- Pub group JD Wetherspoon plans to open up to 25 new sites over the year ahead following an 8.2 per cent rise in first-quarter like-for-like sales.
- Sales growth during the 14 weeks to 1 November was led by a 9.4 per cent jump in bar sales alongside a 6.8 per cent increase in food sales.
- Wetherspoon has already opened six managed pubs in the new financial year so far – in Manchester Airport, Heathrow Airport, Crewe in Cheshire, Ferndown in Dorset, Dibden Purlieu in Hampshire and Kempston in Bedfordshire.
- Chairman Tim Martin confirmed the group remains comfortable with market expectations for a full-year profit of £76.4 million.
- Mr Martin criticised recent government policies on labour costs, warning they widen the price gap between pubs and supermarkets while reducing employment.
