Pub chain targets two towns (From Western Telegraph)

Pub chain targets two towns

Two more Pembrokeshire towns are being targeted by the UK pub chain J. D. Wetherspoon in its bid to get a foothold in the county.

Wetherspoon has already courted controversy over its proposals to purchase Haverfordwest's historic Shire Hall and obtain a pub licence for the building.

And the company is now looking for properties in Tenby and Milford Haven to boost its total of 650 pubs.

A Wetherspoon spokesman told the Western Telegraph: "Tenby and Milford Haven are both towns where we would like to open pubs."

The company plans to look at 'specific buildings' in the two towns, he added, but could not identify which were a possibility.

However one strong contender in Tenby is the town's former 'civic centre' - the Guildhall, which used to house Tenby magistrates court and the adjoining Glendower House.

Pembrokeshire County Council is planning to sell the buildings by sealed tender.

J. D. Wetherspoon had also been showing interest in the former Commodore Hotel in Pembroke Dock, the spokesman revealed.

Pembrokeshire County Council has just agreed to acquire the property under compulsory purchase as part of the regeneration of the Dockyard.

Rumours that Wetherspoon has shown interest in the former Narberth Museum building in Market Square, and are the buyers behind the sale of Saundersfoot's Cambrian Hotel were both incorrect, said the spokesman.

Wetherspoon recently had to withdraw its licensing application in respect of the Shire Hall, Haverfordwest, because it had given the incorrect address. But a spokesman then said it would be resubmitting a new application.