Wetherspoons unveils plans to open 15 new pubs - is one coming to a town near YOU?
British pub giant Wetherspoons has announced plans to launch 15 brand new sites in the coming days amid a surge in sales.
The company has already unveiled two new pubs this year so far and is planning to build on that number with its ambitious plans already locked in.
It comes as Wetherspoons revealed like-for-like purchases had jumped 5.6 per cent in the 13 weeks to April 27 this morning.
Six locations have already been confirmed with around nine more due to open by July 2026, The Sun reports.
First up is The Conister Arms in Douglas, Isle of Man, set to open on Wednesday May 14.
Next is Walham Green at Fulham Broadway, South West London, with an opening date of Tuesday June 17.
The Dictum of Kenilworth in Warwickshire will open on Wednesday July 30 while The Sun Wharf on Tooley Street near London Bridge will welcome punters on Tuesday August 26.
On Tuesday September 23 The King of Essex in Basildon will open its doors.
And finally, a new pub in Merchant Square, Paddington, is set to open later this summer, though the exact date is yet to be confirmed.
In the last quarter, Wetherspoons unveiled four new franchised pubs in partnership with Haven Holiday Parks.
These include The Red Rocks at Devon Cliffs, The Humber Stone at Cleethorpes Beach in Lincolnshire, The London Stone at Kent Coast, and The Sir Thomas Haggerston at Haggerston Castle in Northumberland.
It's not always been all sunshine and rainbows for the company however as in the most recent quarter Wetherspoons sold off seven venues - as total sales rose by a modest five per cent (and by four per cent for the year so far).
The national landscape also presents a less than pretty picture as last month, figures from the British Beer and Pub Association revealed around six pubs permanently closed every week last year, leading to the loss of 4500 jobs across England and Wales.
According to the trade body, 289 pubs called last orders for the final time in 2024, and more closures are expected this year amid higher National Insurance contributions and increases to minimum wage.
In January, the pub chain told The Sun it had increased the price of some of its drinks and meal deals by up to 30p.
Though, the cost of certain drinks - like Budweiser, Carling and Coors - remained unchanged.
Despite the challenges, Wetherspoons is optimistic for a 'reasonable' full-year result.
Chairman Tim Martin said: 'The company's main ambition, as always, is to improve its appeal to staff and customers.
'In this connection, for example, the company has invested in new staff facilities in 520 pubs (49 in the current year), including staff rooms and changing rooms, with approximately 270 planned for the future.
'The investment per pub is approximately £100,000. The product range for customers continues to evolve.'
The comments come as Wetherspoons is expected to introduce a new 'gourmet' food range from May 14.
Among its features are a range of new burgers including The Big Smoke - complete with pulled BBQ beef brisket, American-style cheese, and maple-cured bacon.
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