Pub group JD Wetherspoon pins hopes on Dublin planning decisions

British pub group JD Wetherspoon is viewing the development of its two unopened Dublin sites as priorities regarding its Irish growth plans.

The group’s boss, Tim Martin, said two months ago that “volatile” commercial property prices had effectively put the brakes on Wetherspoon’s Irish growth plans.

He said the aim of growing its Irish pub portfolio to around 30 outlets will take longer than expected, while progress is slowing regarding new site acquisitions.