28th Dec 2006 09:00
Wetherspoon (JD) PLC28 December 2006 National pub operator JD Wetherspoon is to open 30 new pubs and create 1,200jobs in 2007. The company is to invest more than £35 million developing the pubs across theUK, including new outlets in Sheffield, Bishop Auckland, St Austell, Hertfordand Devizes. In addition, it plans to invest a further £25 million on its existing pubs, withthe creation of exterior smoking areas and the installation of super-chilledtechnology. At present Wetherspoon has 662 pubs and bars in the UK. Wetherspoon Chief Executive John Hutson said: " Our non-smoking pubs have provenvery popular and this has given us the impetus to open more pubs in 2007. "Although the non-smoking ban might effect sales in all pubs when it isintroduced, we are confident that in the long-term it will result in more peoplevisiting pubs and that it will be a positive move. "As a result of this, we are increasing our pub opening programme in 2007." Ends Note to newsdesk - Wetherspoon opened 12 new pubs in 2006 For more information please contact Nathan Wall (Wetherspoon OperationsDirector) on 07970 477287 or Eddie Gershon (Wetherspoon spokesman) on 07956 392234 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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