THE boss of pubs operator Wetherspoon claims current licensing legislation in Northern Ireland 'are not benefitting the public' and need radically overhauled.
Its founder and chairman Tim Martin was speaking to the Irish News as the chain continues to wait for permission to open two outlets in Belfast.
Wetherspoon has already been refused a licence for a hostelry at the former JJB Sports store premises on Royal Avenue, based on opposition from a number of independent bars already trading in neighbouring streets.
The company has already received planning permission for both the JJB Sports sites and for the former Methodist Church on University Road.
"Both sites are at various stages of the separate licensing process, but that process is much slower in Northern Ireland than in Dublin, London, Cardiff or Edinburgh," Mr Martin said.
"In those cities, the law gives very little weight to 'trade objectors' like local publicans who try to stop a rival pub from opening.
"There, objectors' power to slow, or stop, new developments has been reduced or eliminated, primarily to let market forces determine what new pubs should open and to encourage investment.
"Obviously we understand and accept that traders here are only using the laws of the land and therefore have every right to object.
"But while it's the law, it's frustrating, and I believe that to increase investment in the future, it might be a good idea for legislators to look closely at the licensing process in Dublin, Edinburgh and London, because I don’t think the current system benefits the public."
Wetherspoon's is due to open another new pub in Dublin city centre next week on the site of a former bank and chapel in Lower Abbey Street, creating 70 jobs.
The Silver Penny will be the chain's seventh outlet in the Republic, adding to the Three Tun Tavern in Blackrock, the Forty Foot in Dun Laoghaire, the Great Wood in Blanchardstown, the Old Borough in Swords, the Linen Weaver in Cork and the Tullow Gate in Carlow.
The continued refusal of the two Wetherspoon licenses comes as two premises in Belfast were granted first-time liquor licenses within the last week - John Long's chippy off Grosvenor Road and Green's Pizzeria on the Ormeau Road.
