THE Waterford News & Star understands that the UK pub chain, JD Wetherspoon has purchased the former TSB building on Arundel Square and the adjoining building currently occupied by Evans clothes shop. The property was due to be sold at an Allsops auction in the RDS today but was sold prior to the auction taking place. The 6,750 sq. ft building had a reserve price of €830,000 but it is not yet known how much JD Wetherspoon paid for the property.

JD Wetherspoons currently own over 920 pubs in the UK and recently opened their first Irish premises in Blackrock Co. Dublin. Two further pubs in Cork City and Dun Laoghaire will be opening in the coming months. In January of this year, Wetherspoons looked at a number of premises in Waterford including, T&H Doolans, Burtons and the old Cinema on Patrick Street. It is believed that the size of the properties on Broad Street and Arundal Square, as well as the capabilities for two entrances/exits on to busy high streets, was the clincher for the deal.