1st Qtr Sales & Pub Openings

Wetherspoon (JD) PLC
05 November 2002

                               JD WETHERSPOON PLC
                                 PRESS RELEASE


First Quarter Sales and Pub Openings

Sales in the thirteen weeks to 27th October 2002 increased by £32.8 million to
£173.1 million in comparison with the same period last year, a rise of 23%.
Like-for-like sales increased by 5.3% following the 6% increase achieved in the
equivalent period last year. As anticipated, eight pubs opened in the quarter
bringing the total number to 616.

Outlook

Wetherspoon continues to perform well. On Monday 11th November we are
introducing our Christmas marketing campaign across the estate* including the
following products where we will be matching or beating current prices at
Sainsbury's: Perrier, Red Bull, Reef, Red Square, Archer's Aqua, Newcastle Brown
Ale and Guinness.

As a result of our consistent trading performance, we are optimistic for the
Christmas season.

Tax and Regulations

The government recently announced an increase in employers' national insurance
which will cost Wetherspoon about £1 million per annum. In addition, an increase
in excise duty on premium packaged spirits like Smirnoff Ice will cost the
company about £5 million, as well as further increasing the duty differential
between Britain and France, eroding the competitiveness of an industry which
already pays over 40% of turnover on tax and duty.

The government is also proposing to transfer responsibility for liquor licensing
from magistrates to local authorities with the proposed annual fee increasing to
approximately £400 per pub per annum compared to £10 now. Local authorities also
cost more in legal fees and delays in areas of licensing they now control, as a
result of less efficient processing of applications. In our view, the government
should listen to the 94% of licensees who support the retention of magistrates
and should reduce excise duty to levels comparable to those in France.


Enquiries:


Tim Martin                    Chairman                            01923 477777
John Hutson                   Managing Director                   01923 477777
Jim Clarke                    Finance Director                    01923 477777

Eddie Gershon                 Company Spokesman                   0208 352 5012/
                                                                  07956 392234

Visit our web site at www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

5 November 2002


*Does not apply to Scotland, Northern Ireland, Central London, Airports and
Lloyds No. 1 pubs.

Note to editors:

Prices at Wetherspoons from Monday 11 November. Prices at Sainsbury's, Watford
Friday 1 November.

Product                              Wetherspoons (£)            J Sainsbury (£)
Perrier                              0.33                        0.34 Caledonian
Red Bull                             0.90                        0.95
Reef                                 0.99                        0.99
Red Square                           1.29                        1.39
Archer's Aqua                        1.45                        1.49
Newcastle Brown Ale                  1.45                        1.49
Guinness                             1.69 (1)                    1.85 (2)


(1)               Price per pint
(2)               £4.29 for 4 x 33cl = £1.85 per pint


End


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