Fake hotel bookings send tourists to Wetherspoon pub, staff turn away up to 20 guests daily

According to consumer‑rights organisation Which?, a rising fraud operation is directing unsuspecting travelers to a Wetherspoon public house rather than a hotel, forcing the venue to deny entry to as many as twenty people each day.

The deception seems to stem from online reservation services that advertise a non‑existent lodging using the pub’s address. Visitors receive confirmation emails that appear authentic, only to arrive expecting a room and instead encounter a busy bar with no accommodation, leading to confusion and disappointment.

Staff at the Wetherspoon site say the situation has become a routine hassle. \"We keep getting people at the door asking for a key or a room, and we have to explain that we are a pub, not a hotel,\" one employee told Which?. To lessen the pressure on the establishment and safeguard other patrons, they have begun refusing entry to groups that seem to be seeking lodging.

Which? has flagged the trend in a recent warning, pointing out that the misuse of the chain’s address appears across several fraudulent listings. The group advises travelers to verify the precise address of any lodging, confirm that the property maintains its own website or phone number, and book through reputable sites that provide secure payment options.

Scams involving online bookings have surged in recent years, driven by the simplicity of creating bogus listings and the strong demand for inexpensive stays. Authorities are calling on platforms to strengthen verification and urging consumers to stay alert. Meanwhile, the Wetherspoon pub hopes the exposure will discourage fraudsters and allow normal service to resume for its regular customers.