Wetherspoons enjoy Indian Summer

Pub chain JD Wetherspoon have announced ambitious plans to expand eastwards into the Indian sub-continent, following the successful opening of the companies first outlet in Agra, North India.

Taj Mahal: Latest JDW outlet

Opened last week, the Taj Mahal, situated in a former most-beautiful-palace-in-the-world, was converted at a cost of £1.3 million, and features three seperate bars with drinking areas on several levels.

Largest

The outlet is one of the largest in the 550-strong Wetherspoon chain, and offers a wide range of real ales, wines and lassis at competitive prices. The full Wethermenu is available throughout the day, with a special 'Curry Club' promotion on Thursday nights.

An adjoining Wetherlodge hotel will also be open by the end of the year, offering reasonably-priced accomodation, and conference facilities.

It brings the number of Wetherspoon pubs in the region to four, following the Red Fort in New Delhi, the Mother Theresa in Calcutta, and the Moon under Water in Bombay.

Martin: Ambitious

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'We see the Asian market as a major area for expansion', JDW supremo Tim Martin told us, 'and we intend to open ten to fifteen new outlets every year for the foreseeable future.'

But some say that the companies' agressive marketing and low prices are in danger of killing off the competition.

'It may be good for Wetherspoonses and their Wethershareholders, but not for the other players in this retail sector', said a spokesperson for regional brewers Carling-Carlsberg-Tetley-Bass-Walker, 'The Delhi Rat & Parrot closed less than a month after Wetherspoons opened next door. What does that tell you?'

New Wetherspoon outlets set to open next month include:

• The House of Horror - Cromwell Street, Gloucester (September 9)
• The Norman Schwartzkopfssch - Baghdad (September 16)
• Lloyds No. 1 - Plymouth (September 16)
• The Neil Armstrong - Sea of Tranquility, The Moon (September 23)