British pub chain JD Wetherspoon is to open its first bar outside of Dublin with a new premises in Cork opening next week, the group confirmed on Tuesday.
The Linen Weaver, which has been built on the site of the former Newport Cafe, Bar and Restaurant on Paul Street Plaza, officially opens on Tuesday next following a €3.65 million refurbishment.
As many as 75 new jobs are to be created at the bar, which will be managed by Louis Scott. The pub, which is on three floors, includes two bars.
“Myself and my team are looking forward to welcoming customers into the pub and we are confident that it will be a great addition to the Cork community,” said Mr Scott.
JD Wetherspoon currently runs four pubs in the Republic of Ireland; The Three Tun Tavern in Blackrock, The Forty Foot in Dun Laoghaire, The Great Wood in Blanchardstown, and The Old Borough in Swords.
The company has acquired a number of other properties in the Republic including a former homeless hostel on Camden Street in Dublin. The group is to invest more than €4 million developing a new pub and hotel at Camden Hall.
JD Wetherspoon, which plans to open 30 bars across Ireland over the next five years, was founded in 1979. It operates more than 900 bars across Britain.
Earlier this year, JD Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin told the Irish Times that the chain's Dublin bars were performing "in line with, if not better than expectations."
