Third Quarter Trading Update

Wetherspoon (JD) PLC
29 April 2005

                               JD WETHERSPOON PLC

                                 Press Release

29 April 2005

                          THIRD QUARTER TRADING UPDATE

Current Trading

Like-for-like sales for the third quarter of our financial year (the thirteen
weeks ended 24 April 2005) decreased by 2.0% (year to date down 0.5%). Overall
sales increased by 2% to £202.9m (year to date up 3% to £606.3m). The net
operating margin for the quarter declined by approximately 1% compared to the
previous year.

Property

During the third quarter we opened 6 pubs, bringing the year to date number of
openings to 12. We are anticipating opening 1 additional pub in the current
financial year. As highlighted as part of our interim results, we have
identified 16 pubs for disposal and agreement has now been reached in principle
on all of these pubs.

Non-Smoking Pubs

We brought forward the conversion of the first batch of existing pubs to
non-smoking to the 9th March (National Non-Smoking Day) and have now converted
11 existing pubs , as well as opening 6 new pubs on this basis. Although it is
early days, trade at the new and converted pubs has been broadly in line with
expectations, although initial indications are that a dip in bar sales and an
increase in food sales puts some pressure on margins. Given the forthcoming
smoking ban in pubs, we will continue with our efforts to maximise sales and
profits at these pubs.

By the end of May we will have approximately 30 non-smoking pubs and we plan to
convert a further 30 in the coming months.

A full list of the current non-smoking pubs is attached.

Outlook

The financial results for the 12 months to the end of July 2005 are currently
expected to be in line with analysts expectations and will be announced in early
September 2005.

Enquiries:

Jim Clarke                  Finance Director                01923 477777
Eddie Gershon               Company Spokesman               0208 352 5012/
                                                            07956 392234

Visit our web site at www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

JD WETHERSPOON PLC - Non-Smoking Pubs

New Openings                                Existing Conversions

George's Meeting House, Exeter              The Old Manor, Bracknell
Waterend Barn, St, Albans                   Pennsylvanian, Rickmansworth
Abraham Derby, Merry Hill Centre            The Back of Beyond, Reading
The Draper's Arms, Peterborough             Wetherspoons, Metrocentre, Gateshead
The Ivy Wall, Spalding                      The Welkin, Liverpool
Dockle Farmhouse, Swindon                   The King of Wessex, Bath
                                            Moon on the Square, Basildon
                                            The Pommeler's Rest, Tower Bridge
                                            The Sir John Oldcastle, Farringdon
                                            The Good Yarn, Uxbridge
                                            The West Gate Inn, Canterbury




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