Wetherspoon plans Dublin, Cork pubs

Britain’s JD Wetherspoon is set to open its first pubs in the Republic this year, with the aim of expanding to up to 30 sites in the longer term.

The firm, which yesterday reported an expected 6.3% rise in annual profit to £76.9m (€91.76m), has grown to over 880 pubs in Britain on the back of value promotions such as “curry club” and “beer and a burger” offers.

Wetherspoon chairman and founder Tim Martin said the improving performance of its nine pubs in the North had given it confidence to move to the Republic, adding that property prices were no longer so prohibitive.