Wetherspoon 'optimistic' about opening new pubs despite €36m loss      

The boss of British pubs group Wetherspoon, which is expanding into Ireland, said it's still "optimistic" about opening new outlets despite deepening losses amid the cost-of-living crisis. Its shares closed almost 8% lower. 

Chairman Tim Martin said the company was sticking to its long-held policy of heavy investment "in the workforce, in buildings, in marketing, and in contracts with landlords and suppliers" despite the huge rise in inflation.