My 18 year old son and fellow students are absolute Spoons fans for many of the reasons you list and I can't disagree with anything you say about the pubs.
But, I don't think you can treat the impact of Spoons (and other big chains) on independent pubs any differently to that of Tesco on the local greengrocer. In both cases, the economies of scale deliver a killer punch.
Pubs are closing at a staggering - and accelerating - rate. "Research revealed that from the beginning of January to the end of June t[2023], 383 pubs closed across the UK, compared to 386 throughout 2022. The average number of closures during the first three months of 2023 was 51, and for the second quarter it was a staggering 77.9"(https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/10/uk-pub-closure-rate-continues-to-climb/)
And, setting Brexit aside - Sir Tim's behaviour during Covid might also raise an eyebrow or two.
In other words, Spoons does a great job - like the supermarkets. But that doesn't necessarily make its boss a lovable businessman
I definitely don't think he's a lovable businessman - he comes across as difficult and somewhat charmless. I'm not convinced that Wetherspoons is to blame for the decline of the great British boozer. There's so many reasons from the structural such as entertainment at home, the move to wine and drugs, and short term like Covid lockdowns, inflation etc which did more to destroy the hospitality industry than Spoons ever did. Might be one for a post.
I have only been to one Wetherspoons (in Kettering in Northamptonshire) and detested it. I think that is because it was utterly charmless rather than because I am a snob. This was before Brexit but I do try to avoid putting money into the pckets of those who campaigned for such a damaging development for our country.
Some Spoons are better than others. I seem to spend far too much time at the Spoons in Victoria station because my train has been cancelled. I wouldn't recommend that one in particular.
The home of the 'Ruddles Forfeit'. Amongst a group having a drink in spoons, you have a quick competition each round (rock paper scissors etc.) with the loser forced to order and drink a pint of Ruddles.
I know various people who’ve sold wine and spirits to Wetherspoons. Like IKEA, the Spoons buyers are absolutely forbidden from accepting so much as a cup of coffee from their suppliers. I know independent pubs where part of the price you pay is for a cosy relationship between the owner and the supplier. Not Wetherspoons
Thanks for commenting. You're making a lot of assertions that I don't think are strictly true. The British pub trade would be in deep trouble even if Wetherspoons didn't exist. I'm not sure about suppliers, I imagine he drives a hard bargain, but unlike with supermarkets, I don't think he is making people sell at a loss. Regarding Brexit, I don't want the comments section to argue about this as otherwise it will get out of hand.
A nice piece.
My 18 year old son and fellow students are absolute Spoons fans for many of the reasons you list and I can't disagree with anything you say about the pubs.
But, I don't think you can treat the impact of Spoons (and other big chains) on independent pubs any differently to that of Tesco on the local greengrocer. In both cases, the economies of scale deliver a killer punch.
Pubs are closing at a staggering - and accelerating - rate. "Research revealed that from the beginning of January to the end of June t[2023], 383 pubs closed across the UK, compared to 386 throughout 2022. The average number of closures during the first three months of 2023 was 51, and for the second quarter it was a staggering 77.9"(https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/10/uk-pub-closure-rate-continues-to-climb/)
And, setting Brexit aside - Sir Tim's behaviour during Covid might also raise an eyebrow or two.
In other words, Spoons does a great job - like the supermarkets. But that doesn't necessarily make its boss a lovable businessman
I definitely don't think he's a lovable businessman - he comes across as difficult and somewhat charmless. I'm not convinced that Wetherspoons is to blame for the decline of the great British boozer. There's so many reasons from the structural such as entertainment at home, the move to wine and drugs, and short term like Covid lockdowns, inflation etc which did more to destroy the hospitality industry than Spoons ever did. Might be one for a post.
I have only been to one Wetherspoons (in Kettering in Northamptonshire) and detested it. I think that is because it was utterly charmless rather than because I am a snob. This was before Brexit but I do try to avoid putting money into the pckets of those who campaigned for such a damaging development for our country.
Some Spoons are better than others. I seem to spend far too much time at the Spoons in Victoria station because my train has been cancelled. I wouldn't recommend that one in particular.
The home of the 'Ruddles Forfeit'. Amongst a group having a drink in spoons, you have a quick competition each round (rock paper scissors etc.) with the loser forced to order and drink a pint of Ruddles.
I like Ruddles!
Lovely piece. Wethers has its place in British drinking culture, even if it's not everyone's pint of £2.50 beer.
Exactly! I can't resist the £1.88 Ruddles.
I know various people who’ve sold wine and spirits to Wetherspoons. Like IKEA, the Spoons buyers are absolutely forbidden from accepting so much as a cup of coffee from their suppliers. I know independent pubs where part of the price you pay is for a cosy relationship between the owner and the supplier. Not Wetherspoons
Ah interesting.
Thanks for commenting. You're making a lot of assertions that I don't think are strictly true. The British pub trade would be in deep trouble even if Wetherspoons didn't exist. I'm not sure about suppliers, I imagine he drives a hard bargain, but unlike with supermarkets, I don't think he is making people sell at a loss. Regarding Brexit, I don't want the comments section to argue about this as otherwise it will get out of hand.