The wonder of Wetherspoons | Tim Martin talks to Simon Evans

Wetherspoons is perhaps Britain’s best-loved pub chain. Its nearly 900 pubs are cheap, cheerful and cater to a cross-section of society. So naturally, snobs hate it. They’re missing out. Not only is Wetherspoons famously affordable, many of its pubs are nestled in architectural gems, from old opera houses to former banks. They offer genuine hubs of community on otherwise boarded-up high streets. spiked columnist Simon Evans went to his local Brighton Spoons to meet Tim Martin, the chain’s founder and chairman. What’s next for Wetherspoons, and for the pub trade? Does Tim regret wading into the Brexit debate? And how does he keep the prices so low? Here’s Simon’s conversation with the man himself.
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[@Mr1toothy]

Max respect to Tim... Wetherspoons are an amazing chain, with superbly clean toilets and amazingly cheap prices across the board, for the people of all backgrounds. A pint of crystal cold Strongbow, in a Strongbow pint glass, £2.75... THE 'Regal' in Cambridge. Good job Tim...

[@spudspuddy]

Well done BOT, Wetherspoons's cheque in the post

[@zx9mel]

They really do try with their toilets . . . the Art Deco loo's at The Peter Cushing in Whitsable are amazing.

[@zx9mel]

@@spudspuddy Is everyone you don't agree with a BOT ?

[@Les-OZZYTHEOSCAR]

I'm a Wetherspoons fan, and proud of it

[@spudspuddy]

makes your dole cheque go further does it?

[@Les-OZZYTHEOSCAR]

@@spudspuddy not on the dole, I work and prefer value for money to being ripped off

[@latchmere100]

​@@spudspuddysad little puppet comment. Another pronoun victim.😂😂😂

[@ralphheming1461]

My kind of person! !!! GREAT guy 😊

[@neilcunninghammedia]

Excellent piece. I visited a Wetherspoons in Portsmouth recently and was astounded how busy it was and the way it brought locals (many pensioners) together.

[@paulhank7967]

The wetherspoons at Ilfracombe is amazing. It takes centre stage on a run down beach front street and keeps the place alive. The staff are all friendly.

[@adyhartmusic]

Tim is a legend. Top bloke too… 👍🏼

[@Electriclentilman]

Surely this man is a national hero?

[@Londonfogey]

Yes, but the media I suspect don't like him because he holds the 'wrong' opinion on Brexit.

[@regpither3392]

I've just come back from a weekend at the King's Head Inn hotel in Salisbury. Great building, lovely location, very nice room, good price, cheap food and drink. I've stayed at seven of their hotels now and eaten at 80 of their pubs - highly recommended!

[@janewatson8108]

Good man.

[@stewheart]

I love how he very graciously chose pubs in all Uk countries

[@StonefieldJim4]

Yes, that stood out for me too - and it was obviously said with genuine pride and sincerity.

[@spudspuddy]

uk countries, they is only 4

[@Londonfogey]

@@spudspuddy Three actually. Wales is officially a principality, not a kingdom.

[@spudspuddy]

​@@Londonfogey and england is not a kingdom either but together they all form a kingdom

[@JustAlex848]

Dublin is not in the UK - it's in the Republic of Ireland (not Northern Ireland)

[@steve-kl9iv]

I just love the Spoon's app and ordering your drink to your table 😊

[@janelester6477]

Love Wetherspoons - what's not to like about lovely buildings and cheap drinks? Also like the hotels - good value, good breakfasts. Plus Wetherspoons pubs actually feel (almost) like pubs used to do - actual conversations, mixture of people 👍👍👍 great business model Tim

[@zamiadams4343]

I met Tim when I worked at "The Shakespeares Head" pub in Holborn London about 25 years ago. I sat down with him and my manager and had a pint and a bite to eat, he was such a lovely bloke, and a great orator.

[@nigelwood4977]

Fantastic guy. Great sense of humour and plays himself down despite being a legend to thousands of Spoon lovers.

[@michaelconnolly7681]

I was on holiday in Milton Keynes at the weekend and called into the Wetherspoons there and got a few nice choices off the menu. It only came to 9 pounds. I had to ask - 'are you sure?'. The prices are so good and the quality was great. I have to add that the staff were very friendly as well.

[@ommk9650]

Which MK Spoons was it? Moon under water at the xscape, Old spoons or the Bletchley one?

[@michaelconnolly7681]

@ommk9650 the one at xscape. Really nice open place. I enjoyed spending some time there.

[@ommk9650]

Milton Keynes gets a bad rap but is really quite a pleasant city. Very green and lovely to drive around in the summer.

[@michaelconnolly7681]

@ommk9650 it was my first time in Milton Keynes. I think it's a beautiful place, very scenic. And Newport Pagnell is quite nice too.

