Inaccurate Reporting of Beer Supply Issues

For Immediate Release

J D WETHERSPOON PLC

Inaccurate Reporting of Beer Supply Issues at JD Wetherspoon PLC

Wetherspoon referred yesterday, in a RNS ,to an inaccurate report by the BBC which incorrectly said that "Wetherspoon runs low on beer".

In fact, Wetherspoon beer stocks in pubs, as we stated yesterday, are approximately the same as for the same period in 2019, although there have been supply issues for a minority of products in the last fortnight, following industrial action, including an overtime ban, which affected a major brewer.

Our attention has been drawn to other misleading articles on the same subject.

For example, a Mirror headline (1 September) said that "Wetherspoons runs out of beer amid Carling shortage ", and the article itself said that "Bud Light, Carling and Coors taps" have "run dry". These comments are untrue.

The Mirror added that the "beer shortages at the pub chain" are "caused by Brexit". This is not true because recent supply issues are mainly due to industrial action.

An Independent article (2 September) also said that "Wetherspoon is running out of beer", which is untrue for the same reasons.

Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said:

"There is clearly a shortage of HGV drivers, both in the UK and in mainland Europe- where, some reports say, there is a shortage of 400,000 drivers.

"Following the pandemic, there are supply chain issues in many other parts of the world also.

"In the light of the undoubted problems, it is important that the public is provided with accurate information. Factual inaccuracies and partisan Brexit politics will not assist in finding solutions."

3rd September 2021

Enquiries:

Ben Whitley Finance Director 07970 477428

Eddie Gershon Company Spokesman 07956 392234

Please send any questions by email to [email protected] 

Notes to editors

1. J D Wetherspoon owns and operates pubs throughout the UK. The company aims to provide customers with good-quality food and drink, served by well-trained and friendly staff, at reasonable prices. The pubs are individually designed, and the company aims to maintain them in excellent condition.

2. Visit our website: www.jdwetherspoon.com

3. This announcement has been prepared solely to provide additional information to the shareholders of J D Wetherspoon, to meet the requirements of the FCA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules. It should not be relied on by any other party, for any other purposes. Forward-looking statements have been made by the directors in good faith, using information available up until the date on which they approved this statement. Forward-looking statements should be regarded with caution, because of the inherent uncertainties in economic trends and business risks.

4. The current financial year comprises 52 trading weeks to 24 July 2022.