The pub chain is eyeing an overseas expansion
JD Wetherspoons has revealed it will launch its inaugural European pub, a two and a half hour flight from London.
The pub chain has confirmed it will welcome punters in Spain as part of its international expansion plans.
A new establishment is planned for Alicante airport in Spain.
The venue will be named the Castell de Santa Barbera and is anticipated to launch by the end of January 2026.
It will be situated in the departures area, giving British travellers a final taste of home before their return journey, reports Birmingham Live.
The fresh outlet will operate daily from 6am until 9pm.
Patrons will be able to sample classic pub grub, featuring full English breakfasts and burgers, plus beloved regional specialities like garlic prawns and Spanish tortilla.
Wetherspoon founder and chairman Sir Tim Martin commented: “We are very much looking forward to opening our first overseas pub.
“We believe it will be popular with people travelling home from Alicante airport.”
The decision signals the beginning of Wetherspoon’s international growth, Sir Tim noted.
He continued: “We aim to open a number of pubs overseas in the coming months and years, including those at airports.”
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport is gaining momentum amongst British travellers.
The airport provides holidaymakers with entry to the Costa Blanca area along Spain’s south-eastern coastline and hotspots like Benidorm. The new venue will provide nearly 1,000 square foot of customer space on a single level, along with an outdoor terrace featuring customer seating.
This is part of Wetherspoon’s strategy to open 30 new pubs in its current financial year – comprising 15 managed pubs and 15 franchises.
Wetherspoon currently runs almost 800 pubs across the UK.
Recent data showed that the group achieved a 3.7 per cent increase in like-for-like sales over the first 14 weeks of its financial year, up until November 2.
Sir Tim expressed at the time that the company was ‘mindful of the Chancellor’s Budget statement later this month and, as a result, is slightly more cautious in its outlook for the remainder of the year’.
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