[@ommk9650]

@@michaelconnolly7681 I live in Newport Pagnell. You should check out Stony Stratford next time too. Nice little town. Glad you enjoyed it. Whenever friends from around the country come to visit, they always seem quite surprised due to the bad reputation the city seems to have.

[@JulianBeach]

The snobbery about Wetherspoons says all you need to know about those who despise it.

[@spudspuddy]

The unemployed seem to love it they spend every day sitting outside these places

[@steve-kl9iv]

Everybody likes it. Middle-class with money, self employed, low wage earners, unemployed, pensioners, single people, married couples, families with kids, the young, middle aged and old . I never used to be a big fan of spoons but since the cost of living crisis and pubs ripping everyone off, spoons is now my first choice anywhere I go ,​@@spudspuddy

[@user-pf3ye6yi9n]

The far left wouldn't be seen dead in one. As far as I'm concerned this is a feature, not a bug.

[@spudspuddy]

@@user-pf3ye6yi9n the opposite is true, they are full of lefty loosers who never work snd demand union jacks are not displayed

[@beebeer]

@@user-pf3ye6yi9n I drink in Wetherspoons with far left mates. If the price is right politics is forgotten with some people.

[@ifcukin8mufc168]

Top man ! Much underrated

[@phillipbell3393]

worked at wetherspoons best job i have ever had

[@zulu1184]

Recently spent three weeks in a hotel next to a ‘spoons on one side and a Starbucks on the other. I’ll never work out how a coffee in one cost me nearly twice as much as a pint in the other

[@benjaminanderson6856]

it's called a margin

[@twentyrothmans7308]

I've met so many friends in pubs. The high costs of having a couple on the way home from work is destroying that form of contact. I wish that a chain had the nous to compete with Wetherspoons, and open up the market - but nobody's tried.

[@Londonfogey]

The Samuel Smith's chain is probably the nearest rival.

[@twentyrothmans7308]

@@Londonfogey Swiss Cottage!

[@ian-mucarruthers441]

Just wanted to say. The filming, editing and story telling in this was great. The content was also good.

[@spudspuddy]

BOT

[@sammyk.3567]

Was at the pre-opening of the Weatherspoons, Wick, Far North, Scotland. It was housed in a three floored excellent old Post Office. After that I was a frequent customer. There is never a stilted atmosphere in any "Spoon" which seems to be part of the sucess story. I also had used the PO before it's transformation. I remeber that PO smell and happy to say banished when Weatherspoons moved in. Sadly, after many years of excellence I suppose Tim Martin found it was time to move and leave "The Alexander Bain" to another group. Bain, I understand, was the local boy who created the "Fax' machine. Worth a Google for the pics and extended story. It's truly missed.

[@martin4787]

I was in Spoons in Old Trafford last Tuesday I think it was, about 1.30 and I looked up at a guy, I thought that looks like sir Tim Wetherspoon and blow me it was. He was sat there taking it all in, before making his presence known. Needless to say, he didn't get a round in.🤣🤣🤣

[@SB111058]

Same with me last year in The Spoons in Baker Street..👍

[@martin4787]

@@SB111058 🙂👍

[@seamusweber8298]

Tim Martin is a superb businessman. Love Wetherspoons. Where did the Wetherspoons name derive from

[@yinoveryang4246]

"The name of the business originates from JD, a character in The Dukes of Hazzard, and Wetherspoon, the surname of one of Martin's teachers in New Zealand, who had told him that he thought he would never amount to much".

[@seamusweber8298]

@yinoveryang4246 thank you

[@paultweedley2026]

Always had a good experience in Wetherspoons

[@colinmayes9446]

Spoons, great beer at affordable prices, enough said, bring it on and they did.

[@beachamgroup2482]

Our local Wetherspoons in Caerphilly was the first place to give our young son a job after a year of applying elsewhere. It's a great pub and he is loving his shifts. Thanks Tim, we have also purchased some shares.

[@nettlcambridgewest6671]

👏 I work occasionally in a busy kitchen at Spoons and the systems and processes they have on a corporate level are astounding so I’m a huge fan of the Wetherspoon machine… 🎉

[@billsykes5973]

I’m sat in spoons in Cornwall watching this 🍺

[@spudspuddy]

sad you couldn't afford to go somewhere decent

[@latchmere100]

​@@spudspuddyThe little lefty is upset. Cry lefty. Your tears make me smile 😃

[@spudspuddy]

@@latchmere100 i'm right wing you little W⚓ far far right...now do one

[@jonathancollard3710]

Great business, good food and beer, welcoming attitude and fair price… simples.. 😜

[@user-pf3ye6yi9n]

They do so many things right that the rest of the trade don't. Open every day all day. Food - if you can find a seat you can order food and it will arrive remarkably quickly even when the place is packed, no "sorry we're fully booked" or waiting for hours. Ale in good condition at the best prices - I don't expect others to be able to match their prices but the difference shows a lot are really trying it on.

