That girl karma is at it again
Despite the vast array of colourful characters that seem to be stuck in eternal drinking purgatory there, UK pub staple Wetherspoons has recorded its most significant loss ever.
Since July 2020, the pub franchise dropped to a pre-tax loss of £154.7 million. The year before, the company reported a loss of £34.1 million. Sales were also down massively from £1.26 billion to £772.6 million, reports the Independent.
Tim Martin's Wetherspoons is reporting record losses citing covid lockdowns and difficulty in recruiting staff being the driver.
While the entire service industry is struggling to fill jobs, I can see why wetherspoons would be last on the list for any would be applicant. https://t.co/OFRZTnoAJA— 🌸Spring Begins🌸🍥 (@Aimz_1987) October 1, 2021
This is the third year the company has reported a loss in its 37 year history.
Founder, chairman and staunch Brexiteer Tim Martin said that he remained hopeful for the future despite disappointing numbers.
“On average, Wetherspoon has received a reasonable number of applications for vacancies, as indicated by the increase in employee numbers, but some areas of the country, especially “staycation” areas in the West Country and elsewhere, have found it hard to attract staff,” he said.
https://twitter.com/bighaireecoo/status/1443847979534856197
Hospitality venues have arguably been one of the worst-hit over the pandemic. Earlier this year, over 10,000 pubs had to close their doors permanently due to the pandemic’s impact, reports Sky.
Even post-pandemic crisis point, Martin’s pubs were hit with the HGV driver shortage, which was ironically brought on by the very thing he campaigned so hard for.
But Martin did not talk about the shortages, instead choosing to focus on the impact of social restrictions.
When beer ran out in ‘Spoons last month, people were quick to draw the obvious line between Brexit and the ironic impact it had on Brexiteers like Martin.
Surprising lack of bombast in Wetherspoons annual results today. No mention of HGV driver shortages / supply chains and nothing on Brexit. Although Tim Martin does have time to call the use of lockdowns "a threat to civil society and democracy". Happy Friday everyone!
— Simon Neville (@SimonNeville) October 1, 2021
“#TimMartin who advocated for Brexit, whose pub chain printed 200,000 beer mats bearing a message arguing for Britain to leave the E… Now facing staff & supply shortages So how’s #Brexit working out for you so far, Tim? #wetherspoons,” asked one Twitter user.
A regular Edgar Allan Poe tweeted: “There was a pub owner called Tim Did something exceedingly dim He backed Brexit, it’s clear Now his pubs have no beer But I do not feel sorry for him.”
Related links:
- The UK government has ‘just 10 days to save Christmas’
- Government working on temporary visa scheme for HGV drivers
- BBC reporter covering petrol shortage called Phil McCann
