Rumours have surfaced this week that J D Wetherspoon, the national pub chain, may be planning to open a second ‘super pub’ in Cambridge.

The Cambridge News reported this week that Wetherspoon is close to purchasing The Graduate on Chesterton Road, raising the possibility that a new ‘super-pub’, similar to the Regal on Regent Street, may be forthcoming.

The Graduate closed suddenly in 2008 for "refurbishment". The pub, currently owned by Barfly, was once the biggest pub in Cambridge. In its time it was hailed as "an excellent student pub, with a great atmosphere and brilliant music" by local pub review sites. In recent years, however, the 250-patron capacity site has remained empty and become a target for vandals.

Wetherspoon’s current location in Cambridge, The Regal, described on the company’s website as "a veritable palace", is familiar to students and locals alike as a favourite cheap nightspot.

The Regal pub is part of a chain of newer-style bars, under the "Lloyds No. 1" brand. These bars differ from the traditional Wetherspoon pub since they play contemporary music, have mounted television screens to display music videos, and have mini dance floors. It is not yet clear whether The Graduate would similarly be part of this "Loyds No. 1 brand".

News of a possible second pub opening prompted one St Catharine’s student to comment, "Super pub, super drink, and super times!"

However, not everyone is as enthusiastic. A student from St John’s commented, "I hate those mass chains. British pubs are meant to have charm, not just cheap booze."

If The Graduate re-opens under new management, local pubs are likely to suffer. On Chesterton Road alone there are three other pubs, the Jolly Waterman, The Boathouse, and The Portland Arms. With many pubs in Cambridge facing an uncertain future, such as The Penny Ferry, which is soon to close, a second Wetherspoon may not be welcomed by some.

The news is also likely to be unwelcome to nearby residents, many of whom objected to the late night noise at the old venue.

Barfly, the current owner of The Graduate, is known for operating venues of indie rock music and for running famous sites such as the Hammersmith Apollo. Barfly, along with its parent company, the Mama Group, was sold to HMV for £46 million in December 2009.

In January of last year, Barfly succeeded in an application to extend the pub’s opening hours to 2am on Saturdays, and midnight between Sunday and Friday. However, this has not aided business at the pub, which has remained shut.

Wetherspoon has recently been in the news for its "99p pint" drinks offer, causing many critics to accuse it of encouraging binge drinking. The company is owned by the infamous Tim Martin, whose publicised views include the notorious statement that "this government is to common sense what Tiger Woods is to monogamy."

J D Wetherspoon has declined to comment on the prospective takeover.