Wetherspoon has inaugurated its inaugural pub in Europe, featuring a classic English breakfast and sandwiches. The popular British chain has ventured into Spain’s Alicante airport, anticipating high demand from British travelers heading to destinations like Benidorm. This establishment could be the first of many, as indicated by Wetherspoon’s CEO Tim Martin hinting at potential future openings in the upcoming months.
However, visitors expecting the familiar Wetherspoon ambiance may be surprised by the absence of the iconic carpet, replaced by Spanish tiles and cream-colored walls. The pub’s size is notably smaller than typical high street Wetherspoon locations.
While some menu items differ, with the absence of British fish and chips due to a lack of a deep fat fryer, traditional offerings like a full English breakfast are available for 10.25 euros. The pub, named Castell de Santa Bàrbera, operates daily from 6 am to 9 pm, offering nearly 1,000 square feet of indoor customer space and an outdoor terrace.
Tim Martin expressed his delight at the Spanish opening, foreseeing its popularity among travelers passing through Alicante Airport. The menu includes a mix of British and local dishes, catering to diverse tastes. The pub also serves a range of beverages, including beers like Amstel, Stella Artois, Guinness, and BrewDog Punk IPA, as well as cocktails for those in a holiday mood.
The Alicante pub’s strategic location caters to the significant influx of British tourists to the Costa Blanca, with various airlines offering direct flights to the region. Alongside its competitors at the airport, Wetherspoon aims to expand overseas through partnerships with franchise operators, marking a new chapter in its history following a recent period of consolidation in the UK and Ireland.
Plans are underway to open approximately 30 pubs over the next year, with half directly managed by Wetherspoon and the remainder operated by franchisees, potentially creating 1,800 job opportunities. Despite challenges in the hospitality industry, Wetherspoon continues to thrive, with the new pub at Alicante Airport managed by franchise partner Lagardère Travel Retail.