London Trocadero, a well-known building located at 30 Shaftesbury Avenue, held various purposes over the years. However, it gained fame among millennials for its time as a popular indoor amusement park called SegaWorld, later known as Funland, from 1996 to 2011. The complex featured seven floors filled with neon lights, offering attractions like a significant indoor drop ride and multiple coin-operated arcade machines from the gaming golden era.
Following its closure, the Trocadero remained vacant until 2025 when Zedwell Piccadilly, a pod hotel, took over a significant portion of the space, transforming it into a hotel with 728 windowless rooms and a spacious rooftop bar. Presently, plans are underway to convert part of the structure into a sizable JD Wetherspoon branch, set to be one of the largest in London and the chain’s first establishment in the city’s Theatreland district.
The upcoming pub, named Piccadilly Hall, draws its name from a historical hall that played a role in naming Piccadilly Circus centuries ago. Spanning over 3,600 square feet with a capacity for 280 guests, the venue will operate from 7 am to midnight, seven days a week. Serving Wetherspoon’s renowned breakfasts and all-day menus, Piccadilly Hall aims to attract theatergoers, tourists, and locals due to its central location, although an official opening date is yet to be announced.
In related news, JD Wetherspoon recently launched its first overseas branch at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, offering a mix of British pub fare and Spanish favorites. The chain further expanded its presence with four new branches within Haven holiday parks. Upcoming ventures include The Sir Ronald Wates in Guildford, the first university-owned Wetherspoon on a University of Surrey campus, and The William Chambers in Edinburgh, set in a building formerly known for its multi-storey bar and club.
Tim Martin, founder and chairman of JD Wetherspoon, expressed excitement about the forthcoming venue in Theatreland, highlighting the brand’s commitment to providing quality food and drinks at reasonable prices in historically significant buildings. He looks forward to integrating Wetherspoon into the vibrant West End area, which attracts millions of visitors annually.
