Shares in JD Wetherspoon took a dive yesterday after it warned that full-year profits would be hit by its preparations for the smoking ban in England. The Independent


The pub operator said increased costs incurred from improvements made ahead of the ban and the closure of all of its pubs for the installation of new beer and wine chilling systems will mean profits will be around 5% lower than the £66m-£67m expected. Shares fell 6% to 670p.

Of Wetherspoon's 673 pubs, 153 are already no-smoking, and says it is well-placed 'to maximise the benefit from non-smoking legislation', having invested in its kitchens and improving its food facilities to attract more customers to eat.

Wetherspoon added that its 39 Scottish pubs continue to trade well, one year after the ban. Like-for-like sales increased 3.4% in the third quarter.