservative club up for sale Hitchin conservative club up for sale

Weatherspoon and the Conservative club exchanged contracts in July last year.

The move will mean the 250 members of the Hitchin Conservative Club will be left homeless if they are unable to secure new premises.

A spokesman for NHDC said: “The council is currently holding pre-planning application discussions with JD Wetherspoon.”