Beloved Galway nightclubs Electric and Halo are considering selling their premises to the British pub chain Wetherspoons, according to Hospitality Ireland.

In late November, the group behind the two venues announced that they would close these premises and associated business permanently, following the Government's decision to force nightclubs to close at 11.30 pm, just weeks after they reopened.

This was met with much dismay by frequent visitors to these nightclubs, as they had been among the last of the relatively small number of nightclubs in the city.

The news about Wetherspoons arrived just as it broke, earlier today, that NPHET has recommended to the Government that all nightclubs should close and hospitality should only have 50% capacity until January 9.

Wetherspoons are currently in the process of opening their ninth bar in the Republic of Ireland, with a new addition set to open on South Strand, on Hanover Quay, in Dublin's Grand Canal Dock area, next week.

They are reportedly considering expanding into Galway, Limerick and Waterford.

The chain has had controversy in recent years due to the chairman and founder Tim Martin's backing of Brexit and the perceived dumbing down of local Irish culture, as the brand buys independent pubs.

The rise in popularity of Wetherspoons has been linked to its cheap drink and food prices, similar to how the Irish airline Ryanair rose in the aviation industry.