JD Wetherspoons announces 10 more pubs up for sale - full list of closures in 2024
PA
In the past year, Wetherspoons has opened two pubs but sold or surrendered the lease on 26 pubs
Although sales at JD Wetherspoons continues to climb, the pub giant has announced an extra 10 pubs are set to close.
Its like-for-like sales increased by 5.8 per cent in the 10 weeks to July 7, despite unseasonably wet weather.
The chain is set to close 61 of its venues by the end of 2024, impacting numerous locations across the UK.
The group, which currently has an estate of 801 pubs, said it has largely disposed of venues which are “smaller and older”, or where it has another site in close proximity.
New openings in Waterloo and Fulham Broadway stations in London, and in Marlow in Buckinghamshire are planned for the coming months.
However some venues have been sold off amid efforts to reduce its debt burden.
Sales per pub are approximately 21 per cent higher than pre-pandemic level
GETTYYesterday, Wetherspoons said it expects its net debt to stand at around £670million at the end of the financial year.
Tim Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon, said: “The gradual recovery in sales and profits, following the pandemic, has continued in the current financial year. Total sales are, again, at record levels, with fewer pubs.
“Sales per pub are approximately 21 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels, which has helped to compensate for the very substantial increase in costs.
“For example, compared to the 2019 financial year, labour in this financial year has increased by approximately £164m, energy by £28m, repairs (also affected by labour costs) by £38m and interest (excluding IFRS 16 interest) by £16m.”
Martin made overtures to the new chancellor last week and criticised the previous government’s failure to relieve the tax burden on pubs and restaurants.
He has long argued that the 20 per cent VAT on food sold in pubs but not in supermarkets means that shops can subsidise beer and wine prices.
He believes this has led to closures in the hospitality industry.
Martin continued: “The average Wetherspoon pub has generated taxes of one sort or another of £7m in the last 10 years, as well as generating considerable employment and social benefits.
“The last government failed to implement tax equality between pubs and supermarkets, leading to pub closures and underinvestment.
“Wetherspoon hopes that the current chancellor, with a Bank of England pedigree, will understand how many beans make five, and rectify this inequality.”
In the year to date, Wetherspoons has opened two pubs but sold or surrendered the lease on 26 sites.
It added that a further 10 trading pubs are either on the market or under offer.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
A further 10 trading pubs are either on the market or under offer.
GETTY