By Alanah Khosla for Mailonline

Published: 03:26 EDT, March 22, 2024 | Updated: 03:39 EDT, March 22, 2024

WETHERSPOONS boss Tim Martin has doubled down on plans to distribute 1,000 spoons across the country after raking in record sales of almost £1 billion.

The pub boss said that after Covid restrictions disrupted trading, punters had rushed back to Spoons pubs.

2

2

“The after-work pint is back, even the lunchtime pint is back, although some people think that’s sacrilege.”

He added that liquor sales had been boosted by the comeback of real beer drinkers and younger alcoholics adopting Guinness.

He said sales of the Irish stout were “putting the lights out”.

Total turnover rose 8% to £991 million in the six months to January 28 and pre-tax profits have returned to £36 million, up from £4.6 million the year before.

In a further note of joy, Wetherspoons also said that recent sales had continued to rise by 5.8% over the past seven weeks.

The cost of living crisis and rising beer prices have made Spoons’ more attractive to cash-strapped punters, and Mr Martin has pledged not to increase the price of his £5.40 breakfast.

Mr Martin told LBC: “It won’t rise this year.”

Mr Martin said the broader prospects for price rises were looking easier.

“It’s easier for us. I hesitate to tempt fate, but if I can read the tea leaves, inflation is going down, so we will keep our prices as low as possible, and it’s getting easier to do that,” said he.

Mr Martin said that as the cost of ingredients and supply chains fell, Wetherspoons was spending £125m more than before the pandemic on staff costs as minimum wages have risen.

The pub chain currently has 814 pubs, but Mr Martin told The Sun that there were still 130 high streets in the country, such as Didcot in Oxfordshire, that did not have spoons and that he was determined to bring cheap pints and low-priced meals to them.

He also wants to add another 60 to 70 spoons in major city stations following recent openings such as Captain Flinders at Euston station and at the White Rose shopping center in Leeds.

In the past year, Wetherspoons opened a franchise pub at Newcastle University, where Martin said business has “more or less doubled” since taking over the Student Union.

“They can still get cheap pints, but they don’t sell as much food.

“They’re not as hip as Wetherspoons, we’re the world’s hippest chain.”

The ambition to open more pubs comes despite Wetherspoons reducing the number of pubs it has had in recent years by handing keys back to its own owners.

The company’s accounts show it made a £5.9m loss last year from selling five pubs and handing back the keys to three pubs.

Mr Martin also used the results to renew his call for the Government to reduce the VAT rate paid by pubs to the same level as supermarkets, which sell cheaper drinks, pay.

“It doesn’t make economic sense for the tax system to favor mainly out-of-town supermarkets over mainly pubs on the high streets,” he said.

“This imbalance is a major factor in the decline of the city center and high streets.”

Which Wetherspoons are closed?

Despite ambitions to open 200 pubs across Britain, Wetherspoons has also closed drinking establishments.

It is very common for pub chains or retailers to open and close locations to rebalance their portfolios and ensure they trade in areas where there is demand.

Wetherspoons has closed 44 pubs in locations across the UK in recent years.

Locations in London, Durham, Bournemouth and Southampton are closed.

The Sir Norman Rae in Market Street, Shipley, West Yorkshire, will call for final orders on March 24 after also finding a buyer.

It was one of 11 additional pubs that Wetherspoons put up for sale in September last year – a year after it initially put 32 pubs up for sale.

As many as twenty Wetherspoon’s pubs remain for sale, with fifteen locations currently on offer.

This means that a buyer has made an offer that is being considered by the seller.

This does not mean that the sale is guaranteed, and the sale may remain open if not completed.

The five pubs up for sale are:

• The Pontlottyn, Abertillery
• The Ivor Davies, Cardiff
• The Market Cross, Holywell
• Rochester Castle, London
• Foot of the walk, Edinburgh

There are currently 15 Wetherspoons locations on offer:

• Asparagus, Battersea, London
• Wrong one, Bexleyheath
• The Gatehouse, Doncaster
• Jolly Zeeman, Bristol
• The Mockbeggar Hall, Moreton
• The Alfred Herring, Palmers Green
• The cross keys, pebbles
• Mr Norman Rae, Shipley
• The White Heart, Todmorden
• Spa Lane Vaults, Chesterfield
• Lord Arthur Lee, Fareham
• The Regent, Kirkby in Ashfield
• The Sir Daniel Arms, Swindon
• The Hain Line, St Ives
• The Quay, Poole
• Thomas Drummond, Fleetwood

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing squeezeteam@thesun.co.uk.

