Wetherspoons put Belfast buildings earmarked for bars up for sale

Plans for two new JD Wetherspoon pubs in Belfast look to be off the menu, with the buildings they purchased for them now back on the market.

The pub chain, which owns more than 900 bars, had bought a former Methodist Church in the university area and a property which housed a branch of JJB Sports on Royal Avenue, with plans to open bars in both.

Both properties had previously been granted planning permission for pubs, with the firm’s founder Tim Martin saying he was keen to get them opened as soon as possible.

The former Methodist Church on University Road is for sale with commercial property firm Lambert Smith Hampton for offers in excess of £750,000, while the asking price for the Royal Avenue property is £850,000.

In January  it was reported the chain had agreed a deal to purchase The Eglantine Inn, a popular student bar on the Malone Road.

The venue was put on the market by Wine Inns Limited two years ago and was listed at £1.4m.

Wine Inns also owns the also Cutters Wharf Bar and Restaurant, The Belfast Empire, Alibi nightclub, The Doyen, The Chelsea and The Four Winds.

Wetherspoon’s already owns the Central Bar in Carrickfergus, the Bridge House in Belfast and the Spirit Merchant in Newtownards.

JD Wetherspoon has been contacted for comment.