JD Wetherspoon to offload more pubs

JD Wetherspoon is planning to offload more pubs as sales slow and costs rise. The company said it was disposing of 39 pubs, with seven added to the list this week, and on top of the five it sold recently. In a trading update yesterday, the 847-pub chain said business had been “broadly” in line with expectations, but it added that October had been a slower month. Despite the most recent closures, boss Tim Martin said he did not think the company’s estate had peaked, adding that he thought the chain could add an extra 100 to 150 pubs. The Times (£) The Guardian