Passengers at Manchester Airport's new Wetherspoon pub have reported long queues and overcrowding, with one describing the experience as "like sardine city" and another comparing the venue to a "cattle market". The Belle Vue pub opened last week in Terminal 2, generating significant excitement among travellers, but some have been left frustrated by the sheer volume of customers.
Queues and cramped conditions
One traveller, who had an early morning flight on Monday, said she found a queue outside the pub at 5am. The venue is located at the far end of Terminal 2, near the D gates. She said: "There were queues to get in, and then just long waits for everything inside, it was like sardine city. Then when our drinks did arrive it was flat beer, we felt so cramped, it was just awful."
She added: "I'd rather pay an extra pound and sit somewhere nice in the airport - which is exactly what we did. We left most our drinks and went to another quieter bar instead."
Another passenger, who flew out at the weekend, was surprised to find that Guinness had sold out after waiting in the queue to enter. He said: "It's just so bad, how can they run out of Guinness?".
Social media complaints
Photographs of the queues have been shared on social media, with travellers voicing their frustration. One, who arrived at lunchtime on Wednesday, wrote: "Couldn't get in here last week it was rammed over an hour wait they told us." Another posted on Facebook: "In there last Thursday it was like a cattle market, they've crammed all the tables that close together it's uncomfortable just my opinion."
The pub covers 338 square metres and accommodates 300 covers inside, operating from the first to the last flight of the day, roughly between 3am and 10pm daily. Both Manchester Airport and Wetherspoon's have been approached for their response regarding the queues and waiting times, attributing the issues to "exceptional demand".
Response from Wetherspoon and airport
Wetherspoon's spokesman Eddie Gershon explained: "The problems are due to exceptional demand. We will redouble our efforts. Food times are already remarkably quick - just over seven minutes from ordering - and we have an experienced and talented team in charge."
He added: "Unfortunately, there are legal capacity limits for all pubs for safety reasons. We apologise for the inconvenience and anticipate an improvement after the opening rush." Regarding the beer quality complaint, Mr Gershon said: "The beer shouldn't have been flat. We'll look into this and see if there are any technical problems - Wetherspoon has far more pubs in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide than any other company, so we're keen to get this right and maintain our reputation." On the Guinness shortage, he added: "Unfortunately, we did run out of Guinness, very rare in a Wetherspoon pub, but we're on the case, have upped the orders and apologise for the shortage."
Manchester Airport has said the pub has proven "very popular" since launching, but noted that customers typically do not linger long inside given they are catching flights, so wait times should remain manageable. Airport officials also highlighted that the new Belle Vue pub sits near alternative dining and drinking venues for travellers who would rather avoid queuing.
A Manchester Airport spokesperson commented: "We're really pleased that Wetherspoons is proving popular with passengers, as we knew it would. If the pub is full, though, we have plenty of other bars, restaurants and cafes available nearby where passengers can enjoy a pint and a bite to eat before their flight, including the Great Northern Market food hall, which is right next door."
