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Wetherspoon makes announcement on 15 pubs after profits drop
Rising energy, wages, repairs, and business rates added £45 million in costs, offsetting sales growth and pushing JD Wetherspoon's profits lower in the first half, the company said.
- Jan 21, J D Wetherspoon warned fiscal 2026 profit could fall after costs jumped by 45 million in the first half, sending shares about 8% lower.
- Driven by higher energy and tax bills, energy, wages, repairs and business rates rose about £45 million in the first 25 weeks, with the UK Government considering relief measures.
- Despite the warning, Wetherspoon expects to open 15 pubs this financial year, including its first site at Alicante Airport, Spain, after six pubs opened year-to-date.
- Investors responded by selling the stock, with shares falling about 8% in one of its worst sessions since last year as the British Beer and Pub Association warned up to 15,000 jobs could be at risk.
- Looking ahead, the company says if current sales momentum continues, it expects full-year trading slightly below FY25 and will provide updates amid rising sector costs, while Peel Hunt analysts noted it's "transformative" that government may reduce business rates.
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24 Articles
24 Articles
The Herald ScotlandReposted by 
Glasgow Times
Glasgow TimesPub giant behind Glasgow's Counting House in £45m cost hit
JD Wetherspoon highlights impact of rising energy, wages, repairs and business rates
·Scotland, United Kingdom
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The IndependentReposted by 
The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)JD Wetherspoon issues warning after ‘higher than anticipated’ costs
Christmas helped boost sales by 8.8 per cent
·London, United Kingdom
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Wetherspoons hit with profit slump as pub chain boss blames Rachel Reeves's business rates hike
Wetherspoons has issued a profit warning after revealing that costs climbed £45million higher than expected during the opening 25 weeks of its financial year, with company boss Tim Martin blaming
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources24
Leaning Left4Leaning Right2Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 29%
C 57%
14%
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