Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin has said that he might open in the region of 30 more pubs across Ireland.
Speaking with The Sunday Business Post, Martin said, "If things go well here, we might have 20 or 30 pubs here in ten or 15 years."
The UK-based pub chain, which operates more than 900 pubs in Britain and Ireland, reported a higher annual pre-tax profit last week.
In its latest financial report, the group said that its pre-tax profit before exceptional items rose to in the region of €107.5 million (£95.4 million) for the year ended on July 28 from €100.3 miilion (£89 million) a year earlier.
Dublin Portfolio Expansion
The UK publican said that he would also like to add to his current portfolio of Dublin pubs.
"We'd like a half a dozen more pubs in Dublin if someone wants to sell them at a knockdown price," Martin said.
Regional Bars
Earlier this year, Wetherspoon opened The Tullow Gate in Carlow and it announced its plans in December 2016 to open a three-floor pub in Waterford City.
According to The Sunday Business Post, the group is spending €2.5 million on the Waterford's "Broad Street" pub.
Wetherspoon has reportedly acquired the former Carbon night-club in Galway for a similar price.
"And if Carlow and Waterford go well," Martin said, "that will give us scope to look around the country and look at smaller towns."
The group also runs The Linen Weaver in Cork city.
Accommodation Plans
In June of 2017, the group was granted permission to open a "super bar" and hotel on Camden Street in the heart of the capital, in a €4 million investment.
Demise of Smaller Pubs
Last week, it was announced that The Bernard Shaw is set to close down.
The owners said on social media that, over the last few months, they tried to renew the lease, stay on longer or buy the place.
Speaking to The Sunday Business Post about the closure of the well-known pub, Martin said, "A tremendous number of pubs closed down in Ireland in the decades before we ever opened our first pub.
"I don't think we threaten other pubs. Hopefully we add to the rich tapestry and don't take away from it."
© 2019 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