Moreover, you can join us Sun Money chats and tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.

With Easter just around the corner, vets are urging owners to be wary of seemingly harmless household items that could be deadly to dogs.

David Hollinshead at VetsNow in Middlesbrough warns that owners should pay extra attention during celebrations such as Easter, when the risk of accidents is greatest.

“We see a large increase in pet emergencies during holidays and major events, and often this is due to pets eating things they shouldn’t, such as flowers or chocolates,” he said.

Some flowers can be extremely dangerous

One such flower to look out for is the popular spring flower, daffodils, which sources say are highly poisonous to dogs. Blue Cross.

According to the charity, the bulbs are the most dangerous part as this is where the toxins are concentrated, but owners are warned against consuming any part of the flower, including drinking the water from a vase of daffodils.

Symptoms of daffodil poisoning include illness and an upset stomach. If your dog is sleepy and wobbly, these are also telltale signs of daffodil poisoning that you should look out for.

The charity recommends marking out flower spots in the garden and keeping an eye out for daffodils growing in walking areas.

Similarly, a number of other spring flowers, including tulips, buttercups and bluebells, can be fatal. Consuming any part of the plant, especially the bulb, can make dogs sick, and symptoms of stomach upset are often signs of flower poisoning.

Tulips can also cause drooling, nausea and diarrhea, breathing problems and heart palpitations.

Bluebells are one of the most dangerous spring flowering plants and, if consumed in large quantities, can have fatal consequences. The Blue Cross charity is warning owners to be careful when walking through woodland areas where clusters of bluebells can often be found.

Toxic foods to avoid

While preparing the Easter meal can be stressful, it’s vital that owners are also wary of what’s within reach while cooking, pet food company Purina advises. An expensive vet bill will undoubtedly be much more stressful than burnt potatoes.

Pet owners should avoid feeding dogs anything containing sultanas or sultanas, according to Purina, which definitely means hot cruss buns.

Garlic, onions and leeks can also be very dangerous for dogs to consume, with the average vet bill for impending onion poisoning being £339, according to data taken from pet insurance claims.

ManyPets veterinarian Dr. Kirsten Ronngren says this is because onions contain disulfides that can destroy a dog’s red blood cells, leading to a condition called hemolytic anemia.

“Treatment for onion toxicity depends on the size of the pet and how much it has consumed,” she said.

‘In more severe cases, the toxic dose may have been reached, requiring a pet to be treated for anemia.’

Hot cross buns also have the power to result in a hefty vet bill for dog owners. This is because both sultanas and sultanas are poisonous to dogs. It is thought that the tartaric acid in grapes causes the poisoning. Signs of an upset stomach, drooling and loss of appetite are all symptoms of poisoning.

Nutmeg, another common ingredient in hot cross buns, can also be potentially dangerous due to the hallucinogenic toxin myristicin.

Although it is marketed as a healthy alternative, manufacturers tend to put Xylitol, an artificial sweetener, in our food, causing a spike in insulin that can even be fatal for dogs.

Although symptoms often disappear within an hour, the risk of liver failure increases if a lot of Xylitol has been consumed.

Make sure you throw away all chocolate wrappers

While most of us know not to give dogs chocolate, Easter egg packaging can also be harmful to dogs.

Foil packaging can not only pose a choking hazard, but can also lead to a dangerous intestinal obstruction, causing abdominal pain and vomiting.

If you’re trying to make healthier choices for yourself this year, beware that the sweeter one, Xylitol, can be dangerous to dogs.

If you must give them a treat, stick to vegetables

Owners should not only be mindful of what is within the reach of greedy pups, but also be careful about what they feed as leftovers.

Research from Welsh company Burns Pet Nutrition has found that a third of owners overfeed their dogs, with 45 percent even sharing cheese with their dogs.

