JD Wetherspoon's Tim Martin tells off Brexit "gloomsters"

JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin on Wednesday used a sales growth update to take another swipe at anti-Brexit commentators, and told “gloomsters” to “put a sock in it”.

The Eurosceptic chairman attacked recent requests for the government to hammer out a post-Brexit transitional arrangement this year, and said they “are unrealistic and increase pressure to agree unfavourable terms”.

He criticised commentary from some newspapers, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Confederation of British Industry.

“We’ll do well with or without a free trade deal, so stop tying the hands of our negotiators who are doing their best to achieve a respectable outcome,” said Martin.

He was more upbeat as he revealed sales at pubs open for more than a year increased 5.3% in the 11 weeks to July 9, helped by Britain’s recent heatwave.

Like-for-like sales for the 50 weeks to July 9 rose 3.9%.

The firm expects that like-for-like sales of about 3 to 4 % will be required to maintain profits at this year's levels in its next financial year.