Wetherspoon plans 25 new pubs after strong sales growth

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 4 Nov, 08:33 · Archive

JD Wetherspoon plans to open up to 25 new bars in the year ahead after reporting an 8.2% rise in like-for-like first-quarter sales.

JD Wetherspoon has announced plans to open up to 25 new bars in the year to August, comprising five to ten managed pubs and ten to 15 franchised sites. The chain will add to its current 797 managed pubs and 25 franchised locations. Six managed pubs have already opened in the new financial year, at Manchester Airport, Heathrow Airport, Crewe, Ferndown, Dibden Purlieu and Kempston.

The chain reported an 8.2% rise in like-for-like sales in the 14 weeks to November 1. Bar sales led the way with a 9.4% increase, while food sales rose 6.8%. However, sales growth slowed in the most recent five weeks to 7.5%, down from 8.6% in the first nine weeks of the quarter.

Chairman Tim Martin said: 'The company has had a good start to the financial year' and the group was 'comfortable' with market expectations for profits of £76.4 million on a 53-week basis. He added: 'There are still three quarters to go and profit forecasts are very dependent on the level of sales growth.' For the 52 weeks to July 26, pre-tax profits fell 28% to £58.6 million as rising staff and other costs offset the sales increases.

How it is being reported

• Wetherspoons to open new pubs in 25 locations across UK - full listThe development comes as the company had a good start to the financial year.Daily Express · 4 Nov, 11:05
• Wetherspoon set to open 25 more pubs after sales boomThe Independent · 4 Nov, 09:02
• Wetherspoon to open up to 25 more pubs as sales jump higherThe chain reported an 8.2% rise in like-for-like first-quarter sales, with bar sales leading the way with a 9.4% jump and food up 6.8%.Independent Business · 4 Nov, 08:05
• Wetherspoon to open up to 25 more pubs as sales jump higherThe chain reported an 8.2% rise in like-for-like first-quarter sales, with bar sales leading the way with a 9.4% jump and food up 6.8%.Evening Standard · 4 Nov, 08:05

In this story: JD Wetherspoon · Tim Martin · Manchester Airport · Heathrow Airport · Crewe · Ferndown

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log