Tim Martin, the founder and chairman of Wetherspoon's, is known for his outspoken views, but even he was shaken by the backlash he faced during the pandemic. The 69-year-old, who was knighted in the new year honours list, admits he is 'scarred' by the false claims that he told staff to 'go and work in Tesco'. He says: 'For a very short time I was hated based on false information. And it's heavy.'
Martin, who stands 6ft 6in with a mane of white hair, is a celebrity in his own pubs. During a visit to the Moon Under Water in Watford, he was approached by a customer who asked: 'Do you want to buy a steak?' – a reference to a recent apology from GB News after a presenter falsely claimed shoplifters sold stolen goods at Wetherspoon's. Martin laughs: 'I haven't told GB News.'
Despite his controversial reputation, Martin claims not to be political, saying: 'I was brought up in Northern Ireland mostly and I could see that people, if they become political enough, become irrational.' He even keeps his voting preference secret from his wife. However, his strong support for Brexit has made him a target for boycotts, which have failed to dent the chain's success.
Martin reflects on the pandemic, during which he argued against restrictions on pubs. He admits: 'It's an emotional issue because people died... To stick your head above your parapet... from a personal point of view it may have been better not to say anything.' Despite the criticism, Wetherspoon's continues to thrive, offering low prices that keep customers coming back.
