Pub chain has plans to create 10,000 jobs

 

© Evening Times Originally published: 1/12/2009

PUBS chain JD Wetherspoon today announced it is to create 10,000 jobs and open 250 new pubs across the UK.

It plans to invest £250million over five years to expand its stable of 743 pubs.

A spokesman for the firm said it was expected some of the new outlets would open in Glasgow and the west of Scotland but couldn't say how many jobs would be created north of the border. Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said: "We have enjoyed great success in Glasgow since opening The Counting House and now have 10 pubs in and around the city.

"Glasgow is a thriving city and we are looking forward to opening pubs and creating jobs there."

It it understood the firm is looking at various sights including ones in Glasgow, Hamilton, and Dunfermline.

Wetherspoon outlets were already planned for Livingston and Edinburgh later this year and Edinburgh Airport and Glasgow next year.

The chain opened its first pub in 1979 and established itself in Glasgow with The Counting House 13 years ago. It has around 450 staff in the Glasgow area.

In September, the chain dismissed new licensing laws in Scotland, which came into effect the same month, as it toasted a 13% rise in annual profits. John Hutson, chief executive of JD Wetherspoon, said: "It is the first tangible evidence we have got about Wetherspoon in a region where they have tried to mandate on pricing and promotions.

"So far it has really made no difference."

The company, which has almost 50 pubs in Scotland, is focusing on rolling out new products such as alcoholic ginger beer and upmarket soft drinks.

It put its success during a recession down to a back-to-basics approach built on high standards.