Amber Taverns secures ex-JD Wetherspoon pub for Devon debut: Wet-led, community pub operator Amber Taverns, which is backed by Epiris, has secured a former JD Wetherspoon site in Barnstaple, Devon, for its most south westerly site so far. The circa 185-strong Amber Taverns has acquired the Water Gate in the town, which closed earlier this month. It leaves Wetherspoon with The Panniers in Barnstaple in terms of Devon locations. Propel understands Amber Taverns is to invest in excess of £500,000 redeveloping the Water Gate, with an opening planned for late March