A University of Leeds student has earned a first-class degree after writing his dissertation on Wetherspoon pubs, focusing on how customers use the popular chain. Josh Griffiths, 22, scored 74% for the 10,000-word project, which formed part of his BA honours in Geography.
Research Focus and Case Study Pubs
Griffiths, a self-described huge fan of the budget pubs, explored the chain's place in society, examining how consumers use the pubs, which drinks are popular, and where the company might expand. For his research, he focused on four locations: Beckett's Bank and The Golden Beam in Leeds, The Crosse Keys in the City of London, and The Sovereign of the Seas in Petts Wood, south-east London.
He also visited other Wetherspoon pubs across the country for the project. Griffiths said: "I enjoyed visits to The Lion & The Unicorn in Waterloo station and The Samuel Peto in Folkestone, Kent, alongside some of the case study pubs."
Supervisor's Praise
His dissertation supervisor, Professor David Bell, said it was the first time in his 38-year career that an undergraduate had written a dissertation on Wetherspoon. Bell said: "I was really impressed by Josh's finished project. He used observational data brilliantly to capture the diverse uses and customers, comparing different days and times to show the many roles which Spoons has in the community."
Bell added: "He combined this with some GIS mapping to look for potential new sites for Wetherspoon venues to open. This was a really innovative mix of methods. I really enjoyed supervising Josh and have, myself, become an observer of Spoons life."
