A New Chapter for a Historic London Underground Site
JD Wetherspoon has announced the opening of its newest pub, Walham Green, located in the former entrance and ticket hall of a London Underground station. This £3 million project will open next Tuesday, marking the first of six new pubs set to debut across England in the coming months. The venue is situated on Fulham Road in West London, close to Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge stadium.
The pub occupies a Grade II-listed building that once served as the entrance and ticket hall of Fulham Broadway station. Originally named Walham Green when it opened in 1880, the station was named after a village that evolved into the area now known as Fulham Broadway. In 1905, the nearby Stamford Bridge was redeveloped into a football stadium for Chelsea, leading to increased population growth in the area. As a result, a rebuilt version of the station was opened in 1910, featuring an Edwardian baroque-style entrance designed by architect Harry Wharton Ford. This redesign included a ticket hall, shopping arcade, and offices.
In 1952, the station's name was changed to Fulham Broadway following a local campaign. However, the entrance building was eventually closed in 2003 and sold to a private developer. Over the years, the space was transformed into a TGI Fridays restaurant and later a food market before being acquired by JD Wetherspoon.
The current station entrance is now located within the Fulham Broadway shopping centre, adjacent to the new pub. The venue spans two floors and features an outside roof terrace on the first floor. It will be open from 8am until 11:30pm on Sundays through Thursdays, extending to 12:30am on Fridays and Saturdays. Food service will run from opening until 11pm daily.
A Unique Pub Experience
Walham Green will specialize in real ales, traditional ciders, craft, and world beers, offering a wide selection of draught and bottled options, including those from local and regional brewers. The pub will be family-friendly, with children allowed up to 10pm when accompanied by an adult. It will also be wheelchair accessible, featuring a specially adapted toilet for people with disabilities.
Historical elements will be incorporated into the design, with photos, local history details, and artwork showcasing the area’s heritage. Local artists will contribute to the decor, and retro train station signage will be displayed both inside and outside the pub, paying homage to its past as part of the London Underground.
Upcoming Openings Across the UK
In addition to Walham Green, JD Wetherspoon has several other openings planned this year:
- The Dictum of Kenilworth (18–24 The Square, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1EB) – opening July 29
- The Sun Wharf (50 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2TF) – opening September 2
- The Sir Alexander Fleming (5 Merchant Square, Paddington Basin, London, W2 1AS) – opening September 23
- Sigered, King of Essex (8–10 East Walk, Basildon, Essex, SS14 1HG) – opening September 30
- The Chiltern (12 Station Road, Beaconsfield, HP9 1NL) – opening December 2
Each location will offer a unique experience while maintaining the brand’s commitment to quality and community engagement.
Challenges and Optimism
Despite the recent challenges faced by the company, including a £60 million increase in labor-related costs due to rising national insurance contributions and minimum wage hikes, JD Wetherspoon remains optimistic. Chairman Tim Martin has called for government action to reduce pub food taxes, but the company reported strong sales in the 13 weeks ending April 27, with like-for-like sales up 5.6 per cent.
The chain expects a “reasonable” full-year result despite ongoing cost pressures, thanks in part to favorable weather conditions that boosted customer traffic. JD Wetherspoon will release its fourth-quarter trading statement on July 23, followed by its preliminary results announcement on October 3.
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