A new £2.8 million Wetherspoons is set to open in south east London station next week.

JD Wetherspoon is set to open its newest pub, The Lion & the Unicorn, on Tuesday, September 3 in Waterloo station in SE1.

This new venue is located within the former Eurostar terminus and comes following a hefty £2.8 million investment.

The opening of The Lion & the Unicorn will bring 70 new jobs to the area and will welcome guests from 6.30am until midnight, Monday to Thursday, and from 6.30am until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sunday hours are slightly more relaxed, with doors opening at 7.30am and closing at midnight.

Food will be served throughout the day, from opening until 11pm and the pub boasts a wide range of real ales, traditional ciders, craft beers and world brews, including offerings from local and regional brewers.

The Lion & the Unicorn also caters to families, with children accompanied by an adult welcome until 9pm each day.

The pub’s design is a nod to its namesake, The Lion and The Unicorn Pavilion, a much-loved attraction at the 1951 Festival of Britain.

According to a spokesperson for Wetherspoon, original drawings and sketches shared by family members of the pavilion's architects and graphic designers have been woven into the design, along with historical photos and local artwork.

The Lion and The Unicorn Pavilion, a much-loved attraction at the 1951 Festival of BritainThe Lion and The Unicorn Pavilion, a much-loved attraction at the 1951 Festival of Britain (Image: Wetherspoons)

The Royal Festival Hall, the sole remaining structure from the 1951 festival, serves as a nearby reminder of this rich history.

The Festival of Britain was held from May to September 1951 and covered a 27-acre site along the South Bank, extending from Westminster Bridge to Waterloo Bridge.

It attracted over eight million visitors, who marvelled at futuristic structures like the Dome of Discovery and the towering Skylon.

Wetherspoon regional manager, Barry Brewster, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming customers into The Lion & the Unicorn and we are confident that the pub will be a great addition to Waterloo’s social scene.”

Although Wetherspoon has scaled down its pub portfolio in recent years, selling or surrendering the leases on 26 of its outlets since November, the company says it remain committed to its long-term goal of expanding from 801 venues to 1,000.