JD Wetherspoon is to open the first pub at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham.

The 650-strong chain will spend about £900,000 redeveloping the 6,000sq ft site of a former self-service restaurant.

The Wetherspoon’s pub, which will be non-smoking throughout, will open on 24 October and create 60 full and part-time jobs.

Chief executive John Hutson said: “This will be the first Wetherspoon pub to open within an exhibition centre and I am confident that it will be welcomed by exhibitors and visitors alike.”

NEC group catering manager Sally Davis said: “Research and feedback from our visitors show that the pub will strongly meet the needs of our customers.”

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