Second Wetherspoon’s to open in Belfast
The JD Wetherspoon pub chain is understood to be planning to open a second of its bars in Belfast city centre.
The company already has an outlet at The Bridge House in Bedford Street, but the Belfast Telegraph reported recently that it was planning to open its doors closer to the city centre at a former JJB Sport store near CastleCourt.
This would be the 10th JD Wetherspoon pub to open in Northern Ireland. Last month, it opened its first outlet south of the border – The Three Tun Tavern at Blackrock in Dublin.
The company has not confirmed its plans for a second Belfast bar but is known to be keen to expand its portfolio generally in Northern Ireland.
Speaking to LCN recently, John Martin, a hospitality specialist with property agents, Osborne King, said that while the news that Wetherspoon was to open another bar would not be welcome by licensees in the area, the move would likely increase footfall into Belfast city centre:
“In my opinion, creating a different variety of pubs in an area can be of a benefit to all and the success of the Cathedral Quarter and Temple Bar in Dublin are prime examples,” he added. “The more people who are drawn to an area, the more chance you have of doing business.”
JD Wetherspoon was founded in 1979. Headquartered in Watford, it now has more than 900 outlets across the British Isles. A champion of cask ale, low prices and late opening hours, it has a policy of never playing music in its bars. It also owns 26 hotels across Great Britain.
