Customers of the popular pub chain JD Wetherspoons have been left scratching their heads after encountering a bizarre pricing error on its app. The mistake meant that in some locations, a standard small glass of wine was being sold for a higher price than a large one.
The Gloucester Glitch
The oddity was spotted by a sharp-eyed punter at a Wetherspoons pub in Gloucester. A screenshot shared on Reddit revealed the confusing figures. It showed that a 250ml large glass of Coldwater Creek Merlot was priced at £2.99 as part of the chain's famed January sale. However, right beside it, the listing for a 175ml standard glass of the exact same wine was £3.10 – over 20p more for less wine.
The customer who posted the image joked about the mix-up, suggesting they had their "beer goggles on" and simply clicked their usual option. The post quickly drew attention to what many saw as a glaring and illogical error in the pub's pricing system.
Wetherspoons Responds to the Error
When approached for comment, a spokesperson for JD Wetherspoons confirmed the pricing blunder. They explained that the company had reduced the price of a large 250ml glass of wine to £2.99 for its annual January promotion, which also features 99p pints.
"Inadvertently, this has meant in a minority of pubs, that the cost of a 175ml standard glass of wine is more expensive," the spokesperson stated. They assured customers that the price would be adjusted to ensure the smaller measure is cheaper, rectifying the mistake.
The January Sale Context
The incident occurred against the backdrop of Wetherspoons' major post-Christmas sale, launched to attract customers in the quieter month of January. The sale, which began in early January 2026, offers significant discounts on a wide range of drinks, including house white, red, and rosé wines.
Speaking about the sale initiative, Wetherspoon’s founder and chairman, Tim Martin, said: "Department stores and shops hold their sales in January, so it is the perfect time to also have a sale in the pubs." He emphasised the wide variety of low-alcohol and non-alcoholic options available and expressed confidence that the offers would prove popular, with staff committed to serving responsibly.
While the wine pricing glitch caused temporary confusion and amusement online, the chain's swift acknowledgment and promise to fix it has likely reassured its customers that the legendary January sale bargains are still very much on the menu.
