JD Wetherspoon joins ALMR

JD Wetherspoon has joined the growing ranks of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), taking its membership to more than 10,000 outlets.

The pub firm joins managed operators Spirit and Stonegate, which signed up last month.

Nick Bish, chief executive of the ALMR, said: "Wetherspoon is not only an iconic brand and patently successful, but also thanks to Tim Martin's drive, passion and enthusiasm, it been ahead of the curve in retail innovation and political debate for the past 20 years. It is exactly this type of dynamic, entrepreneurial company the ALMR champions with Government and it is fantastic to have them on board helping to make our business case."

Tim Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon (pictured), said: "The biggest threat to competitiveness and job creation in our sector is the tax system. That is why our top priorities as a company are to reduce VAT for pubs and to harmonise alcohol duty with the EU average. ALMR is best placed to deliver that and we are very pleased to be working with them on these and other issues."

ALMR now has 96 member companies.

ALMR increases membership by 20% >>

ALMR welcomes plan to deregulate live entertainment >>

ALMR calls on Government to tackle cheap alcohol after hospital admissions soar >>

By Neil Gerrard

E-mail your comments to Neil Gerrard here.

If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.catererandhotelkeeper.com/tabletalk

Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs

Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs