JD Wetherspoon PLC on Wednesday hailed its ‘highest-ever’ sales in the Easter period.

The Watford, Hertfordshire-based pub and hotel chain said like-for-like-sales in the 13-weeks to April 30 rose 12% from a year ago and were 9.1% higher than in the same period in the last full financial year before the pandemic.

Wetherspoon noted that the first weekend of May ‘was exceptionally strong’ over the bank holiday, though the second weekend including the May 8 Coronation bank holiday was slightly weaker.

‘Sales in the last quarter have continued their positive momentum, although inflation, especially in labour, energy and food costs, remains a more intractable issue,’ said Chair Tim Martin.

Looking ahead, the company anticipates profit in the current financial year ending July 31 be towards the top of market expectations.

JD Wetherspoon shares rose 6.9% to 795.50 pence each on Wednesday morning in London, the best FTSE 250 performer.

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