Wetherspoon has been refused a drinks license for premises at the former Methodist Church on Belfast’s University Road, instead bought a former Cafe Vaudeville premises. O’hare solicitors acted in sale in this case.

Irish News reported:

PUBS operator Wetherspoon has withdrawn from an application to seek a drinks licence for the former Methodist Church premises at University Road in Belfast, the Irish News can reveal.

It follows objections from a number of independent bars already trading in neighbouring areas.

It comes in the wake of the chain being refused a licence earlier this year for a hostelry at the former JJB Sports store premises on Royal Avenue, a property which it owns.

And it means Wetherspoon, fronted by north coast-born Tim Martin, no longer has any pending applications in Northern Ireland.

But the Irish News has learnt that the company has exchanged contracts to purchase the freehold interest in the former Cafe Vaudeville premises in Belfast’s Arthur Street.

That property is currently let to the Revolution Bars Group and trades as Revolucion de Cuba.

The UK bar chain, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, bought the premises from owner Pat McCormack for £2.5 million in 2017.

It is understood Wetherspoon paid £3.25m for the listed two-storey mid-terrace former bank building, which dates back to the 1800s and was once the head office for Dunville & Co.

It has been operating as a licensed premises since 2005.

https://www.irishnews.com/business/2019/09/17/news/wetherspoon-withdraws-belfast-drinks-license-application—instead-buys-former-cafe-vaudeville-premises-1714027/