But founder of vet Burns Pet Nutrition, John Burns MBE, is urging owners to think twice about overfeeding.

‘Dogs don’t necessarily need tasty snacks, only we owners like to give them!’

Don’t let those big puppy eyes pressure you,” he said.

Burns recommends not feeding dogs leftovers and suggests using steamed vegetables if absolutely necessary.

CHOCOLATE fans are being hit this year by shrinking sizes and rising prices when picking up their Easter treats.

Several popular Easter eggs from brands such as Maltesers, Lindt and Cadbury now cost at least 50% more than a year ago.

1

The overall price of chocolate has risen by 12.6% in a year, compared to a 5.6% increase for food and drink in supermarkets generally. Which? has found.

It comes after dry weather in West Africa led to a spike in global cocoa prices.

In the steepest example of inflation: Which? found that a 286g Maltesers Truffles Luxury Easter Egg at Waitrose rose from £8 to £13 in the month to the end of February, compared to the same time a year ago – an increase of 62.5%.

At Asda, a five-pack of 50g Lindt Gold Bunny Milk Chocolate rose from an average of £2 to £3.11 – an increase of 55.6%.

At Tesco, the price of a 250g Ferrero Rocher Golden Easter Egg rose on average from £10 to £15 – an increase of 50%.

Which? also found that at Ocado a 1kg Cadbury Mini Eggs Large Pouch cost an average of £8.86 last February but is now £12.95 this year, an increase of 46.2%.

At Sainsbury’s, the price of a Kinder Easter with Surprise 36g rose from an average of £1.50 to £2, or an increase of 33.3%.

All prices were averages in the one month to the end of February 2023, compared to the same period this year.

However, it is important to note that loyalty card or multibuy prices are not included in the Which? analysis.

As well as price increases, the consumer champion also found examples of “shrinkflation” with a large Mars milk chocolate Easter egg falling from 252 grams last year to 201 grams in February at Morrisons and Tesco.

Similarly, a Terry’s chocolate orange Easter egg and mini eggs shrank from 230 grams last year to 200 grams this year at Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, while a Smarties chocolate orange egg fell from 226 grams to 188 grams at Asda and Tesco.

While shoppers may think that downsizing is a sneaky tactic, there are no rules against it as long as the package is labeled with the correct size, weight and ingredients.

Which? retail editor Ele Clark said: “Easter eggs are a non-negotiable highlight of spring for many of us, but which ones? has discovered that paying for your chocolate haul will be trickier this year.

“To ensure you get the best value for your Easter chocolate, shop around and compare price per gram across different pack sizes, retailers and brands.”

All supermarkets and manufacturers of Mars, Smarties, Terrys and Twix have been contacted for comment.

Waitrose said: “We work incredibly hard to keep prices low and also have a wide range of special offers to help customers save even more.”

It added that eggs in the tracker are now actually cheaper – with Maltesers egg setters getting £8.50 back instead of £13.

A spokesperson for Mars Wrigley UK, which makes Mars, Maltesers and Twix, said the price increases are due to rising costs of raw materials and operations.

They added: “Reducing the size of some of our products and increasing prices is not a decision we have made lightly, but it is necessary for shoppers to still be able to enjoy their favorite Easter eggs without to make concessions on quality or taste.”

While Nestle, maker of Smarties, said: “Like any manufacturer, we have experienced significant cost increases, making our products much more expensive to manufacture.

“We have been working to be more efficient and absorb rising costs where possible.

“However, to maintain the same high quality and delicious taste that consumers know and love, it has sometimes been necessary to adjust the weight of some of our products.”

KOBBIE MAINOO says his aim is to break into England’s European Championship squad after a ‘whirlwind’ rise in Gareth Southgate’s senior squad.

The 18-year-old Manchester United midfielder is in with a chance of making a Wembley debut against Brazil on Saturday or against Belgium next Tuesday – after just 23 appearances for his club.

4

And Mainoo said: “That is the end goal of the season, to get into that (Euro) selection.

“I have to concentrate on club football in the meantime and hopefully that will work itself out.

“Hopefully we have a good training camp and get two wins and hopefully I get my first cap.

“There is a lot of time between now and Germany. If I go back to my club and perform well and do what I need to do, then hopefully it will all align.

