Drinkers across the UK are set to lose their local as JD Wetherspoon plans to shut down 61 of its pubs by the end of 2024, despite the chain reporting a sales surge.
The pub behemoth has seen a 5.8% jump in like-for-like sales for the 10 weeks up to July 7, even with Britain facing a soggy summer.
The year’s stats are looking even perkier with a 7.7% increase in like-for-like sales. ‘Spoons has been busy pulling pints in two new pubs but has also been handing over keys to other establishments through sales or lease surrenders.
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Check out the full rundown of Wetherspoons that are either on the market, snapped up, or have already called last orders below. This latest round of closures follows the company saying goodbye to 41 pubs in 2023.
An extra 10 currently trading pubs are also on the block, either up for grabs or pending deals. Tim Martin, the JD Wetherspoon chief, has claimed: “The gradual recovery in sales and profits, following the pandemic, has continued in the current financial year.”
He added: “Total sales are, again, at record levels, with fewer pubs. Sales per pub are approximately 21% higher than pre-pandemic levels, which has helped to compensate for the very substantial increase in costs.”, reports the Express.
“For example, compared to the 2019 financial year, labour in this financial year has increased by approximately £164 million, energy by £28 million, repairs (also affected by labour costs) by £38 million and interest (excluding IFRS 16 interest) by £16 million,” reports Wales Online. JD Wetherspoon, the beloved boozer known to most as ‘Spoons’, was founded back in 1979 by businessman Tim Martin.
The chain boasts a huge portfolio of pubs and hotels across the UK and Ireland. Known for its cheap eats and drinks, the pub chain often sets up shop in historic buildings.
The brand is known for its no-music policy, creating a relaxed atmosphere ideal for a good chat. The first-ever ‘Spoons swung open its doors in Muswell Hill, London, the brainchild of founder Tim Martin.
He cheekily named the boozer after a teacher who reckoned he was destined for failure, with a little inspiration from a character in classic telly show “The Dukes of Hazzard.”
Martin, known for his hands-on approach to business, has been key to turning Wetherspoon’s into a pub empire, with a focus on low prices, high turnover, and creating unique pubs. The full list of JD Wetherspoon pubs closing in 2024:
Up for sale
- The Pontlottyn, Abertillery
- The Ivor Davies, Cardiff
- Spa Lane Vaults, Chesterfield
- The Gate House, Doncaster
- The Market Cross, Holywell
- The Regent, Kirkby in Ashfield
- The Mockbeggar Hall, Moreton
- The Hain Line, St Ives
- The Sir Norman Rae, Shipley
- The Sir Daniel Arms, Swindon
- The White Hart, Todmorden
- Lord Arthur Lee, Fareham
- The Plough and Harrow, London
- Resolution, Middlesbrough
- Sennockian, Sevenoaks
Under offer
- Asparagus – Battersea
- The Saltoun Inn – Fraserburgh
- The Percy Shaw – Halifax
- The Alfred Herring – Palmers Green
- Wrong ‘Un – Bexleyheath
Already officially closed
- The John Masefield, New Ferry
- Angel, Islington
- The Silkstone Inn, Barnsley
- The Billiard Hall, West Bromwich
- Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis, Southampton
- The Colombia Press, Watford
- The Malthouse, Willenhall
- The John Masefield, New Ferry
- Thomas Leaper, Derby
- Cliftonville, Hove
- Tollgate, Harringay
- Last Post, Loughton
- Harvest Moon, Orpington
- Alexander Bain, Wick
- Chapel an Gansblydhen, Bodmin
- Moon on the Square, Basildon
- Coal Orchard, Taunton
- Running Horse, Airside Doncaster Airport
- Wild Rose, Bootle
- Edmund Halley, Lee Green
- The Willow Grove, Southport
- Postal Order, Worcester
- North and South Wales Bank, Wrexham
- The Sir John Stirling Maxwell, Glasgow
- The Knight’s Templar, London
- Christopher Creeke, Bournemouth
- The Water House, Durham
- The Widow Frost, Mansfield
- The Worlds Inn, Romford
- Hudson Bay, Forest Gate
- The Saltoun Inn, Fraserburgh
- The Bankers Draft, Eltham, London
- The Sir John Arderne, Newark
- The Capitol, Forest Hill
- Moon and Bell, Loughborough
- Nightjar, Ferndown
- General Sir Redvers Buller, Crediton
- The Rising Sun, Redditch
- The Butler’s Bell, Stafford
- Millers Well, East Ham
- The Coronet, London
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