Bury St Edmunds Nostalgia - Corn Exchange Wetherspoon nears completion

In today's nostalgia we transport back to May 2012 when readers got to see the first glimpse of the highly anticipated Wetherspoon pub.

Work was nearly complete on the new venue at the Corn Exchange in Bury St Edmunds which had been brought back to life following the £1.6 million investment by the pub giant.

The building’s unique history had been preserved by a design which championed the original features while adding a modern touch.

Craig Uttley, unit manager, said: "When you come across a building of this magnitude the aim is to try and keep as much of the original features. It’s a stunning building and we wanted to preserve it.

"For people in Bury, this building means a lot to them. Our aim was to give it that wow factor.

"I think they will be extremely pleased with what we've done."

Architects RJD had rejuvenated the 1960s wooden flooring and created 1860s light fittings, which were based on original designs found in the Corn Exchange.

Columns were also preserved, the heating system restored and reflective protective covers placed on the panoramic glass roof. The artwork celebrated the history of the building and the town.

The pub would still be known as the Corn Exchange, have 240 seats and capacity for about 750 people.

The pub had its grand opening on June 5.