Wetherspoon boss denies Brexit-linked recruitment crisis

The Belfast-born boss of pub chain JD Wetherspoon has denied claims his bars are facing staff shortages due to Brexit.

Tim Martin had been quoted by the Daily Telegraph saying he favoured a more “liberal” visa scheme for EU workers to cover UK shortfalls.

However, the vocal Brexit supporter told the BBC he always backed  an Australian style system which treated near neighbours preferentially.

Martin, founder and executive chairman of the group, said that he told the Telegraph’s reporter the pub giant is in a “reasonably good position” regarding hiring new staff.

However, he added: “Recruitment is more challenging in some seaside towns – but that’s no different to what we experience in any year”.

Many hospitality businesses have struggled during the pandemic despite extensive government support, and firms are reportedly now struggling to replace workers who have left the industry due to concerns over its future or to return to the jobs they were doing before lockdown.

The Telegraph quoted Mr Martin as saying: “The UK has a low birth rate. A reasonably liberal immigration system controlled by those we have elected, as distinct from the EU system, would be a plus for the economy and the country,” he told the paper.

“America, Australia and Singapore have benefited for many decades from this approach. Immigration combined with democracy works.”

The Wetherspoon chain currently operates four venues in Northern Ireland and recently identifies properties in Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford as part of an expansion plan.

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