J D Wetherspoon's First European Pub Opens at Alicante Airport, Spain
Key Points
- 1J D Wetherspoon opens its first European pub, 'Castell de Santa Bàrbera,' at Spain's Alicante-Elche Airport on January 29.
- 2The pub, located airside in the non-Schengen zone, targets British tourists flying with easyJet, Jet2, and Ryanair.
- 3Operating daily from 6am to 9pm, the menu features UK favourites and local Spanish delicacies like garlic prawns.
- 4This opening marks Wetherspoon's initial step in a planned international expansion, including more airport locations.
J D Wetherspoon is set to open its first European pub, named 'Castell de Santa Bàrbera,' at Spain's Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport on January 29. This strategic move targets British tourists, who frequently use the airport as a gateway to popular holiday destinations like Benidorm, facilitated by budget airlines such as easyJet, Jet2, and Ryanair offering direct routes from the UK. The airport is a major hub, serving 18.3 million passengers in 2024, making it the busiest in the Valencian region.
The new establishment will be located airside in the non-Schengen departures zone, operating seven days a week from 6am to 9pm, with food service until 8pm. Spanning nearly 1,000 square feet of indoor seating, it also features an outdoor terrace. The menu will cater to both British and local tastes, offering traditional UK breakfasts, burgers, and pizzas alongside Spanish delicacies like garlic prawns and omelettes. Wetherspoon founder and chairman Tim Martin expressed enthusiasm for the venture, stating ambitions to expand the brand further overseas, particularly within airports.
This European debut aligns with Wetherspoon's broader growth initiatives. Beyond international expansion, the pub chain has also announced plans to introduce four new outlets within Haven holiday parks across the UK by spring 2026. These locations include Cala Gran, Hopton, Lakeland, and Riviere Sands, underscoring a diversified strategy to reach various customer segments.
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