JD Wetherspoon benefits from Jubilee and Euro 2012 sales boost The group, which owns more than 850 pubs, said like-for-like sales in the 11 weeks to July 8 were up 6.1pc, as Britons chose to watch events such as the Jubilee pageant and the Euro 2012 football tournament at their local pub. More than two-fifths of the group's revenue goes straight out of the pub door and into the Government's coffers through excise duty, business rates and carbon tax. Wetherspoon has opened 40 pubs this year, 10 fewer than originally planned as a result of tougher trading conditions and the UK's harsh tax regime. It has also scaled back expansion plans for next year to 20-30 pubs. Profit margins at the chain have been squeezed as it has tried to protect customers from the rise in costs. Wetherspoon said margins for the second half are expected to be about 8.5pc compared to 9.3pc in the previous six months. Beer duty was increased in the Budget by a further 5pc. According to the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), beer duty has jumped 40pc in four years. Camra blames the Government for exacerbating the decline of the traditional community pub. Across Britain, 12 pubs are closing every week.