Wetherspoons to create 10,000 jobs through new pub openings

JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin says the pub group has already started work on developing many of the 250 new pub sites it hopes to open over the next five years.

Martin revealed today his company intended to create 10,000 jobs and plough up to a quarter of a billion pounds on developing its estate in the next half decade.

Its ambitious programme of opening pubs would see new operations in towns and cities including Sheffield, Liverpool and Newcastle.

Back in September Martin had said there were "hundreds of towns ripe for a Wetherspoon pub".

"We've already started working or are about to commence work on a number of the sites we've earmarked," Martin told The Publican​.

The current property environment was a major factor in the decision to expand, he added.

"Prices [for sites] are more reasonable now than they have been for some time, and together with our trading levels, free cash flow and a great team of people I think this target is more than achievable."

Wetherspoon currently operates 743 pubs in the UK and recently unveiled a new site in Torquay employed 100 staff members.

As he announced the plans, Martin aimed another swipe at the current government's attitude towards the pub sector.

Asked if he thought a new government, possibly a Conservative one, would be better for the industry, Martin replied "It's hard to imagine a new one could be worse.

"I would hope that any new administration listens to the business community more, is more consensual and less dictatorial," he said.

Governments should not indulge in "publicity stunt legislation", Martin added.

"This government has tried to show it was doing something to address the situation on issues such as binge drinking, but it has only made things worse. Things are more complicated than [ministers] realise.

"Pubs are of great benefit to the economy, they create jobs, and they act as a social hub. I hope a new government realises this," he said.