Irish pub chain McGettigan's set to debut in London

A trendy Irish pub chain will soon be pouring pints of Guinness near Chelsea Football Club’s ground, kicking off its London debut and business expansion plan.

More than 50 years after opening their first pub in Dublin and playing host across their global empire to gigs from artists such as The Coronas and East 17, the McGettigan Group will open in the capital in March.

Brand manager Declan Pierce told the Standard the family-run company hopes to open three pubs in London by the end of the 2016. The first will be at three-storey 1 Fulham Broadway where it acquired the lease from Glendola trading as Brogans.

He added: “We will bring high quality bands over from Ireland to play at our venues and serve high-quality food. There are huge numbers of Irish people in London and we believe there is demand for our brand.”

Property agent Savills was hired to find the Fulham site and will also help the McGettigan chain to source venues in Liverpool, Newcastle and Glasgow.

The company has 11 pubs across Ireland, the Middle East and most recently opened in New York where it said it has attracted a large UK fanbase from British-born workers.