JD Wetherspoon, affectionately known as ‘Spoons’, is a cornerstone of British pub culture. With its affordable pints and legendary burger-and-drink combo, it’s a popular haunt for budget-conscious drinkers. However, few patrons know the intriguing story behind its distinctive name.
Tim Martin, the 69-year-old founder of the pub chain, named it after a geography teacher who doubted his potential in his school days in New Zealand. Wetherspoon was the surname of this pessimistic educator who predicted that Martin would never amount to anything.
Martin found inspiration in this negative assessment. Choosing the name Wetherspoon was a symbolic gesture, as if to say, ‘I’ll prove you wrong.’ The early negative press reviews that the pub chain received only fueled Martin’s determination to succeed.
Martin’s vision for his pubs was also influenced by George Orwell’s essay about an ideal pub, where patrons could engage in conversation over affordable drinks in a welcoming atmosphere. Martin embraced this concept, even naming several Wetherspoons pubs ‘The Moon Under Water’ after Orwell’s essay.
Today, the ‘JD’ in the Wetherspoons name is less whimsical, borrowed from the notorious sheriff JD ‘Boss’ Hogg from the classic American television show The Dukes of Hazzard. With over 800 locations across the UK, Wetherspoons continues to evolve, such as the recent return of the popular Brunch Burger on selected dates this summer.