[News] Wetherspoons

[Weststander]

I thought this before I’d looked in a Wetherspoons kitchen and I really couldn’t have been more wrong. For example, pizza’s are made using a dough ball which is then flattened and then topped with fresh ingredients. I’d assumed that they were grabbed out of a freezer and thrown straight into a turbo oven.

I was joking, but I was also going by that silly C5 doc about them (circa 18 months ago?), that attempted to do a hatchet job with ex-staff slagging them off. One of whom claimed thar all their food was microwaved.

 

[nicko31]

I did accidently frequent one at Gatwick by accident, it felt proper dirty...

 

[Hugo Rune]

Whilst I'm not on board with the sneering at the establishments themselves (they serve a demand, employ a lot of people, and I like the repurposing of some lovely buildings, at a time when many pubs are closing) I do personally tend to steer well clear purely because of my disdain for Tim Martin, and his pro-Brexit propaganda campaign.

The simple fact is I don't like him, I don't like how he acted, and I'd rather not give him my money.

I have heard that his son is taking over soon.

Whilst I really like the Wetherspoons business model, I’m not sure that the following trading outlook from the Chairman printed in Wetherspoons annual report and financial statements from 2019 is the best use of the platform given when trying to communicate the success of the business:


“Current trading and outlook

Journalists regularly ask Wetherspoon for comments on Brexit – although some publications begrudge our few paragraphs on the subject in this section.
The UK is clearly in political deadlock, parliament having refused to carry out the pre-referendum promise in the leaflet (Appendix 2) sent to every household which said “The Government will implement what you decide.”

Democratic power in the UK in the last 30 years has been diluted by a political faction in parliament, the media and boardrooms, which has a quasi- religious belief in the undemocratic EU – with its unelected presidents, MEPs who cannot instigate legislation and unaccountable court. Voters resent this loss of power – and distrust of politicians and the ‘elite’ is the result.
In recent weeks, the 21 ‘Tory rebels’ (over half Oxbridge), who helped to block ‘no-deal’ were joined by 25 bishops (two-thirds Oxbridge), the latter group asserting (Appendix 3), contrary, many of us believe, to common sense, that no-deal will be disadvantageous to the poor.

As another straw in the wind, former Supreme Court judge and Reith lecturer Lord Sumption described Brexit supporters as ‘grim fanatics’ (Appendix 4).
John Bercow, Emily Thornberry, Dominic Grieve, Keir Starmer, Jo Johnson, Philip Hammond, David Gauke, David Lidington, Hilary Benn, Rory Stewart and many other pro-EU Oxbridge MPs have played a leading role in frustrating the referendum result, by enmeshing parliament in a legal and administrative spider’s web.
The economic judgement of this faction, led in the past by the likes of Michael Heseltine, Peter Mandelson and Tony Blair, the CBI and the Financial Times, has been extremely poor.

It advocated joining the disastrous predecessor of the euro, the exchange rate mechanism, the euro itself, and incorrectly forecast an immediate recession in the event of a Leave vote in the referendum.
Author and athlete Matthew Syed has recently illustrated how a lack of diversity among elites leads to poor decisions. Investment guru Warren Buffett has pointed out that forecasts tell you a lot about the forecaster – but nothing about the future.
The faction’s forecast today is that leaving the EU without a deal will be a ‘cliff-edge’, a ‘catastrophe’ or a ‘disaster’.

Remainer MPs’ main argument – having consistently voted against the only deal on offer – to justify their attempts to scupper Brexit, is that costs for consumers and businesses will axiomatically increase in the event of ‘no deal’.

However, leaving without a deal avoids a legal liability to pay £39 billion (Appendix 5), allows the UK to eliminate protectionist import taxes (tariffs) on over 12,000 non-EU products, (including rice, oranges, bananas, Antipodean wine, children’s clothes and car parts etc) and results in resumption of the control of fishing waters.

Above all, no-deal increases UK democracy – the most powerful economic stimulant.
It is an absurdity to argue that a reduction in UK input costs, combined with increased democracy, will have a harmful effect on the economy – just as it would be absurd for a business to adopt this argument if its own costs were reduced.

Free trade, which the ending of tariffs implies, never made any country poorer, as former Australian High Commissioner, Alexander Downer, recently said (Appendix 6).

Elite Remainers are ignoring the ‘big picture’, regarding lower input costs and more democracy, and are mistakenly concentrating on assumed short-term problems, such as potential delays at Channel ports – which are easier to extrapolate on their computer models.

Despite continuing political problems, stemming from the transfer of democratic power to a technocratic elite, Wetherspoon continues to perform well. Like-for-like sales for the six weeks to 8 September 2019 were up 5.9%.

We currently anticipate a reasonable outcome (pre IFRS16) for the current financial year, subject to our future sales performance.

As in previous years, we will provide updates, during the year, on the company’s trading.

Tim Martin
Chairman
12 September 2019”

https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/~/media/files/pdf-documents/investors/2019/annual-report-2019.pdf

 

[The Wookiee]

Given Tim Martin is a swivel-eyed Brexit loon I will not set foot inside any of his establishments until he is out of the picture.

I don't see the problem in having contempt for him over his Brexit position, in the same way that as a Lib Dem voter I understand why people had contempt for the Lib Dems because of Norman Baker and Lewes DC over their Falmer stance..

Just out of interest, do you pick and choose every establishment you may visit depending on the owners political views

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

Just out of interest, do you pick and choose every establishment you may visit depending on the owners political views

Although the question wasn’t aimed at me, is there any other establishment where the owners political views were, basically, forced upon the punter?

