Overview

• The first franchised site, The Hykeham Manor at Gateway Park in Lincoln, is scheduled to open on 1 October on the former Brewers Fayre plot.
• Three more locations are slated for October and November in Annitsford, Stockton-on-Tees and Emersons Green, with further roll-out details to follow.
• The Papas Group, a family-run operator behind Papa's Fish and Chips and several Wendy's franchises, will run the new venues under the Wetherspoon brand.
• Alongside the expansion, six older pubs are on the market—The Water Gate (Barnstaple), The Babington Arms (Derby), Baxter's Court (Hackney), Kentish Drovers (Peckham), The Grey Friar (Preston) and The William Jameson (Sunderland)—and will keep trading until sold.
• Wetherspoon continues to use franchise partners such as Haven Holiday Parks and Newcastle and Hull universities, while also progressing separate managed openings in locations including London and the South East.