Wetherspoons, the beloved UK pub chain, is poised for significant expansion in 2025, with plans to open 13 new locations across the country. This growth will boost their current portfolio of 796 pubs, pushing them past the 800-pub milestone. Two pubs have already launched this year in Marlow and London Waterloo, and seven more are slated to open before summer, including locations at Manchester Airport, Fulham Broadway Station, Bath’s George Street, Beaconsfield’s Station Road, Wetherby High Street, London Bridge, and the Whiteley shopping centre in Fareham. Further cementing their growth strategy, Wetherspoons is also expanding its presence within Haven Holiday Parks, adding four new franchised pubs to their existing three, bringing the total to seven. These holiday park locations, spanning Cleethorpes, Devon, Kent, and Northumberland, are expected to open by spring 2025. This expansion comes despite the chain selling six pubs last year, generating £4.1 million.
The expansion plans come amidst a generally challenging landscape for the pub industry, with many establishments facing closures due to rising costs. However, Wetherspoons has reported positive financial results, with like-for-like sales up 5.1% in the 25 weeks leading up to January 19, 2025, compared to the same period the previous year. This growth is driven by a 4.5% increase in bar sales and a 5.6% rise in food sales. While overall sales have grown by 4%, the disposal of the six pubs has slightly impacted the overall figures. Despite this positive performance, hotel room sales have seen a decline of 6.5% during the same period.
Despite economic headwinds, Wetherspoons anticipates their debt to increase slightly to between £680 million and £700 million in the 2025 financial year, up from £660 million in 2024. Chairman Tim Martin has acknowledged the impact of rising costs on the business, particularly following the recent budget, and has warned that these increases may be passed on to consumers. He noted that while inflationary pressures had eased in the two years prior to the budget, they have now resurfaced significantly, leading to planned price increases across the hospitality sector.
The broader hospitality industry echoes similar concerns, with Young’s pubs planning to increase pint prices by 20p due to escalating costs, including an upcoming rise in employer National Insurance contributions. Young’s CEO Simon Dodd attributes the price hike, which will push the average London pint from £6.30 to £6.50, to the increased tax burden. Similarly, Mitchells & Butlers, owner of All Bar One, has previously indicated potential price increases of 10p to 15p per pint. This wave of price hikes reflects the widespread challenges faced by the hospitality sector in managing rising costs.
Despite the potential for price increases, Wetherspoons remains a popular choice for budget-conscious pub-goers due to its competitive pricing. Savvy customers can further maximize their savings through various strategies. Taking advantage of free refills on hot drinks, comparing prices across different Wetherspoons locations, and participating in themed food nights like Thursday’s Curry Club can all help to reduce spending. Students can look out for voucher books offering discounts, and the Wetherspoons app allows for convenient ordering and payment from anywhere, even outside the pub. Staying informed about special events like Tax Equality Day and the Real Ale and Spring Festivals can also unlock further savings opportunities.
In conclusion, Wetherspoons is demonstrating resilience in a challenging market, expanding its footprint while acknowledging the pressures of rising costs. The company’s positive sales figures suggest continued popularity with customers, who can leverage various strategies to mitigate the potential impact of future price increases. While the wider hospitality industry grapples with similar challenges, Wetherspoons’ strategic expansion and focus on value position them for continued growth in the UK pub market.
