It’s one of 15 new sites for the chain around the country
12:30, 09 Sep 2025Updated 14:19, 09 Sep 2025
Wetherspoon says it is opening a new pub in Emersons Green(Image: Moonstone Images via Getty Images)
JD Wetherspoon is set to open a new pub in Bristol. The pub will in Emersons Green and is one of 15 new sites it is launching.
This expansion comes after the popular pub chain signed a fresh franchise agreement with The Papas Group, a family-run business. Bristol Live reported in July that Papas was rumoured to have taken on the Beefeater site on the A4174 Ring Road, although the location of the new Wetherspoons has not been confirmed.
Michael Barron, Wetherspoon’s commercial director, expressed his delight at signing agreements with The Papas Group. He also hinted at further opportunities, expressing confidence that more franchise agreements will be signed.
Andrew Papas, director of The Papas Group, shared his excitement about partnering with Wetherspoons to bring 15 new pubs to life across the UK.
He emphasised that these aren’t just any pubs – they’re ‘beloved community spaces’, strategically located outside the traditional high street, but right at the heart of where people live, work, and gather.
Wetherspoon’s chairman Tim Martin said: “Draught volumes are performing strongly with Guinness being the standout performer. “On the food front, breakfasts, terribly slow post-pandemic, have recovered their lustre and are now well ahead.
“Chicken, also, has put in a clucking good performance and volumes in recent weeks are up by about 50% compared to pre-pandemic levels.”
Wetherspoon is expecting to meet its profit forecasts for the year, despite warning over the impact of higher labour costs following increases to employers’ national insurance contributions and the minimum wage. It has previously warned it is facing a £60 million hit from the higher business costs. Nonetheless, the group has said it plans to invest in its pubs over the year ahead, including staff rooms and gardens, and hopes to open another 30 sites.