JDW asks suppliers for payment moratorium

JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin has asked suppliers for a moratorium on payments until the business’ pub estate reopens to the public.

In a letter to the pub chain’s suppliers, seen by The Grocer, Martin said JDW intended to clear outstanding payments “within a short timeframe” when the coronavirus crisis ended.

“We understand this puts significant pressure on our suppliers but we’re asking for your assistance during this very difficult period. A number of our suppliers have already offered assistance and we would be most grateful for your co-operation as well.”

One industry source at a major drinks supplier called the move “absolutely shocking”.

“I don’t know any other pub company that’s doing this,” they said. “There is nothing like this from the likes of Mitchells & Butlers or Stonegate.

“Everyone is fighting to support workers. It completely jars with everything I’m seeing from our sector – there is loads of positivity and people coming together.”

It comes after Martin sent a video message to staff, advising they look for work in supermarkets as they would not be paid until the pub company is reimbursed by the government.

“We’ve got no money coming in through the tills, which is not something we’ve ever planned for,” Martin said.

‘If you’re offered a job at a supermarket, many of you will want to do that.”

It was met with outrage from many workers. Bakers, Food & Allied Workers Union president Ian Hodson said the message ignored ”the advice of the government to stand by your workers and instead abandoning them in their time of need”.

“They need to pay rent, buy food and because of the low wages he’s always paid them will not have savings to depend upon.”