JD Wetherspoon Expands into Continental Europe with Spanish Airport Pub
JD Wetherspoon has marked a significant milestone by opening its first pub in continental Europe this morning. The new venue, named Castell de Santa Bàrbera, is situated in the airside departures area of Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport in Spain, serving pints of Stella Artois alongside full English breakfasts, burgers, and pizzas.
Pub Details and Operating Hours
The pub operates seven days a week from 6am to 9pm, offering nearly 1,000 square feet of space on a single level. It also features an external terrace with customer seating, providing travellers with a comfortable dining environment. The menu blends familiar Wetherspoon favourites from the UK with local Spanish dishes, including garlic prawns and Spanish omelette.
Pricing and Beverage Selection
Several draught lagers and beers are available, with Amstel Original and Stella Artois priced at €5.95 (£5.18), Guinness at €7.50 (£6.53), and Leffe Blonde at €7.95 (£6.92). Food options include a traditional English breakfast for €10.25 (£8.92), a classic beef burger with chips for €12.95 (£11.27), and a bowl of eight chicken bites for €10.95 (£9.53). Meals are served throughout the day until one hour before closing.
Strategic Expansion and Franchise Partnership
Wetherspoon founder and chairman Tim Martin expressed enthusiasm about the opening, stating, 'We are delighted to have opened in Spain. We believe the pub will be popular with a wide range of customers travelling home from Alicante Airport, including those travelling home to the UK and those using the terminal for trips to England and beyond.' He added that the chain aims to open additional pubs overseas in the coming months and years, with a focus on airport locations.
The pub is operated by Wetherspoon's franchise partner, Lagardère Travel Retail. Javier Cagigal, Lagardère's Spain and Portugal chief executive, commented, 'At Alicante Airport, our team has focused on understanding passenger expectations and translating that insight into a dining offer that is relevant and appealing. This opening reflects our locally driven approach and the way we work with partner brands across our portfolio.'
Local Heritage and Menu Composition
Named after Santa Bàrbara Castle in Alicante to incorporate local heritage, the pub features Spanish tiles instead of the special carpet designs typical in other Wetherspoon locations. Approximately 90% of the menu consists of dishes available in UK pubs, with the remainder dedicated to Spanish specialties. This move follows Sir Tim Martin's announcement in January last year that Wetherspoon was considering expansion into European holiday hotspots popular with British tourists, excluding China from current plans.
Background and Industry Context
Previously operating nearly 800 pubs exclusively in the UK and Ireland, this opening represents Wetherspoon's first venture outside these regions. The expansion builds on successful franchise partnerships in Britain, such as those with Haven holiday parks and the universities of Hull and Newcastle. Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport has grown in popularity among Britons seeking access to the Costa Blanca region and destinations like Benidorm.
Political Advocacy and Financial Challenges
In related news, Sir Tim Martin has urged hospitality industry leaders to support Reform UK's policies for the pub sector, which include proposals to slash beer tax and achieve 'tax parity with supermarkets.' Reform UK's plans involve cutting VAT by 10%, reducing beer duty by 10%, reversing recent rises in employers' national insurance contributions, and gradually removing business rates for pubs, funded by reinstating the two-child benefit cap.
This advocacy comes amid financial pressures for Wetherspoon, which recently warned of lower profits due to higher-than-expected costs in energy, wages, and business rates during the first half of its financial year. The chain anticipates annual trading results to be slightly below the previous year if current sales trends persist.
