Pub giant JD Wetherspoons has announced a landmark overseas expansion, confirming plans to open its very first European establishment. The new venue will be located at Alicante airport in Spain, just a two-and-a-half-hour flight from London.
A Taste of Home for British Travellers
The pub, to be named The Castell de Santa Bárbara, is scheduled to welcome its first customers by the end of January 2026. Strategically positioned in the departures area, it aims to offer British holidaymakers a final, familiar taste of home before they board their flight back to the UK.
Operating from 6am until 9pm daily, the new outlet will provide nearly 1,000 square feet of customer space on a single level. Patrons will also have access to an outdoor terrace with seating, perfect for the Spanish climate.
Menu Blends British Classics with Spanish Flavours
The menu will feature the classic 'Spoons fare that UK customers know and love, including full English breakfasts and burgers. However, in a nod to its location, the pub will also serve beloved regional specialities such as garlic prawns and Spanish tortilla.
This move represents the beginning of a significant international growth strategy for the pub chain. Wetherspoon founder and chairman, Sir Tim Martin, stated: "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."
A Launchpad for International Growth
Sir Tim further revealed that this is just the start, with ambitions to open more pubs abroad in the coming months and years, including at other airport locations. This expansion is part of a broader plan to open 30 new pubs in the current financial year, split evenly between 15 managed pubs and 15 franchises.
The choice of Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is a strategic one, given its growing popularity with British tourists seeking access to the Costa Blanca and hotspots like Benidorm.
The announcement comes as the group reports a 3.7% increase in like-for-like sales for the first 14 weeks of its financial year, up to November 2. However, Sir Tim noted the company remains slightly cautious about the future, mindful of the upcoming Chancellor's Budget statement.
