A WETHERSPOONS in Caernarfon is to stay open as cafes during the latest tough restrictions on pubs in Wales.

Wetherspoon is to keep eight of its pubs open in Wales from Saturday, the company has announced.

In North Wales, these are the Tafarn Y Porth in Caernarfon, The Gold Cape in Mold, and Wrexham's Elihu Yale.

The move follows a meeting between Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin and members of the Welsh Government who are opposed to pub closures.

Wetherspoon said pubs will effectively trade as cafes in Cardiff, Newport, Caernarfon, Cwmbran, Mold and Wrexham.

North Wales Chronicle:

The Gold Cape in Mold

Tim Martin said: “ I met with Conservative leader of the opposition Paul Davies MS and Conservative chief whip Darren Millar MS at our pub, The Mount Stuart, in Cardiff earlier this week.

“They are opposed to the Welsh pub closures and were keen for Wetherspoon to keep some of the company’s pubs open.

“As a result we have decided to keep eight of the pubs open from 8am to 6pm throughout the week.”

Other Wetherspoons in North Wales are listed as being temporarily closed on the company's website.

From 6pm on Friday, licensed pubs, cafes and restaurants in Wales will have to stop serving alcohol on their premises, although those with an off-licence can sell alcoholic drinks to be taken away.

On Firday, First Minister Mark Drakeford defended the Welsh Government’s ban on pubs, restaurants and cafes serving alcohol.

“I take the decisions that I do because I know that they are the right decisions and that they will save lives here in Wales,” Mr Drakeford said.

“Even when the decisions are difficult, so long as I can look at myself in the mirror and know that I am doing what I believe – with all the evidence that we draw on and the advice that we get – that I am doing and this government is doing the right thing.

“That is what has to matter to me, not whether it is in a temporary way unpopular or that other people might take a different view.”

Mr Drakeford warned the rules were not likely to be lifted when they are reviewed on December 17.

The Welsh Wetherspoon pubs to stay open as cafes:

  • Tafarn Y Porth, Caernarfon
  • Central Bar, Cardiff
  • Prince of Wales, Cardiff
  • The John Fielding, Cwmbran
  • Gold Cape, Mold
  • Red Lion, Morriston
  • Godfrey Morgan, Newport
  • Elihu Yale, Wrexham