Wetherspoon eyes expansion of Irish pub portfolio

By Emily Hawkins

- Last updated on GMT

Irish growth: JD Wetherspoon will continue to look for new sites in the Republic of Ireland (image:Ian S, Geograph)
Irish growth: JD Wetherspoon will continue to look for new sites in the Republic of Ireland (image:Ian S, Geograph)
JD Wetherspoon says it is considering more new sites in Ireland to add to its pub portfolio after the success of its existing pubs.

The pub giant​ currently operates five pubs in the country and is working to open three new sites.

Chairman Tim Martin said the company would continue to look for venues.

"We have enjoyed great success with our existing five pubs in the Republic of Ireland, and are pleased that we now have three new sites in development," Martin said.

"We will continue to look for other sites."

Martin has said previously that the pubco takes pride in restoring and re-purposing historic buildings.

Big investments

The company made its largest single investment of €18.5m (£16.4m) into the development of a pub and 92-room hotel in Dublin.

Keavan’s Port Hotel, named after the area’s former name, will open on Camden Street (pictured) next summer.

Some €4m (£3.5m) has been invested in the development of a new site in Dublin’s centre across two 19th-century sites.

The Silver Penny will open in spring 2019 and be situated across a former Baptist church and bank building on Lower Abbey Street.

Up to 10 sites

Work is also underway to open a site called the Tullow Gate in the county town of Carlow, after an investment of just over €3m (£2.6m).

There are plans to open between five and 10 new sites in the next financial year, Martin revealed in a trading update​.

The news follows the pubco reporting a 5% increase in like-for-like sales​ in its annual financial report earlier this year.

  • Interested in running a pub? You can find out more about pubs for sale, lease and tenancy on the MA’s​ property site​.

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