Wetherspoons boss threatens to quit Trafford Centre in rent row

The outspoken boss of Wetherspoons has described Manchester’s Trafford Centre as the “epicentre of retail insanity” in an interview with a trade paper.

Tim Martin, who has spoken out on issues such as Brexit in the past, was speaking to the Morning Advertiser.

And he claimed that he was considering pulling out of the Trafford Centre because his pub – The Mardis Gras – is no longer profitable.

The pub was once the highest grossing outlet in the Wetherspoons stable but according to Mr Martin its takings have been badly hit by recent rent increases.

According to Mr Martin the rent for the pub has been increased to £415,000 – or about 20 per cent of sale.

He said: “If Wetherspoon can’t earn a buck here, it seems unlikely that the dozen or so nearby restauranters will thrive.

“Many restaurateurs and retailers now feel the icy blast, and would bail out of developments like the Trafford Centre, as would we, given half a chance.

Colin Flinn, intu Regional managing director, said: “Rent reviews are part of our standard business terms.

“We work hard to ensure these are fair and in line with market levels, and that they reflect the strength of intu Trafford Centre’s offer as one of the country’s most popular retail and leisure destinations.

“The revised rent was set by an independent expert surveyor and is comparable to the majority of our other food and beverage rent reviews which have been agreed with our tenants to ensure they are sustainable and enable them to be profitable.”