The founder and chairman of JD Wetherspoon has hinted that the pub chain could consider opening a second venue on the Isle of Man.
Sir Tim Martin told Isle of Man Today that the island’s population was large enough to support two Wetherspoon pubs, although discussions about expanding had not yet taken place.
It comes more than a year after The Conister Arms opened its doors on Regent Street in Douglas in May 2025.
Isle of Man Today exclusively revealed plans for the venue, which took over the former 1886 Bar and Grill following a £1.8m redevelopment.
Asked how the pub had performed since opening, Sir Tim said: ‘The Conister has been a great success, popular with both locals and visitors.’
He was also asked whether the experience of opening on the island had prompted consideration of further venues.
Sir Tim said: ‘The population of the Isle of Man is big enough for two pubs, but discussions regarding new additions haven’t taken place yet.’
The Conister Arms operates under a franchise model run by local operator James Thompson and his team.
Before its opening, Sir Tim told Isle of Man Today he believed Wetherspoon would be a ‘plus’ for Douglas, despite concerns from some islanders and local businesses about the potential impact of its pricing model on smaller pubs, bars and cafes.
Asked whether he still held that view, he said the chain added a different dimension to most areas in which it operated.
‘We open for breakfast and serve food all day until just before closing; we sell a wider variety of real ales than almost any other pub company; we have no music which is rare in the modern world; our prices are usually lower than average,’ he said.
Sir Tim also confirmed that locally brewed beer had proved popular with customers.
Asked how the plan to stock Manx beers had worked out, he said: ‘We’re already selling local beers which are very popular, long may it continue!’
The opening of The Conister Arms created 120 additional jobs, with existing staff from 1886 also offered roles at the new venue.
Named after Conister Rock in Douglas Bay, the pub occupies the historic Regent Street building which originally opened as the Isle of Man General Post Office in 1886.