Southwark (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The opening of Wetherspoons’ new Southwark pub has been delayed to September, missing its original August bank holiday launch date.
The Sun Wharf, the new location, will replace the old London Dungeon in the unique brick arches at 50 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2TF, adjacent to the entrance of London Bridge station.
The opening was initially scheduled on Tuesday, August 26, two days earlier than the previously announced date of Thursday, August 28. Construction started on Monday, March 10, 2025.
The opening has been postponed till Thursday, September 2, 2025, though.
The pub will be located in the historic arches that were home to The London Dungeon for almost 40 years before the attraction relocated to County Hall on the South Bank in 2013, according to a spokeswoman.
Importers and provision agents whose companies depended on the surrounding warehouses, many of which, including Hay’s Wharf, now known as Hay’s Galleria, still stand today, were previously served by the arches at 48 to 50 Tooley Street.
The No. 1 London Bridge complex took the place of others, including Fenning’s Wharf and Sun Wharf, in the middle of the 1980s.
A Bronze Age burial mound was found on the site during its construction.
On September 11, 2024, JD Wetherspoon filed a planning application with Southwark Council, suggesting that the pub be open seven days a week from 6.30am to 12.30am. The application is still being examined.
The establishment is depicted by an artist with a large neon sign that reads, “The Sun Wharf Wetherspoon.”
Since the departure of the London Dungeon, the space had been notoriously difficult to let.
In 2017, Network Rail described the location as providing a “very poor-quality environment,” stating:
“The former user (London Dungeon) was somewhat unusual in so far as the poor-quality environment was its main attraction.
NR Commercial Property has been unable to identify other potential D2 users willing to lease the residual space in its current state.”
What is the significance of the new pub’s location near London Bridge?
The significance of the new Wetherspoons pub’s location near London Bridge lies in the area’s historic and vibrant reputation as a key social and cultural hub. London Bridge is a central transport and commercial area with strong connectivity to central London, making it a popular gathering spot for locals, commuters, and visitors.
The proximity to major landmarks such as London Bridge Station and the former London Dungeon site (which the pub is replacing) situates the pub in a high footfall area with rich historical context.
Nearby pubs in the London Bridge area are often steeped in history, some dating back centuries, serving as landmarks where communities have long gathered — blending traditional charm with modern urban life.