Wetherspoon founder says the chain will 'have another look' at Derry following sale of local bars

Wetherspoons founder Tim Martin has said that the chain will 'look again' at Derry in the future after selling both it's bars in the area late last year.

Wetherspoon sold The Diamond pub (pictured) and The Ice Wharf pub in Strand Road in November last year.

They were two of five Northern Ireland bars that the company sold to The Granny Annie’s Group.

It was announced at the time that they would continue to run them as pubs and staff at the pubs will be transferred to the new owner so there would be no job losses.

Speaking in today's Belfast Telegraph Mr Martin said: "We will probably have another look at Derry, Ballymena and maybe Coleraine in a few years' time."

Mr Martin would not reveal how much the group has received from The Granny Annie's Group for five bars.

"I can't say how much we sold the five pubs for as it's up to the buyer to tell you, but what I can say is that what we plan to spend in Northern Ireland is more than we got from the sales."