Business

Wetherspoon accused of turning ‘super-pub’ into a ‘mega-pub’ with Camden Street pub proposal

UK firm accused of turning super pub into so-called mega pub

Last month JD Wetherspoon lodged plans for a two inch thick 13ft high acoustic glass screen that would allow it to reopen a courtyard at the pub. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill / The Irish Times
Last month JD Wetherspoon lodged plans for a two inch thick 13ft high acoustic glass screen that would allow it to reopen a courtyard at the pub. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill / The Irish Times
Mon Jan 27 2025 - 16:11

UK pub giant Wetherspoon has been accused of trying to turn a “super-pub” into a “mega-pub” by planning to reopen a courtyard at its Keaven’s Port hotel on Dublin’s Camden Street.

However, the West of Camden Residents Association, the Grantham Street Residents Association along with individuals are objecting.

On behalf of the West of Camden Residents Association, James Wickham has told the council that the opening of the courtyard would mean that the super-pub would become a mega-pub “which is totally unsuitable to Camden Street’s scale and character”.

Mr Wickham said: “We believe that the proposal should be rejected because it intensifies the drinking occupation at Keaven’s Port and exacerbates the destruction of Camden Street as one of Dublin’s urban villages”.

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Lamenting the changing face of Camden Street with an increased number of pubs, Mr Wickham said “over the last decade, the street has changed from a village high street to an evening swill pit. Instead of eyes on the street we have urine in the gutter.”

He says before and after drinking in Wetherspoons, large crowds of young drinkers congregate on the street.

Mr Wickham said: “Most of us who actually live in the immediate vicinity now avoid the street in the evenings: there is a major public order issue with on-street drinking, even public urination – in side streets, there is open drug dealing.”

Chairperson of the Grantham Street Residents Association, Niamh Moran has told the council that the increase in customer numbers is likely to exacerbate issues in relation to public nuisance.

Ms Moran stated that “patrons leaving the premises are often loud and abusive. They often discard empty bottles, vomit or urinate in local gardens and cause damage to local property”.

Parents of a child attending the nearby D2 Montessori, Naoise McNally and Ronan Lyons, strongly urge the council to reject the application “in the interest of safeguarding our children and the community”.

The couple state: “Before Wetherspoons opened, the street was a safe and welcoming space. Since its opening, however, it has contributed to a decline in safety and public order.

In a planning submission, consultants for Wetherspoon, Brock McClure contend that the glass screen will result in noise levels being kept within acceptable limits, ensuring a more peaceful living environment for local residents.

JD Wetherspoon closed its beer garden at the venue in April 2022 in response to locals’ noise complaints over its operation and the beer garden has since remained closed.

Wetherspoon spokesman, Eddie Gershon said: “We are reviewing the comments made in response to the application. We will work with Dublin City Council to address the concerns raised as part of the application process.”

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