As exclusively revealed by thePublican.com in October of last year, Wetherspoon is to serve alcohol in its pubs from 10am.
Many of its pubs already open at this time to serve breakfast and coffee.
The company originally applied for the extension in four pubs in the centre of Cardiff. It then applied for 10am extensions across the country after the Cardiff move met approval.
Mr Martin said practically all of the applications had been successful and now half the estate was trading from 10am. He expected most of his 629 pubs to be open at this time within six weeks.
"Once again we have led the way in improving conditions and choice for consumers," said Mr Martin. "Now other pubs are following us and, thanks to JD Wetherspoon, people up and down the country can enjoy a drink from 10am."
He said that this approach should have been taken to tackle the issue of liberalised drinking hours. "Instead of an evolutionary change, with a couple of extra hours a day, the government is trying to bring drastic change, causing huge disruption," he said.
Related articles:
London pubs set to serve alcohol from 10am (13 March 2003)
Wetherspoon winning fight to serve alcohol from 10am (13 February 2003)
Wetherspoon set to serve alcohol from 10am (31 October 2002)
