Pub chain JD Wetherspoon could open an outlet on Waverley Bridge.
The news emerged as the company published plans to replace the Jimmy Chung’s buffet. The plan shows a 13-metre long bar capable of serving 200 drinkers, with two beer garden areas earmarked for either side of the building. The other pub that JDW are keen to see progress is one on Victoria Street on the site of the former Khushi’s. A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon said, “If these pubs do open, we believe it will be good news for Edinburgh and will be the catalyst for further investment in the city.”
Meanwhile, the company’s latest set of preliminary results show revenue up 10% to £1,409.3m. Like-for-like sales increased 5.5% while operating profit increased by 3.8% to £115.6m. (For the 52 weeks ended 27 July 2014) Commenting on the results, Tim Martin, the chairman of J D Wetherspoon plc, said, “I am pleased to report another year of progress, with record sales, profit and earnings per share. The company generated £600.2m in taxes, an increase of £48.7m, compared with the previous year, equivalent to £662,000 per pub. We now employ over 34,000 people, an increase of over 3,000 in the last year. In addition, £29.2m in bonuses and free shares was paid to employees, 82% to those working in our pubs.