Strong demand sees J D Wetherspoon return to half-year profit

The pub group opened three new branches in Ireland last year, one in Waterford and two in Dublin

File photo dated 15/07/2015 of a JD Wetherspoon pub, which has said trading was "very quiet" over the weekend, before the Government tightened restrictions on larger social gatherings.

Pub group J D Wetherspoon returned to a half-year profit after maintaining strong customer demand despite a cost of living crisis.

The company reported a profit of £4.6m (€5.2m) for the six months ending on December 31st, compared with a loss of £21.3m (€24.1m) pounds a year ago.