[@paulmanser6887]

I love spoons come down to Woking Tim , your a hero

[@SB111058]

Spoons forever!!!

[@chrisofnottingham]

With regard to how do they keep the prices so low, basically they open at 8am and shut at midnight. So they are just making a lot of sales per day.

[@RayM53]

How is it that Richard Branson was lauded and held up as an example for his efforts, some of which came to nought, whilst Tim Martin has been largely shunned by the establishment. Could it be that his business model treads on the toes of vested interests by the multinationals that mostly domnate the hospitality industry? £6 for a pint at my brewery owned local and £2.25 at Wetherspoons for exactly the same product.

[@Londonfogey]

I think also his political views make him something of an outcast from the centrist-remainer establishment.

[@latchmere100]

Tim Martin is a great patriot.😊

[@Jimontherun]

Top man Tim.

[@user-kb5sh6yl3f]

A haven for itinerant workers on limited expense accounts! (I am struggling with the mental picture of Tim in slingbacks, though!) Great magazine also.

[@pauljones5066]

I loved Tim Martin on Desert Island DIscs! great guy

[@spudspuddy]

Did he choose baby shark and the wheels on the bus?

[@LosingYourCountry]

The book "Losing Your Country" is available free in ebook form from Amazon until July 3rd. Tim has the book!

[@michaelh8464]

What a guy…..what a chain….best in class!

[@zx9mel]

I was unlucky enough to be subjected to an episode of the BBC's "I'm sorry I haven't a clue". Host Jack Dee made a joke about an Oxford Bullingdon club dinner getting out of hand and making £5000 worth of improvements to a Wetherspoons pub. Just another sad example of the sneering, snarky middle class establishment cess-pool who know nothing about the average Brit and wouldn't lift a finger to help them. Unlike Sir Tim . . .

[@Londonfogey]

Shame on Jack Dee, he always seems a little bit removed from the mainstream establishment/regime comedians.

[@Anti_Woke]

Meeting in 'spoons Brighton marina for lunch tomorrow before sailing for Spain.

[@runabath]

Biggest holding is jdw really undervalued ❤

[@porka217]

I`m a spoons fan but I wished he would allow dogs because when I`m on holiday I can`t use the pubs or even the outdoor area.

[@Garffey]

Always seek out a 'spoonz' when having a day out and have visited many branches....was in one last night three meals with drinks £28.09...never had any real issues, you pretty much know what you get....

[@ChrisMills-p8s]

Always been a Spoon fan and admire the boss as an innovator but there appears to be two chains now. The old Spoons in market towns with excellent conversios and often rooms and a god awful load of urban pubs with noticeably worse food standards. As a rule of thumb, I avoid any Spoons in a shopping centre, city centre or railway station and its working so far.

[@janoconnor2706]

I'd never heard him speak before, but hang on ... that's a kiwi accent! Sure enough, spent school days in NZ :)

[@markosborne6971]

Always a good pint of ale at a great price what’s not to like !

[@grahamparker9470]

Without tim and CAMRA..we'd all be drinking all the same beers made in burton on trent...under license..strong yes but its pop not beer..thanks tim..

[@kevinodwyer2567]

Witherspoon in carlow the THE TULLOW GATE I was accused of abusing a member of staff court case followed and I was awarded 16 thousand ....that was 2 to 3 years ago...I am still waiting on a apology all in all with costs it cost witherspoon the best part of 30 grand....but not one word of apology..

[@tombrehony6277]

Great Advert, Treated his staff so well through the Pandemic.

[@BelpassoOilandWineCo]

One total see you next tuesday.

[@sasskin1]

like his views on the game

[@jimsully9851]

20% of Wetherspoons pubs are fantastic in their own right and one must commend Tim Martin for some of the venues….., some are really spectacular 80% however are absolutely terrible and would be massively enhanced if there was sport and some music to give the place a bit of identity, even if it did add a little to costs. Tim Martin does also provide a service to the less well off problem drinkers across the country, in so far as they can consume their alcohol in a pub.

[@user-pf3ye6yi9n]

The lack of sport and music is one of their biggest advantages. Unfortunately they are doing the Euros just now but most of the pubs are big enough and laid out in a way that means you can ignore it.

[@grahamparker9470]

I agree don't want your music or sport just a good drink..like abbot's.. not 5% kids sparkling pop called larger😂

[@user-pf3ye6yi9n]

@@grahamparker9470 One of the beer writers wrote a book a few years ago about the problems of the industry and what was being done about it. His conclusion was that the most successful theme for a pub was to be a traditional pub.

