JD Weatherspoons has confirmed that they have acquired the site of the Hippodrome Bingo club on Dartford Rd, March, Cambridgeshire. The announcement was made on the day the company announced that its new pub in Whittlesey will open on Friday, with the creation of 50 jobs.

The new Whittlesey pub where they have spent £1.2 million converting the former George and Star in Market Place, is a Grade II listed building and has been a town centre landmark for around 200 years.

Wetherspoon’s refused to discuss details of their latest purchase as they have yet to confirm a planning application for the change of use that will be required to change it to a pub.

The Hippodrome is located on the March retail pitch. The large building provides a substantial development opportunity for the new owners, with a floor space of around 8000 sq ft. There is a proposed college campus nearby which was due to be completed this year providing accommodation for around 10,000 students. A public car park is located directly opposite the side of the building.

The free of tie lease was expected to have come with a rental of around £55k

Mark Petrou, co owner of the Hippodrome, has declined to comment on the future of the site. Mr Petrou and his family ran the bingo club briefly after buying it from Wisbech entrepreneur Norman Jacobs.