Pub chain JD Wetherspoon has announced it will stop selling Heineken products across its 926 UK pubs following a dispute over pricing in Ireland. The row centres on Heineken's refusal to supply its lager and Murphy's Irish stout to Wetherspoon's second Irish pub in Dun Laoghaire, which is set to open soon.
Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin criticised Heineken for requesting personal guarantees from chief executive John Hutson to cover payments, a demand never made in their 35-year relationship. Martin described the move as 'obstructive' and 'unacceptable', especially given the company's record profits of around £80 million last year.
The dispute means Heineken lager, Murphy's stout, Strongbow cider, John Smith's bitter, and Foster's lager will be removed from Wetherspoon's UK menus. The chain currently takes £60 million worth of Heineken products annually in the UK.
Heineken UK acknowledged the long-standing relationship but declined to comment in detail, stating that 'commercial issues in Ireland between Heineken Ireland and JD Wetherspoon have led to the current situation.' Wetherspoon already has a separate dispute with Diageo, meaning it does not serve Guinness in Ireland.
