Numbers up at Wetherspoon

Pub company JD Wetherspoon saw turnover and pre-tax profit increase by more than 20% in the six months to 27 January.

Turnover rose by 26% to £285.2m, up from £227m for the same period last year, while pre-tax profit increased by 22% to £24.9m, against £20.5m in 2001.

Like-for-like sales at the group's pubs increased by 5.5%, with like-for-like profit rising by 4%. Like-for-like food sales rose by 10%, attributed to improved speed and better service.

Wetherspoon's Lloyds pubs continued to perform well, with sales in the original 10 pubs bought in 2000 showing a like-for-like increase of 65%. The group has 20 Lloyds pubs and believes there is "substantial scope" for development.

Since year-end, group sales have continued to increase. In February, like-for-like sales rose by 6.2%.