By Arran Munro

By Oast House Archive via Wikimedia Commons

With 798 locations in the UK, JD Wetherspoons pubs continue to embed themselves as an integral part of British culture, appealing to people from all different walks of life. It’s safe to say that Wetherspoons pubs have revolutionised the UK pub scene and brought a whole new meaning to going for a pint. But why is the brand so dominant?

The first location opened in 1979, when entrepreneur Tim Martin converted it from a bookies in the North London area, calling it Martins Free House, before changing the name to Wetherspoons in 1980.

The establishments quickly began spreading from North London to become a nationwide feature and by 1994 they had opened their 100th location, as well as winning UK pub chain of the year in 1993.

This sheer popularity that has lasted to this day can be explained by a plethora of different reasons, but many would argue that the main reason for this is down to affordable food and drink, mass locations and extensive marketing strategies. The pub chain can buy large quantities of different drinks for a cheaper price; therefore, they can sell these at a far lower rate than other pubs.

With a cost-of-living crisis and the post-Covid world we live in, many people are finding it increasingly difficult to afford basic items, yet still, they want to be able to have a few drinks with their friends without breaking the bank. So, there's no wonder why many people, especially students, are flocking to their local Wetherspoons.

The revolution of the pub scene can also be explained by this, as Wetherspoons pubs notoriously had a reputation as being an “old man’s pub” and this discouraged many young people from going. However, this shift after lockdown has seen a large amount of diversity among many Wetherspoons customers.

The pub has now become a staple for many young people, who start their nights out in the establishment for a couple of drinks before going out into town. It acts as the beginning of a journey for many, and your local pub is usually only ever a quick trip away.

The famous interior look and table livery also help to ensure that their original audience of pubgoers are still attracted, as its retro and homely feel creates an environment that feels like they are somewhere safe and familiar. The colourful, intricate patterned carpets which match the floral nature of the plates all create a sense of somewhere they have been before that is iconic and keeps people coming back.

The company has also harnessed the power of social media, with multiple TikTok and Instagram posts asking their customers questions such as: “What Wetherspoons has the best carpet?”. It is rather interesting that something so simple about a pub can become so significant and the brand can become so famous because of it.

People who have taken to the Internet to compare their local Wetherspoons pubs with others also noted the difference between prices, drink selection and clientele. The British public almost seems to back their local like a football team, supporting it and showing that it is an integral part of their community.

One pub closing in central Yorkshire after 13 years left a scar on the community and caused outrage among the locals. Somewhere people could go for a family meal and a drink was stripped away from them, and the outcry this caused really shows you how much you take your local Wetherspoons for granted.

So, enjoy it whilst you still can, as you won’t get “Top brands at sensible prices, every day” anywhere else.

Why Wetherspoons continues to dominate the UK pub scene