The pub chain has announced it will be opening its first ever pub in continental Europe, and it will be located at an airport that is popular with British holidaymakers
J D Wetherspoon has unveiled plans to launch its first pub on the European mainland, and it’s set to be located at an airport that’s a favourite among Brits jetting off for their holidays.
The inaugural European Spoons will be situated at the Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport in Spain, a common landing spot for British tourists en route to Benidorm.
Alicante-Elche Airport is a hit with holidaymakers from Birmingham, thanks to its direct flight connections, with airlines such as easyJet, Jet2, and Ryanair offering non-stop routes between the two cities, boasting a flight duration of less than three hours.
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The pub chain has already disclosed the name of the new establishment – Castell de Santa Bàrbera – and have confirmed that it’ll be up and running by the end of January 2026. It will be conveniently located in the airside departures lounge, making it an ideal spot for tourists who fancy a swift pint and a bite to eat before they embark on their flight home.
The new watering hole will open its doors seven days a week, from 6am to 9pm, with food being served until an hour before closing time. The pub will offer nearly 1,000 square feet of indoor seating, along with an outdoor terrace providing additional tables for patrons.
Wetherspoons also offered a glimpse at their menu, revealing that many UK favourites will be on offer, including their popular breakfasts, burgers, and pizzas. However, for those wanting to savour one last taste of Spain before heading home, local dishes such as garlic prawns and Spanish omelettes will also be available.
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In a statement, Wetherspoon founder and chairman Tim Martin said: ” We are very much looking forward to opening our first overseas pub. We believe it will be popular with people travelling home from Alicante Airport.”
He disclosed his plans to grow the chain further, stating: “We aim to open a number of pubs overseas in the coming months and years, including those at airports.”
Alicante-Elche Airport stands as the most frequented in the Valencian region, achieving a record-breaking 18.3 million passengers in 2024.
This isn’t the sole expansion Wetherspoons have revealed this week.
The pub chain has also confirmed they’ll be launching four fresh branches situated within Haven holiday parks by spring 2026’s conclusion.
The four parks receiving new branches will be: Cala Gran in Blackpool, Hopton in Norfolk, Lakeland in the Lake District, and Riviere Sands in Cornwall.
Five Wetherspoons branches already operate within Haven parks, offering popular dishes from the chain’s menu.
Since launching, they have delivered 907,000 main meals, 288,000 breakfasts and poured 692,201 pints across the five locations, according to Haven’s figures.
Wetherspoons additionally has six fresh branches launching throughout the UK in upcoming months, with new sites including Newcastle upon Tyne, Stockton-on-Tees, and Wetherby, Yorkshire.
These new branches will complement over 800 current Wetherspoons branches already operating across the UK.