JD Wetherspoon, which operates almost 800 pubs across the UK, has seen trading continue to improve in recent months and has reported a rise in sales and profits
Pub heavyweight JD Wetherspoon has revealed the opening dates for new venues in the closing months of 2025 and early 2026, as it expands its portfolio with several establishments set to open their doors before the end of 2025.
Recently, the chief executive of JD Wetherspoon pledged to “keep price increases to a minimum”, despite facing rising labour costs, while also announcing improved sales and profits from the previous year.
The company, which operates nearly 800 pubs across the UK, has seen trading continue to improve in recent months. It reported revenues of £2.13 billion for the year ending July 27.
This represents a 4.5% increase compared to the previous year, while like-for-like sales – which exclude the impact of pub openings and closures – rose by 5.1%.
Both bar and food sales contributed to this growth, although hotel room sales fell by almost 12% following the decision to pull out of online booking platforms in the UK.
New venues started opening their doors in October, with the most recent one launching today (December 23).
Wetherspoons opening in the next few weeks
- The Angel Inn set to open in Wetherby, Tues, 23 December
- The Chiltern, Station Road, Beaconsfield, Tues, 13 January
- The Castell de Santa Bàrbera, Alicante, February
Venues which opened since the start of October
- Sigered, King of Essex, East Walk Basildon Opening: Tue 21 October
- The New Moor Farm, Cramlington, Tyne and Wear, Wed 5 November
- The Hollybush Seam, Westerleigh Rd, Bristol, Wed 3 December
- The Red Anchor, Stockton-on-Tees (Papas Group franchise) Wed, 10 December
- Coombe Lodge, Croydon Wed 17, December
It follows the opening of four extra locations since the summer.
- The Hykeham Manor, Roman Way, Lincoln
- The Sir Alexander Fleming, Merchant Square, Paddington
- Walham Green, Fulham Road, Fulham
- The Dictum of Kenilworth, The Square, Kenilworth
Following the launch of four additional venues since the summer, Wetherspoons has opened The Angel Inn in Wetherby today, December 23. The newly reopened pub, which features a beer garden, is housed in a well-known grade-II-listed building in a prime town-centre location.
The site had been closed since 2022 and had previously operated as a restaurant and ice cream parlour for 13 years. Prior to that, it was known as The Angel pub.
Historical photos from around 1900 reveal that it was once called The Angel Hotel. Older drawings and an 1824 map of Wethby label it as The Angel Inn.
Between 1760 and 1840, it served as the town’s leading coaching inn, providing refreshments for passengers and fresh horses for stagecoaches. Another upcoming opening is The Chiltern in Beaconsfield, which was formerly a 500-seat cinema.
In the mid-1950s, the cinema’s capacity was reduced to make way for a new wide screen. The local council purchased the property in 1961 and ‘extensively modernised’ it shortly after, renaming it The Chiltern.
The cinema closed its doors for the final time on 29 September 1989, with the site being sold five years later.
In February, Wetherspoon is set to conquer a new frontier in a location beloved by British holidaymakers. The Castell de Santa Bàrbera, Alicante, will be situated at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, within the non-Schengen zone of airside departures.
The pub’s name pays homage to the Castell de Santa Bàrbera, a castle perched atop Mount Benacantil that overlooks Alicante Bay. With roots dating back to the 9th century, this historic fortress has served as a lookout point, military stronghold, and prison.
Declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1961, it remains one of Alicante’s most treasured landmarks.
Wetherspoon shared: “Wetherspoon is opening new pubs across the UK and continues in seeking further sites. Inspired by local history, each pub has its own design, character and personality.
“Wetherspoon has been recognised, winning numerous design award competitions, and is renowned for transforming old and often-derelict buildings into beautiful, vibrant pubs.”
Speaking on the company’s recent financial performance, Wetherspoon’s chairman Sir Tim Martin revealed that beverages popular with younger patrons, including cocktails and trendy spirits like Au Vodka, have seen a surge in sales across their venues.
“Real ale has made a comeback, with volumes challenging pre-pandemic levels,” he declared. “Wine, which had been a bit slow, is at a record.”
Sir Tim also highlighted the strong performance of poultry dishes on their menu, with Korean chicken being a “big success” over the past year, while breakfast sales have hit record highs.
By the end of the financial year, the company was operating 794 pubs, with plans to open 15 managed and 15 franchised venues in the upcoming year. Sir Tim noted that increases in national insurance contributions and wages are adding roughly £60 million to the chain’s yearly costs, while the company is also grappling with rising energy prices and new packaging taxes.
In 2025, Wetherspoon employed an average of nearly 42,100 staff across its pubs and head office.
