JDW aiming to own 1,500 pubs post-ban

JD Wetherspoon has set its sights on ramping up its opening programme once the impact of the English smoking ban has settled down in a couple of years' time.

Finance director Jim Clarke claimed there was an opportunity for the company to build its UK estate from 657 to 1,000 to 1,500 pubs.

Clarke said lack of investment by the industry in opening pubs would allow the company to look at opportunities for expansion.

"We'll just get through the next year or so, keeping things pretty modest," he said.

Chief executive John Hutson said there was great potential for new JDW pubs in smaller towns and bigger suburbs.

A survey of about 30 pubs near a new Wetherspoon site in Blackpool had shown that not a single pub served cask ale, offered food after 3pm or offered non-smoking areas.

"In lots of places, what we offer is unique," said Hutson.

He also stressed the appeal of the company's venues to a broad demographic.

Hutson cited the new King & Castle pub in Windsor, now turning over about £48,000 a week, four times its level as a Beefeater venue.

Wetherspoon's bullish comments on expansion came as the company reported profits before tax up 20% to £58.8m. Pubs that had banned smoking saw second-half sales drop 6.5%.

In Scotland, where the company has 39 pubs, like-for-like profits are down 11%.

Wet sales have dropped 3.4%, although food sales are up 7.7%.