(Alliance News) - JD Wetherspoon PLC on Tuesday said it will invest an initial GBP145 million in developing new pubs and upgrading existing ones, creating 2,000 new jobs.
With pubs in England set to be allowed to open their beer gardens on April 12, Wetherspoon said it wants to start the development project within weeks of its pubs fully reopening. This is expected to be in May.
Wetherspoon said it has a pipeline of 75 projects, including 18 new pubs and 57 upgrades of its 871 existing pubs.
The first set of new pubs and extensions will be in towns and cities including Leeds, Birmingham, Newport Pagnell, Heswall, Sheffield, Felixstowe, Dublin, Haverfordwest, Carmarthen and Glasgow.
The FTSE 250 firm expects to invest a further GBP750 million to open 15 new pubs and enlarge 50 existing ones each year for 10 years, creating 20,000 new jobs.
However, the promise of jobs and investment came with a sting from Founder & Chair Tim Martin.
"Our immediate investment will provide work for architects, contractors and builders as well as result in 2,000 new jobs for staff in our pubs," he said. "We are geared up to start on the first projects within a few months. We are also committed to our long-term investment and job creation programme over the next decade.
"However, the investment is conditional on the UK opening back up again on a long-term basis, with no further lockdowns or the constant changing of rules."
On Monday, Martin had said vaccine passports would be "the last straw" for struggling pubs and force bar staff into a "bitter civil liberties war" with customers.
Conservative backbenchers, publicans and some scientists have raised concerns over the possible introduction of coronavirus health certificates as England's lockdown is eased.
UK government ministers are studying their potential use, which could see access to venues granted only if customers have been jabbed, received negative tests, or developed antibodies through past infection.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden argued on Sunday that vaccine passports will not be introduced on a "permanent basis" but they could be a beneficial tool to restart safely in the short-term.
But, writing in the Telegraph, Martin said "there is no justification for a passport system".
Wetherspoon shares were up 1.5% to 1,358.40 pence early Tuesday in London.
By Tom Waite; thomaslwaite@alliancenews.com
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Wetherspoon (J.D) (JDW)