Director's Sabbatical

Wetherspoon (JD) PLC
26 September 2003

                               JD WETHERSPOON PLC
                                 PRESS RELEASE

                              DIRECTOR'S SABBATICAL

Tim Martin, Chairman of JD Wetherspoon plc, intends to fulfil a long-held
ambition and take a six month unpaid sabbatical, commencing on Monday 29th
September 2003, during which he will spend some time travelling.  In his absence
John Hutson (Managing Director), Suzanne Baker (Commercial Director) Jim Clarke
(Finance Director), and the remainder of the senior management team will perform
his executive duties within the company. Tim will be non-executive chairman of
the Company during his sabbatical and will attend board meetings.

Tim Martin said:

 'The executive directors and senior managers at Wetherspoon are extremely
experienced, having worked for the company for many years.  I am extremely
confident that they will manage the business very well in my absence and I look
forward to finding the Company in even better shape when I return in six months
time.'

Enquiries:

Eddie Gershon          Company Spokesman         0208 352 5012 / 07956 392234
Jim Clarke             Finance Director          01923 477764


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

29 September 2003


End


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