Invasion gives Irish vintners food for thought

JD Wetherspoon has upped its game with an emphasis on 'pint and a meal' offerings and even family breakfasts, writes Ben Griffiths in London.

Tim Martin, founder of JD Wetherspoon.

An entire generation of young British people has grown up with JD Wetherspoon, the ubiquitous pub chain that is hoping to take Ireland's notoriously competitive industry by storm.

Whether it's cash-strapped students devouring the 'beer and a burger' offers, pensioners supping discounted real ales or young families tucking into full English breakfasts, there can hardly be anyone of drinking age in Britain who hasn't been in at least one Wetherspoon's.

Though Wetherspoon's does ...