JD Wetherspoon has been given the green light for its planned pub in Stirling after fellow pubco Greene King sought a judicial review of the board’s decision to grant it a licence, writes Gillian McKenzie.
Stirling licensing board voted four to one to approve the licence application for the disused shop on Spitall Street after it was asked to reconsider its original decision to grant Wetherspoon a licence for the site.
Belhaven-owner Greene King, which operates seven outlets in Stirling, including No 2 Baker Street, Molly Malones and Drouthy Neebors, had sought a judicial review of the board’s initial decision to rubber-stamp the licence.
Last month, Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin slammed the move, accusing Greene King of being “frightened of the competition”.
“We would now ask Greene King to respect the decision made by members of Stirling licensing board,” said Martin after the licence was granted.
“This would then allow Wetherspoon to invest more than £1.5 million in the new pub and create 50 jobs in the process, which has to be good news for the city.
“Just as important, it would offer people in Stirling more choice in terms of which pub they wished to visit.”
Councillor Graham Houston, chair of Stirling licensing board, said: “Having listened carefully to the arguments put forward by the applicants and objectors, and having regard for the requirements of licensing legislation, I was persuaded that the application put forward by JD Wetherspoon should be granted.
“The majority of the board agreed, and the application was passed by four votes to one.
“I feel that the application will add something fresh and distinct to Stirling’s night time economy, and offer more choice to consumers.”
Greene King was unable to comment as SLTN went to press.