“It would be an honor to make the plane.”

Mainoo was called up to the England Under-21s for the first time last week, but the Stockport-born teenager impressed during United’s epic 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool and was quickly moved up to the senior Three Lions party.

And Mainoo said: “It’s been a pretty crazy few days. Sunday was a great game and a great win. When I got called up to the Under-21s it was great to get here and realize I was in the first team.

“I was shocked and happy and it was a whirlwind of emotions.

BEST SIGN UP OFFERS FOR FREE BETTS FOR UK BOOKMAKER

“Gareth was very good, very welcoming, made me feel comfortable here and told me what my role would be if I played.”

Mainoo has represented England at youth level but is still eligible to play for Ghana.

And he said: “I am proud of my Ghanaian heritage, both my parents are from there.

But it’s a great opportunity to be with England and I’m enjoying it.”

Mainoo was already a United fan in his youth, but also names Brazilian legend Ronaldinho as his favorite player.

When asked to name his heroes, Mainoo replied: “I would say Wayne Rooney. Paul Scholes too. And King Eric (Cantona). He was a little before my time, but I still appreciate him.

“And Ronaldinho played with a smile on his face, and he played freely.

“I think everyone loves Ronaldinho. How can you not? I mean, he was a great player.”

“Brazil is such an iconic team and it would be great to play against them.”

4

4

4

A high-flying Sydney real estate agent who accidentally set fire to a $3.2 million home while preparing for an open house owns two coastal properties herself.

Northern Beaches real estate agent Julie Bundock accidentally set the Avalon Beach home on fire in 2019 after noticing the current tenants had left some bedding on the deck to dry.

She threw the sheets on a shelf in a downstairs room and then turned on a light placed above the shelf, news.com.au reported.

Twenty minutes later a fire broke out and destroyed the entire house. It is believed that the light heated the bedding until it ignited.

Ms Bundock, who no longer works for Domain Residential Northern Beaches, has an extensive property portfolio on Sydney’s North Shore, Daily Mail Australia can reveal.

She owns a two-bedroom Queenscliff unit with panoramic views of the nearby beach.

She bought the clifftop property in 2004 for just $785,000 and now rents the apartment on vacation rental website Stayz for $695 per night.

‘A very private and peaceful area, the highest point of the hill. Enjoy the sounds of the waves and enjoy the sunrises over the ocean and beautiful sunsets over the hills,” she describes on the property listing.

‘Luxuriously furnished with designer finishes, recently renovated with luxurious carpets and an open plan living area leading through sliding glass doors to an extensive wrap-around balcony.

‘Designer kitchen and bathroom, king size main area, very comfortable second, views and built-ins in both. Sep toilet with sink. Study room, unlimited WiFi, washer-dryer combination, closed garage with automatic door.’

She also owns a nearby property in Dee Why, which she bought in 2007 for $290,000.

Ms. Bundock is no stranger to luxurious living. On social media she shares photos of holidays to Vincentia in Jervis Bay and lavish trips to the snow.

On Tuesday, Avalon owner Peter Bush filed a complaint in court, along with the four tenants who lost everything in the 2019 fire.

Mr Bush told the court that Mrs Bundock said words to the effect of: ‘Oh my God Pete, I think I burned down your house’, and she did so in front of others.

‘I was doing some cleaning up. “I gathered some sheets that were drying on the porch and threw them on a free-standing metal shelf in the bedroom under the stairs,” Ms. Bundock reportedly told Mr. Bush.

‘I just threw them there, Piet, right against the light on the wall. I think that’s what started the fire.”

Chief Judge David Hammerschlag ruled on Tuesday that Ms Bundock ‘actively created the risk of fire and resulting damage’.

‘It is obvious that a fire can start if you put or throw bed linen against a burning light. That risk was clearly foreseeable, and Bundock should have known,” Hammerschlag said in his decision, also noting that the officer was an “aggressive and uncooperative witness.”

“Her evidence was clearly colored by a heightened sense that she had caused the catastrophe,” he said.

He ordered Ms Bundock’s employer, Domain Residential Northern Beaches, to pay Mr Bush $740,642 for the loss of his home and a total of $121,475 to the four tenants.

