Scam hotel reservations divert tourists to Wetherspoon pub, staff refuse up to 20 guests a day

A growing fraud scheme is sending unsuspecting travellers to a Wetherspoon pub instead of a hotel, leaving the establishment to turn away as many as twenty visitors each day, according to consumer‑rights group Which?.

The scam appears to involve online booking platforms that list a non‑existent accommodation using the pub's address. Tourists receive confirmation emails that look legitimate, only to arrive at the pub expecting a room. Instead, they find a bustling bar with no lodging facilities, prompting confusion and disappointment.

Employees at the Wetherspoon location say the influx has become a regular inconvenience. "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 staff member told Which?. The staff have started refusing entry to groups that appear to be looking for accommodation, hoping to reduce the strain on the venue and protect other customers.

Which? has highlighted the pattern in a recent alert, noting that the misuse of the chain's address has been traced to multiple fraudulent listings. The consumer group advises travellers to double‑check the exact address of any accommodation, verify that the property has a dedicated website or phone line, and use reputable booking sites that offer secure payment methods.

Online booking scams have risen sharply in recent years, fueled by the ease of creating false listings and the high demand for cheap stays. Authorities are urging platforms to tighten verification processes and for consumers to remain vigilant. In the meantime, the Wetherspoon pub hopes the publicity will deter scammers and restore normal operations for its regular patrons.