ONE of the UK’s biggest pub chains, JD Wetherspoons, has announced plans to sell off 16 branches, including three in Scotland.
The company, whose founder Tim Martin is a steadfast supporter of Brexit, has not disclosed why the branches are up for sale or if potential buyers have been lined up.
READ MORE: Wetherspoon to take £40m hit but anti-EU boss denies Brexit to blame
The affected pubs include 14 Wetherspoon branded pubs and two of the chain's Lloyds bars.
The Vulcan in Coatbridge, the Bourtree in Hawick and the Cross Keys in Peebles have all been put up for sale.
JD Wetherspoon reported pre-tax profits of £50.3million for the six months to January 27 in its latest trading results. That marked an annual decline of 19%, which the company blamed on an increase in staff wages.
Its pubs have been phasing out European drinks for more than a year because of founder Martin’s hardline Brexit stance.
WATCH: Wetherspoons founder makes outrageous no-deal claims
Despite falling profits, Martin, in an interview with the Financial Times, had previously said he would “bring the price of beer down” if there was a no-deal Brexit.
After revealing that the company's half-year profits would take a £40m hit in January, Martin said it was "b*******" to suggest that the spending slowdown facing high street businesses was linked to consumer caution over Brexit.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel