A fancy £3.5m Wetherspoons has opened its doors opposite Tom Kerridges gastro pub in a picturesque riverside town but some locals have hit out at the new boozer for a strange reason.
The well-known pub chain welcomed its first customers in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, at 8am with a line forming with excited punters queuing at the door.
Named the Grand Assembly, in an apparent attempt to ingratiate itself with naysayers in the town, the pub has split opinion with residents since its was announced in was coming to the high street.
MailOnline headed down for yesterdays grand opening to witness the pouring of the first pint while locals tucked into their morning fry ups.
The pub sits opposite TV and celebrity chef Tom Kerridges Michelin-starred The Coach, which stays closed on Tuesday and therefor missed the Wetherspoons opening.
Punters lined up in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, ahead of the 8am opening time at The Grand Assembly
Wetherspoon has spent £3.5m on renovating the building but some locals believe the town is too posh for it
However, locals arrived nice and early to tuck into their breakfast while others enjoyed one of the pubs first pint
Dean and Joanne Irvine look over the menu after arriving early to be one of the new pubs first customers
The cheapest pint of lager on the menu at The Grand Assembly will set you back £2.49 for a Bud Light while Tom Kerridge charges £6.50 for a pint at one his pubs on the same street
Kerridge also owns two other eateries on the street with The Hand and Flowers, the UKs only two-star Michelin pub, as well as The Butchers Tap and Grill.
While some residents were positive about the move, others were concerned over effects on locally-ran pubs, increased anti-social behavior and whether the pub is in keeping with the town.
Locals previously said that it will spoil the demographic of the town and bring unruly drinkers.
And one reason apparent with anti-Wetherspoons fans was that the pub chain is too cheap for the town.
The cheapest pint of lager on the menu at The Grand Assembly will set you back £2.49 for a Bud Light while Kerridge charges £6.50 for a pint at one his pubs on the same street.
Representatives for the chef have been contacted by MailOnline to ask his views on the renowned pub chain setting up shop across the road.
Trudy Evans, 50, sales manager, who lives on the same road as the new pub, said it was a disappointment to hear that Wetherspoons was moving in.
She said: We have so many eateries around Marlow and the Wetherspoon brand seems to cheapens the whole area.
We do got a local pub around the corner, the locals are a bit concerned about what it will do for the area and that pub indeed.
It was disappointment really, we want to keep the larger bigger brands out of the area.
She went on to add concern over people from surrounding not so nice areas flocking to the new pub due to its cheaper drinks.
Trudy Evans, 50, sales manager, who lives on the same road as the pub, said it was a disappointment to hear that Wetherspoons was moving next door
Elizabeth Whittingham added that she was surprised to see Wetherspoons opening in the town
TV and celebrity chef has three eateries in the town including Michelin starred The Coach which sits opposite the new Wetherspoons
The Grand Assembly will open at 8am and remain open until 1am on Friday and Saturday
People who go to the places like The Coach they probably wouldnt want to go, she added.
Julia Noakes, 48, believes the new pub isnt very Marlow and also said it cheapens the place.
She said: It doesnt really fit in with everything else, so Im not too pleased about it.
I think people are quite savvy around here, and I cant see lots of people flocking there.
Whether people will come from outside of the area to go there, Im not sure, but Id like to think people will stay loyal to the independent businesses here.
Its just not in keeping with the independent nature of the town.
While, Elizabeth Whittingham added that she was surprised to see Wetherspoons opening in the town.
She said: I think it will drive other people in from other areas because it stays open late and its quite cheap.
It is a different style of people that will come there which is in each to their own but I think that is something I wouldnt go to.
I have a 21-year-old and 20-year-old, I dont know if they will go in there, each to their own. Im sure it will be okay but its just what it brings in.
Julia Noakes, 48, believes the new pub isnt very Marlow and it will cheapen the place
Punters sit down in the new pub as they ordered their breakfast as soon as the doors opened
Named the Grand Assembly, in an apparent attempt to ingratiate itself with naysayers in the town, the pub has divided opinion since its was announced in was coming to the town
Breakfast is up: Locals queued outside the pub for the 8am opening to try out their new pub
However, other local were excited about the new pub opening and were looking forward to cheaper drinks on their doorstep.
Hayley Mansell, who was one of the first customers to get inside the pub saying not much gets her out of bed early in the morning but admitted she was very excited about the new boozer.
