JD Wetherspoon cuts meal and drink prices to tempt customers in

JD Wetherspoon is to offer five meals for just £2.99 each, as it seeks to keep cash-strapped consumers spending during the early months of 2009.

From Monday (5 January), the high street pub operator will also reduce the price of five of its drinks, including Greene King IPA for 99p. The offers will run “indefinitely”.

John Hutson, chief Executive of Wetherspoon, said: “We are offering leading brands of drinks at excellent prices and the five meals offer outstanding quality and value.”

Last month, Wetherspoon, which will release a pre-close trading statement on 20 January 2009, spent £5m on five new pub openings. The group has benefited from the “Aldi effect”, which has seen consumers trading down.

• Spirit, the managed division of Punch Taverns, has also responded to the predicted slowdown in consumer spending by introducing several meal promotions. Chef & Brewer is offering two courses for £10 or three for £12, while Spirit's Metro Pubs group has a January sale offering consumers the option to dine for £5. Units operating as part of the company's Price Led Pubs group will be offering rump steak and fish and chips for £2.99.

JD Wetherspoon benefits from "Aldi effect" as sales rise>>

Pub predictions for 2009>>

By Chris Druce

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