Statement re Press Comment

WETHERSPOON (J.D.) PLC

Released 6th October 2025

JD WETHERSPOON PLC

NEWS RELEASE - CORRECTION

In an article ("I dared to dine at Yorkshire's 'total garbage' JD Wetherspoon pub", 4th October), Leeds Live, an on-line publication, referred to a visit made to Wetherspoon's Scribbling Mill pub at the White Rose Centre, Leeds by one of their journalists in the context of a very small number of negative reviews on the TripAdvisor website. The Scribbling Mill has a TripAdvisor rating of 3.2 out of 5 based on 26 customer reviews, 9 of which rate the pub as excellent. This compares to the far more widely used Google Reviews, which gave a rating of 4.2 out of 5 based on 874 visits. Every Wetherspoon pub is subject to regular mystery visits to monitor and assess standards of quality, cleanliness, service, maintenance ,atmosphere and delivery times. In Wetherspoon's financial year to 27th July 2025, The Scribbling Mill scored an average of 97.6% for visits conducted by independent external mystery visitors which is above the company average of 93.2%. Twelve visitors gave the pub a 100% rating. The Scribbling Mill is also currently rated 5 out of 5 for the "scores on the doors" scheme operated by Environmental Heath officers at Leeds City Council, in respect of food and other hygiene standards. Wetherspoon pubs have an average food hygiene rating of 4.99% (out of 5). Out of 741 Wetherspoon pubs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that have been assessed under the scheme, 732 have been awarded a maximum 5-star rating. Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said: "Reviews on TripAdvisor are based on a very small sample- 26 in this case. The Google Review rating, based on a sample of 874 has been ignored. "Describing the Scribbling Mill as 'total garbage' in a headline, by taking one unverified negative review is irresponsible and malicious journalism - and is also unfair to the very hard-working team at the pub."

ENDS

Enquiries:

Nigel Connor Legal Director 07818 232529

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.co.uk