She said: There are some days where I feel like treating myself to a fancy restaurant or a pub, £7 a pint and other day I want a quick Spoons.
The bottom line is its all about choice. Theres room for everyone in this town.
Ms Mansell, who says she knows TV chef Kerridge, added that he is not against Spoons.
I dont know if he will be allowed to come in but I think he is not against Wetherspoons. Hes a really ordinary guy and I think there is room for both in Marlow, she said.
Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said the pub was packed out on its opening day and it has been welcomed by people in Marlow.
He said: Wetherspoon has spent £3.5 million on the pub which highlights it commitment to the town.
Prices at the pub are competitive and we are sure that customers will welcome that.
Hayley Mansell was one of the first customers to get inside the pub admitting she was very excited about the new boozer
Laura Tilbury, 53, who presents local radio station Marlow FM, said she think it will be a lot more affordable for people who cant afford other pubs in the town
Carmel Bradley added that it is sad people cant eat cheaply and Wetherspoons does that
The new Wetherspoons sits opposite The Coach which is owned by Michelin starred chef Tom Kerridge
Laura Tilbury, 53, who presents local radio station Marlow FM, said she thinks the pub will be a lot more affordable for people who cant afford other pubs in the town.
She said: They have done a massively fantastic job, it is very in keeping with the area. Its very well done and Im very impress.
Concerns were also raised by the radio presenter about the affect on other local pubs but did say she felt Kerridge is safe.
Mike Landers praised the decor inside pub which has historical references to the town including local artworks of painting of rowers, swan-themed wall tiles and a mirror display inspired by Mary Shelley, who wrote Frankenstein while living in the town in 1817.
He said: Its got a local touch, I like the traditional layout. I dont actually drink so maybe the professional drinkers might not care but I like it.
I dont regard it as a pub, its 8 oclock and people are drinking. That is a surprise to me but Ill have a cup of coffee and some breakfast.
Karen Meadows, 65, said it is nice to have a Wetherspoons in the town but will make a conscious effort to support pubs already in the area.
Mike Landers said: I dont regard it as a pub, its 8 oclock and people are drinking. That is a surprise to me but Ill have a cup of coffee and some breakfast
Karen Meadows, 65, (left) said it is nice to have a Wetherspoons in the town but will make a conscious effort to support pubs already in the area
Locals made their first orders at the new Wetherspoons which has split opinion in the town
The pub has historical references to the town including local artworks of painting of rowers, swan-themed wall tiles and a mirror display inspired by Mary Shelley, who wrote Frankenstein while living in the town in 1817
As well as breakfast and beer, punters also took the fruit machines inside the pub
While, Pamela Mackusick, 73, disagreed with the notion Marlow is too posh for Wetherspoons.
She said: It is not too posh at all, most of the people we know, we never hear any complaints. Everybody that I know who lives in Marlow is quite content and happy.
Carole Wilks, 69, told up in arm locals that you dont have to go in there if you dont want to
I think it is a good thing for the town. I think there is enough pubs and independent places so I think its a good thing, she said.
I think there is room in Marlow to fit everybody not just the rich.
Despite admitting she was surprised that Wetherspoons opening in the town, Carmel Bradley said it is sad people cant eat cheaply and Wetherspoons does that.
It wasnt just locals who descended onto Marlows newest pub as Wetherspoons fanatics came from afar to add another location to their list.
David Bingham, who travelled from Derbyshire and has been 882 of the pubs chains, and believes all towns should have a Wetherspoons.
Peter Dobson, 47, and David Bingham travel to every Wetherspoons they can in an attempt to see them all
He said: From first impressions its absolutely fantastic. It will be a credit to the town. I am from Burton so beer is in our pub and visiting pub is what we do. It took me about four or five year and cost me a lot of money.
I cruised round Ireland and been to all the airport ones. I have bought plane tickets just to visit the pubs and not actually got on a plane, I have done that four times. A hobby is a hobby.
You have these nice Michelin star restaurants, what a great place to meet up with your friends nd have a couple of cheaper drinks before you go over and have your nice food.
Another Wetherspoons enthusiast, Peter Dobson, 47, who has been to 547 of the chains pubs said nowhere is too posh for a Wetherspoons.
He said: It is a pub for everybody and not just the wealthy people. Everyone is welcome here.
Once people have tried it out for themselves I think they will like it.