Pub chain behemoth JD Wetherspoons has announced a dramatic January price cut, with plans to sell pints of beer for as little as 99p. The move mirrors the traditional post-Christmas sales seen in retail and is designed to boost trade during one of the quietest periods for the hospitality industry.
Sale Dates and Bargain Booze Details
The Wetherspoons January sale is scheduled to run from Friday, January 2, to Thursday, January 15. For its Scottish pubs, the event begins a day later on Saturday, January 3. The headline offer is a pint of Worthington's beer for just 99p at over 600 of its 800-plus UK pubs, a significant drop from its usual price of £1.49.
The discounts extend far beyond beer. The chain, affectionately known as 'Spoons', will offer a 250ml glass of Coldwater Creek wine – including Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Rose, or Merlot – for £2.99. Spirits are also included, with a 25ml measure of Johnnie Walker Black Label or Tanqueray gin, each including a mixer, priced at £1.99.
Catering to Dry January and Food Offers
Recognising the popularity of 'Dry January', Wetherspoons has included substantial discounts on low and no-alcohol drinks. These will include Guinness 0.0, Corona Cero, Brewdog Punk AF, and Stella Artois Alcohol Free for £1.69 each. Beck's Blue and Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa will be available for 99p.
On the food front, several meal deals are planned. An 11-inch Margherita pizza or a crunchy chicken burger with chips or a side salad will cost £4.99 when paired with a soft drink, or £6.52 with an alcoholic drink. Jacket potatoes with one filling start at £4.99 (with soft drink), rising to £6.52 with an alcoholic beverage.
Founder's Comments and Trading Context
Wetherspoons founder and chairman, Tim Martin, stated: "Department stores and shops hold their sales in January, so it is the perfect time to have a sale in the pub too." He emphasised that the range aimed to suit a wide variety of tastes and confirmed staff would serve customers responsibly.
The sale continues the chain's track record of promotional pricing, following a September event where it sold pints for £1.66 to highlight tax disparities with supermarkets. Despite widespread challenges in the pub sector, Wetherspoons has reported resilient trading, with like-for-like sales growing 3.7% in the 14 weeks to early November.
It is important to note that prices will vary at around 200 sites, including those in central London, with the promoted prices available at more than 600 branches.
