(Alliance News) - JD Wetherspoon PLC will have nearly two-thirds of its pub chain open by the end of April, it said Wednesday, as it announced further re-openings following the end of lockdown.
Wetherspoon said it will open 44 more pubs in England on Monday next week, adding to the 394 it opened when first allowed on April 12. On the same day, 60 'Spoons in Scotland and 32 in Wales will reopen.
With 3 pubs in Northern Ireland to follow on Friday, April 30, the company said it will have 533, or just over 60%, of its 871 total pubs open by the end of the month.
Wetherspoon said its open pubs also will extend their trading hours by an hour each day, starting next Monday. Pubs in England will be open from 9 am to 10 pm Sunday to Thursday and from 9 am to 11 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Opening next week in England include pubs in Guildford, Lincoln, Nottingham, Reading and London.
"We are looking forward to opening the extra pubs in England as well as those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland," said Chief Executive John Hutson.
Wetherspoon shares were up 0.5% to 1,330.11 pence Wednesday morning in London.
By Tom Waite; thomaslwaite@alliancenews.com
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Wetherspoon (J.D) (JDW)