 

[dazzer6666]

Went to a Spoons in Newcastle after the away game. Wouldn’t really have known………until the barmaid asked me for less than a fiver for 2 pints. Used to use the Crosse Keys in the City a lot too. Not a fan at all of their food, but for cheap beer and quick service (particularly with the App) can understand why they’re so popular - but I don’t like contributing to Martin’s wealth.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Just out of interest, do you pick and choose every establishment you may visit depending on the owners political views

Any business where there owner decides to court publicity and airs views - or applies policies - that I find anathema then, yes, I'll boycott their goods and services. I wish I had more time to research who is and who isn't ethical, and I applaud those people who make the effort. But in a nutshell:

Wetherspoons - go f*ck yourselves
Ryanair - go f*ck yourselves
P&O Ferries - go f*ck yourselves
Russian vodka - go f*ck yourselves.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Just out of interest, do you pick and choose every establishment you may visit depending on the owners political views

I usually swerve any establishment where the owner is a complete ****. Wouldn’t you?

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

The one in Burgess Hill can’t even employ anyone that knows how to fry an egg without making a total mess of it……with so many other good brekkie joints locally, Spoons is an absolute last resort for a fry-up for me. Agree re Tim Martin though. Nasty piece of work.

Boo Boo’s cafe for me when I return occasionally

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Just out of interest, do you pick and choose every establishment you may visit depending on the owners political views

There’s a brass house I won’t use for that very reason to be fair

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Speaking on a remainer who can't wait for the disaster to be reversed by a government that cares more for the security and wellbeing of a united Europe than the current spivs who care only for enriching themselves and cronies, the owners stance on brexit bothers me not one bit.

Nor have I ever seen the type of people derided here any any weatherspoon I have visited, the 3 in Brighton seem to attract a young crowd rather than dossiers and on my travels around the country I must have visited another dozen, I tend to seek them out because I know they will have great beers, be ( grand) child friendly and usually sell just as good fish and chips as I can get at any seaside fish bar with a pint of Punk for £12 ish.

Besides, Quack from Belgium at £3.40 a pint!!! What's not to like

Child friendly as well? That’s yet another reason to dislike them.

 

[dazzer6666]

Boo Boo’s cafe for me when I return occasionally

That’s alright (I know the owner fairly well) but actually best place I’ve found for a fry up is the small garden centre next to the Friars Oak pub

 

[essbee1]

Speaking on a remainer who can't wait for the disaster to be reversed by a government that cares more for the security and wellbeing of a united Europe than the current spivs who care only for enriching themselves and cronies, the owners stance on brexit bothers me not one bit.

Nor have I ever seen the type of people derided here any any weatherspoon I have visited, the 3 in Brighton seem to attract a young crowd rather than dossiers and on my travels around the country I must have visited another dozen, I tend to seek them out because I know they will have great beers, be ( grand) child friendly and usually sell just as good fish and chips as I can get at any seaside fish bar with a pint of Punk for £12 ish.

Besides, Quack from Belgium at £3.40 a pint!!! What's not to like

I picked up a dossIer in a WeAtherspoon's once. It was on 'spelling and how to spot impending inclement weather'.

 

[clapham_gull]

I was so glad when the one in Balham closed, it was an absolute shit hole. Now replaced by a company who did a grand community effort during the lockdown by changing the business to a food store....

.. unlike that grotesque individual Martin.

I've seen him loads of times, but not in his own pubs. He seems to prefer the Bull in the Westfield Centre, Shepherds Bush which is owned by Youngs.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I have only been invited outside three times in the last 50 years.

Each time in Faversham Spoons.

And all in the space of one single hour.

I rest my case. BURN him. Fact.

 

[jcdenton08]

I agree with everyone here, they are fantastic chain.

 

[Boroseagull]

Their food is exactly what you pay for, to be fair. Cheap, cheerful and perfectly good value.

I think of all the problems this country has, Wetherspoons is pretty low down on the list.

If we want to talk about pub chains with real problems, try Sam Smith's which is legitimately scandalous.

Wetherspoons are fine for what they are, don't like, don't go. It's the snobbery and misinformation in the thread prior to my post before which irritated me. Wetherspoons are a very well run company, who look after their employees and offer decent coffee, good value food, and affordable and varied beer choices.

If people want to make it political, there are few companies who would ever get business.

Exactly this. I was in Horley overnight a month ago (en route to Costa Rica), traveling with 4 Spanish friends. We walked to Wetherspoons that evening to eat. They absolutel;y loved it! Fresh fried fish & chips, cheerfully served. A wide range of drinks, tastings of the beers offered, and accepted. Result is they fell in love with GK Abbot. They all wished there were similar establishments in Southern Spain. Yes, I kept them sober enough for their flight in the morning!

 

[wuntbedruv]

I picked up a dossIer in a WeAtherspoon's once. It was on 'spelling and how to spot impending inclement weather'.

I blame my phone,it changes everything. If I type Rhine it keeps correcting to Rhineland-Palatinate .
Bloody thing has a mind of itz owne

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Exactly this. I was in Horley overnight a month ago (en route to Costa Rica), traveling with 4 Spanish friends. We walked to Wetherspoons that evening to eat. They absolutel;y loved it! Fresh fried fish & chips, cheerfully served. A wide range of drinks, tastings of the beers offered, and accepted. Result is they fell in love with GK Abbot. They all wished there were similar establishments in Southern Spain. Yes, I kept them sober enough for their flight in the morning!

friends from southern Spain, a part of the world with an abundance of nice fresh seafood, excellent restaurants and wines, prefer freezer-to-microwave fish and chips and sell-buy date ale. I have a feeling your friends were being polite.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

friends from southern Spain, a part of the world with an abundance of nice fresh seafood, excellent restaurants and wines, prefer freezer-to-microwave fish and chips and sell-buy date ale. I have a feeling your friends were being polite.

And of course Tim the Dim, doesn’t want foreign types in there anyway.