Statement re Sun News Article

Summary by AI BETAClose X

J D Wetherspoon PLC has issued a correction to a recent newspaper article that inaccurately reported its chairman's views on the company's ordering app. The article suggested the chairman might discontinue the app, but the company clarifies that his comments were a joke in response to a customer letter and that the app is popular and here to stay, with no intention of curbing its use.

Disclaimer*

Wetherspoon (JD) PLC
09 April 2026
 

 

9 April 2026

 

J D WETHERSPOON PLC

 

NEWS RELEASE - CORRECTION



In a Sun newspaper article ("Wetherspoons boss slams rise of QR codes to order food and drinks as it stops banter at the bar, 7 April"), it was stated that Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin, "bemoaned the rise of QR codes" and that "he may even decide to call time on the use of technology in the future."

In fact, in response to a customer letter in Wetherspoon News, which criticised the use of the "app" (in effect, the QR code), Mr Martin joked that he agreed with the customer since app users are unable to "[shoot] the breeze with the bar team…impressing them with … witty observations". 

The Sun story has no basis in fact and has, unfortunately, created anxiety among dedicated app-users.  Mr Martin has made it clear that the app is here to stay.

Mr Martin said:

"The journalist undoubtedly had a rush of blood to the head and struggled to understand my deft sense of humour. The app is very popular and Wetherspoon never had any intention of curbing its use."

 

ENDS

 

 

 

Enquiries:

Nigel Connor                 Legal Director                          07818 232529

Eddie Gershon              Company Spokesman             07956 392234

 

Please send any questions by email to investorqueries@jdwetherspoon.co.uk

 

Notes to editors

 

1.     J D Wetherspoon owns and operates pubs throughout the UK. The Company aims to provide customers with good-quality food and drink, served by well-trained and friendly staff, at reasonable prices. The pubs are individually designed, and the Company aims to maintain them in excellent condition.

 

2.     Visit our website:  www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our Privacy Policy.
 
END
 
 
UK 100

Latest directors dealings