Wetherspoons wants 1,000-pub estate

JD Wetherspoon has set its sights on a 1,000-pub estate once more. Following strong Christmas trading, boss Tim Martin said growth was now back on the menu. At its largest, in 2015, JD Wetherspoon had 951 pubs. Since then the business has downsized to 814 pubs. In its first half the pub group opened just two pubs, selling five and surrendering leases on a further eight. The Times (£)