New pub with karaoke rooms and shuffleboard set to open in old JD Wetherspoons in Derby

A new pub opening in Derby city centre is set to create 25 jobs when it launches later this year.

Amber Taverns has been given the green light to submit plans following the purchase of the historic pub that was formerly Thomas Leaper, a JD Wetherspoons site.

Gary Roberts, operations director at Amber Taverns said: “We are currently in the process of submitting plans for listed building consent and planning, to enable us to undertake a refurbishment in the new year.

“The new pub will create around 25 full- and part-time jobs in the city. The proposed name for the new pub will be The Iron Ram based on the street name and the Ram of Derby FC.”

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The pub will offer a wide range of draught products such as Cruzcampo and Birra Moretti, plus a selection of cask ales. 

The venue will provide interactive entertainment in the form of dartboards and shuffleboards on the first floor, plus two karaoke rooms. 

There will also be a full sports package from Sky, TNT and DZAN including PPV boxing and racing channels. 

Fresh start for Spring

It is hoped the venue will be open around April time.

Gary said: “The development will take place once the planning permissions have been granted,  ideally, we will be open for Easter 2024.”

Sam Frankland of Amber Taverns added: “Amber Taverns are excited to be opening a site in Derby. 

“Our search for the right site in the city has been a long one, but we are really pleased to have secured such a great looking property in the heart of Derby’s licensed circuit. 

We will undertake a full refurbishment in 2024 and our new venue will be called The Iron Ram.”

The public house is located in the heart of Derby’s leisure circuit and was brought to the market by FHP shortly after the Wetherspoons closure of the venue in February 2023.

Tom Wragg, associate director at FHP who is acting on behalf of the landlord Telereal Trillium said: “I am massively pleased that we were able to get this deal over the line.

“There were a lot of moving parts in negotiating a surrender of the Wetherspoons lease and agreeing the sale with Amber Taverns. 

“I feel this is an important deal for Derby. It will bring a major operator into the city who is a great addition to the vibrant leisure circuit. It will coincide well with the forthcoming improvements to the area.”

It will be Amber Taverns 167th site whose upcoming openings include Airdrie, Bridgend and Motherwell.