Mr. Hammerschlag also ordered the agency to pay interest on the combined $862,315, from the time of the fire in May 2019.

By Zeenia Naqvee

Published: 04:20 EDT, March 19, 2024 | Updated: 04:30 EDT, March 19, 2024

THREE clubs are ready to fight for Ivan Toney as the player plans an exit for Brentford.

A disastrous run of form has left the Bees just five points above the relegation zone.

1

With Brentford perilously close to the bottom three, three sides are vying to get into pole position to land the striker this summer.

SunSport understands that Tottenham, Chelsea and West Ham have all expressed interest in signing the 28-year-old.

It comes after Arsenal, who were previously linked with Toney, cooled their interest.

As for Chelsea, the West Londoners know they have to sell before they can buy or risk breaking profit and sustainability rules.

Our source said: “If Brentford drop out of the Premier League, which now seems a real possibility, there will be a race to sign Ivan Toney.

“That’s why some clubs are already taking steps to try to get into pole position and sign the player.”

“It is understood that Chelsea and Spurs both need a number nine and Toney would suit both clubs, but West Ham are now also interested.

“The club believes Toney can be a real statement signer and take the team to the next level.

“West Ham are crying out for a striker who can help turn a good side into one that can really challenge for the Champions League.

“Arsenal are less interested now. Mikel Arteta has a system and a way of playing and he doesn’t think a conventional number nine like Ivan Toney is what they need.”

SunSport can also reveal that Toney is ‘open-minded’ about remaining in the capital after making it clear to his advisers that he does not want to leave the Premier League.

Our source added: “Clubs in Italy and Spain have been following Toney for ages. He is one of the most sought after players in Europe.

“But Ivan is not really interested in moving abroad. He sees his future in the Premier League.

“His priority is to score the goals that save Brentford and cement his way into the England squad.

“But after that there is a general acceptance that he will move on and start at a new club in the Premier League next season.

“It will be a new start and, at the age of 28, the biggest step of his career.”

KFC has launched a new lunchtime meal deal that rivals the likes of Greggs and Dominos.

The fast food giant has promised to introduce a new eatery that won’t break the bank.

2

2

For those who secretly crave fried chicken during office or school hours, KFC has launched its first-ever lunch-only meal deal.

For just €5.49, fried chicken lovers can get a full meal, including main course, drink and chips.

Customers can choose between a Kentucky Mayo Twister Wrap or a Filet Burger for their main course.

They can also choose between a pack of Walkers MAX crisps or a delicious Milk Chocolate Chip Cookie.

For drinks, fast food lovers can get a carbonated drink or a bottle of water.

The epic lunch offer is available every day from Monday to Friday until 3pm in any branch, drive-thru or via their click and collect service.

It comes as a man claimed to have found a “leaked” copy of the 11 ingredients that make up KFC’s secret chicken seasoning.

He posted a photo of the handwritten list Redditwriting next to it: “The real list of KFC’s ’11 herbs and spices’, leaked by Colonel Sanders’ own cousin in 2016.

Elsewhere, KFC confirmed the closure of its Linthorpe Road restaurant in Middlesbrough.

The chain has been operating from the building on Linthorpe Road since 2015.

KFC has also announced it is closing one of its branches in Glasgow.

Meanwhile, fans of a Canadian fast food chain say it is “better than KFC” and is about to open its first restaurants in Britain.

Mary Brown’s (MB) Chicken, which has more than 300 stores across Canada, plans to open its first store in Britain within days.

How can I save money at KFC?

If you’re looking for KFC freebies, the fast-food chain is offering a six-piece chicken bucket to customers using its app for the first time.

Plus, you can sign up for KFC’s Rewards Arcade, which gives customers the chance to win a number of prizes.

All you have to do is download the app and click the “KFC Rewards” button at the bottom of the screen.

You then use the app to order or you can get a QR code on the app that you have to swipe at the checkout.

You will then receive an invitation to the KFC Rewards Arcade, where you can play a game and win free food.

But you need to spend at least £3 to be in with a chance of winning a free gift.

You should always look out for offers wherever possible.

The twister wrap of the day is definitely worth it if you fancy a quick snack during lunch or after work and aren’t too concerned about the taste.