J D Wetherspoon plc is a British pub company operating in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland. The company was founded in 1979 by Sir Tim Martin and is based in Watford, England. It operates the sub-brand of Lloyds No.1 bars, and 56 Wetherspoon hotels. Wetherspoon is known for converting unconventional premises, such as former cinemas and banks, into pubs – part of its wider engagement with local history. The company is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. Wikipedia