Alongside this, the group’s first continental European pub is now trading, and further sites are in development.
The 794 strong pubco has submitted plans to open a new pub on Shaftesbury Avenue, at the former Coyote Ugly site.
The proposed 3,500 sq ft venue would represent a £2.5m investment and is expected to create between 100 and 120 jobs.
The application follows a licensing bid late last year for a new Strand pub beside Charing Cross station, which has since been granted approval following an appeal to Westminster City Council.
The approved 320 cover site at 11 Strand will trade across upper and lower ground floors, with opening hours from 7am to 23:30 during the week and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
The group put forward a series of operating conditions, including door supervision and match day management plans, as it sought to address concerns raised locally.
Earlier in the autumn, Wetherspoon opened two new London pubs, the Sun Wharf near London Bridge and the Sir Alexander Fleming near Paddington Basin, creating 170 jobs. Chief executive John Hutson said at the time that the openings were the first of a number planned before the New Year.
Beyond the capital, the group has continued to add to its managed estate in the current financial year, with new pubs now trading in Beaconsfield, Wetherby, Basildon and Kenilworth, alongside its Paddington and Fulham openings.
Non-traditional sites
Alongside its managed growth, Wetherspoon has expanded its franchise footprint, with new sites now open in Lincoln, Emersons Green in Bristol, Holystone in Newcastle upon Tyne and Cramlington.
The group has also entered into a partnership with the University of Birmingham’s Guild of Students to operate its bar and restaurant, Joe’s, which is set to reopen following refurbishment at Easter 2026. The site will continue to be run and managed by the Guild, with access to JDW’s operating model and value led food and drink offer.
In the current financial year, the group has opened six managed pubs and eight franchised sites, taking its total number of franchise pubs to 16.
International expansion
Internationally, the company has now opened its first pub in continental Europe, at Alicante Elche Miguel Hernández Airport in Spain.
The new build pub, Castell de Santa Bàrbera, is operated by franchise partner Lagardère Travel Retail and is located airside in departures. The 1,000 sq ft unit trades from 6am to 9pm daily and offers a menu combining core Wetherspoon dishes with local options such as garlic prawns and Spanish omelette.
Founder and chairman Tim Martin said: “We are delighted to have opened in Spain. We believe the pub will be popular with a wide range of customers travelling home from Alicante Airport, including those travelling home to the UK and those using the terminal for trips to England and beyond.
We aim to open a number of pubs overseas in the coming months and years, including those at airports.
Sir Tim Martin
The overseas move forms part of a wider expansion drive. In its latest trading update, the group reported a 4.5% rise in like for like sales for the 25 weeks to 18 January, with total sales up 5.3% year to date. Bar sales increased by 6.9%, while food and machine sales rose by 1.3% and 9.1% respectively.
Despite a £45m rise in operating costs across energy, wages, repairs and business rates in the first half, Wetherspoon said it plans to open 15 pubs in FY26.
In the current financial year, the group has opened six managed pubs and eight franchised sites, taking its total number of franchised pubs to 16.
With new London applications under way and a stated ambition to add further overseas airport sites, Wetherspoon’s pipeline suggests expansion remains firmly on the agenda, even as cost pressures continue to weigh on the wider sector.