[@markcook5680]

be in gatehouse tonight watching football well done tim

[@williamharris4426]

wetherspoons brilliant

[@kjd9634]

I'm guessing Simon went to Verulam school I remember the rats castle.

[@sasskin1]

i hear he selling up to into hotels wonder why maybe that meeting with boris heads up ?

[@davegillespie3948]

Used to love wetherspoons but have a dog now so no go for me but I guess that suits alot of people.....oh well.

[@aethellstan]

don't close the george in wanstead! sign the petition!

[@simonlaw9234]

Wetherspoons is a great concept. Ale range, beautiful buildings and history explained. But in the last few years the food has turned to disgusting American junk food. 10 years ago it was great value. Big lamb shanks and mash, Sunday roast etc at great prices. Now, only the full British breakfast remains to tempt me in. If that disappears, no more. He must bring back proper British pub food.

[@michaeloconnor9465]

The new business model of wetherspoons is close pubs and force everybody into one small pub. Up the prices. Over the last 10 years, the quality of food has fallen while prices have rocketed. I don't eat wetherspoons food anymore. The chip portions are half the size and now cost £5 for a small plate. We have had two local wetherspoons close, and now a third one is about to close. It will soon be the only wetherspoons within a 4 mile. radius. This is in a highly dense area of London.

[@GordonHouston-Smith]

Depends a lot on the councils😢

[@timdarville4827]

I like Tim Martin, but why does he sound stoned?

[@korneyhebi5287]

His parents moved around a bit when he was a child and so his accent is mixed up apparently (or he’s stoned all the time 😅)

[@spudspuddy]

window licking does that to their voices

[@collin6238]

Nothing on the table but a phone how disappointing

[@wrichard11]

Wetherspoons seem to have taken their eye off the ball on food. I can hardly find anything to eat on the menu.

[@GordonHouston-Smith]

No roast swan stuffed with widgeon?

[@mr.145]

Hand reared venison,Jersey Pommes,Asparagus tips,in a Blairgowrie raspberry jus/ reduction, no, but the Pizzas are ok.

[@yinoveryang4246]

It is because the cost of ingredients has shot through-the-roof after Brexit and other economic disasters. To keep their original pricing model relatively intact, they've had to simplify. They've focused on the traditional favourites. At all costs. I'm convinced that sometimes they must make a loss when they're throwing pints of Leffé into a meal deal.

[@mr.145]

@@yinoveryang4246 sounds like a balanced diet..hic!🤣

[@hollytalbot6695]

Weatherspoons will not let a dog on the premises..

[@astrecks]

Well, if you smarten yourself up a bit, they might let you in?

[@StonefieldJim4]

@@astrecks 🤣

[@simondjangothe4349]

@@astrecksoof!

[@spudspuddy]

seen dogs at the tables outside, my neighbours sitting there all day with their dog

[@GordonHouston-Smith]

Sadly so, but Tim has outlined his reasons which are fair enough.

[@aaddy5157]

WEATHERSPOONS PUBS WOULD BE EVEN BETTER IF THEY WERE DOG FRIENDLY!

[@MrItsme73]

He sacked his staff during covid.. no furlough bollocks, nice guy. 😢

[@williamwallace4924]

It is getting dear in witherspoons, the prices keep going up and up and up, he is a greedy capitalist.

[@JustAlex848]

I really like Tim but I absolutely cannot stand Wetherpoons. I'll admit, the architecture of some of their venues is amazing, but as far as being 'pubs' go, they are completely soulless. The interior strikes me more as a canteen for boozing than aa nice place to sit and relax. If you ever catch me going to one, I always insist on sitting outside!

[@MrSteveMG]

Will never use a Wetherspoons until they allow dogs !!

[@Louis-eh7mo]

Spoons is hit and miss, for the consumer it’s cheap and cheerful, but for the staff doesn’t hold the best reputation

[@ivanconnolly7332]

Brexit cheerleader now a Brexit crybaby.

[@simondjangothe4349]

salty tears?

[@spudspuddy]

Remoaners just can't get over it, keep crying while you do your call to prayer wailing

[@ivanconnolly7332]

@@spudspuddy 5% loss of GDP is your loss not mine.

[@paulhank7967]

Of course you're far more informed and intelligent than Tim. What a buffoon you are.

[@peterkabrna]

Hate Wetherspoons. Nothing nice about it any time

[@phillipfairbrass3575]

People knock Witherspoon's I personally use my local one and find it great,,I'm a chef and people say things ohh the curry is frozen,go into any cafe pub,restaurant most are batched cooked,frozen and reheated for the customer,same as chilli etc,,I enjoy the mixed grill,,not enough chips but that's me ,prices have risen in the last year but with a drink remain cheap,