Food outperforms bar sales in Wetherspoon pubs

January 23, 2008: J D Wetherspoon has reported a decrease in like-for-like sales of 3.2% for the first 11 weeks of its second quarter, to January 13.

While there has been, as anticipated, a pattern of strong food growth, there was a decrease in bar sales.

A strong trend within the business has been a reduction in sales of premium lagers and spirits and an upturn in sales of real ale, food and coffee, with sales, for example, of a million coffees and teas in the Christmas fortnight.

The financial year so far has seen the opening of 10 new pubs and it is anticipated that around 25 new pubs will open in the full year. This is slightly lower than Wetherspoon had previously indicated, with some openings now likely to take place in the next financial year.

A spokesman said: "In recent statements, we and other pub companies have emphasised an element of uncertainty and caution resulting from the smoking bans introduced in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2007.

"We continue to remain cautious regarding the outlook for this financial year. We are confident that a non-smoking environment will result in growth in both bar and food categories in the medium and long term."