Tributes paid to former Wetherspoon’s and Pubwatch stalwart

JD Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin has paid tribute to the company’s former director of licensing, David Isaac, who has passed away.

Isaac, who was also an active member of National Pubwatch, died last month after a short illness.

He worked as Wetherspoon’s director of licensing between 1992 and 2005 and was responsible for securing hundreds of licences for the country.

Martin said: “David was instrumental in Wetherspoon gaining more than 200 licences for new pubs at a time when other brewers and pub companies continually opposed our licences and as a result he played a vital part in the company’s success.

“He will be sorely missed and we extend our sympathies to his family and friends.”

A spokesman for Pubwatch said: “David gave many years service to the National Pubwatch Committee where his legal training and experience of the pub trade proved to be an invaluable asset. He was a caring and supportive man who was always willing to do his best for others. He is a great loss to the Pubwatch movement.”