Pub group JD Wetherspoon has put its long-term Irish expansion and investment plans on hold due to COVID-19-related business restrictions.
Talking to The Irish Examiner, the pub group's chairman, Tim Martin, said, "Everything is in abeyance until we find out what is going to happen in the UK and Ireland. At this stage, we’re taking stock as the rules are changing every day."
Irish Plans
Wetherspoon has a long-term plan to operate approximately 30 venues in Ireland. At present, the pub group has seven venues in Ireland, with a small number of new venues in various stages of development, including two in Dublin.
Wetherspoon said last month that it is also considering opening bars in Irish airports as part of its long-term expansion plans for Ireland.
Camden Street Venue Opening Still Proceeding
Despite the pub group's long-term Irish expansion and investment plans being put on hold, Wetherspoon is still planning to open its nearly complete €21 million pub and hotel project on Dublin's Camden Street in November, if COVID-19-related restrictions allow it to do so.
© 2020 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
