The plan comes at a cost of over £250 million over the five years, and will create around 10,000 new jobs. The new UK pubs will be added to Wetherspoons existing portfolio of 743 UK venues and will be located in areas including Liverpool, Otley, Leominster, Newcastle, Sheffield and Livingston.

The group recently announced record sales in the 12 months to July 2009.

Andy Bevan – who made the complaint, said ; “Normally Wetherspoon provides a good service at a good price, but I think they have tarnished their reputation today,”

In reply, a spokesman for JD Weatherspoon said ; “This is the first time that our prices have been increased at the pub for the Ebor Festival. A lot of our regular customers stay away during the festival, as our pubs are very busy with crowds of race-goers and visitors to the city.

“The price increases have been implemented — and are only in place for the four days of the festival — to cover the costs of extra door staff. Up to 10 extra door staff are required during the week of the festival, for the general volume of people.”