Greene King and another major British pub group are looking to following JD Wetherspoon by entering the Irish pub market, according to the Irish Times.
According to the newspaper, agents for Greene King have recently approached owners of a number of large suburban pubs in Dublin asking if they would be interested in selling. The company reportedly wants suburban sites with large car parks, particularly in working-class areas.
Charlie Chawke, owner of a number of pubs in the south of the city, is quoted saying: “I was approached, but I am just not interested in selling,”
The newspaper pointed to “industry sources” saying that a third British pub chain has appointed advisers to represent it in Ireland.
Last month Wetherspoons confirmed that it’s looking to spend €1m buying the freehold of the Tonic pub in Blackrock, Dublin.
Company chairman Tim Martin said: “We have made a few offers on sites in the Republic of Ireland. Nothing has been signed or sealed. We believe there is an opportunity to do well there.”
