Wetherspoons considers Waterford opening

Pub giant JD Wetherspoon has said it may open an outlet in Waterford by the end of this year following its recent acquisition of two prominent city centre sites, with 40 jobs linked to the move.

Waterford City is one of five locations earmarked for an opening by the British chain for the Republic of Ireland in the short term, while it plans to open about 30 pubs here in the next five years, with an investment of €50m.

JD Wetherspoon, which runs more than 900 pubs across the UK, last week bought the former Evans clothing store and former TSB premises, adjoining properties in Broad St and Arundel Square in the middle of Waterford city. It is now expected to apply for planning permission to the for a €2 m pub development across the two buildings.