Wetherspoon shares down after chain cancels Christmas dinner

Shares in pub chain JD Wetherspoon were down on Monday morning, after the company announced it was bringing the axe down on the traditional Christmas dinner.

FTSE 250

20,508.75

15:45 15/11/24

n/a

FTSE 350

4,453.56

15:45 15/11/24

n/a

FTSE All-Share

4,411.85

15:45 15/11/24

n/a

Travel & Leisure

8,607.27

15:45 15/11/24

-0.29%

-25.35

Wetherspoon (J.D.)

625.50p

15:45 15/11/24

0.32%

2.00p

The FTSE 250 firm said turkey and trimmings would come off the menu this December, and be replaced with a Christmas-themed beef burger, turkey pie and a vegetarian Wellington.

It came just a few months after Wetherspoons gave the traditional Sunday roast the chop as well, to much outcry from the chain’s loyal fans.

“Wetherspoons will not be serving a 'traditional dinner' in its pubs,” a spokesman told the Sun.

“However its pubs will still be serving a range of Christmas meals, all day, every day from November 15 to December 22 inclusive.

“A number of high street restaurant operators don't offer a Christmas roast but do offer meals that are Christmas-based and Wetherspoon is taking a similar approach.”

But social media users saw the move less favourably, with a storm of complaints on Twitter.

Investors also appeared to consider it a ‘Grinch’ decision, with shares in JD Wetherspoon down 0.64% at 932.5p at 1152 BST.