Glendola to float Waxy O'Connors

Glendola Leisure, the managed pub company that owns the Waxy O'Connors brand, is preparing to float the Irish bar concept.

The group is in talks with a US cruise liner company that is interested in franchising the bars across its fleet of ships.

Managing director Alex Salussolia, who confirmed talks were ongoing, said Glendola was also interested in taking the business to mainland America and is currently seeking potential partners.

"We believe that if we took Waxy's to American cities such as Boston and New York, it would absolutely fly," said Mr Salussolia.

He also said that operators based in Hong Kong and Turkey had expressed an interest in the Irish bar but that Glendola was unlikely to pursue partnerships in these countries.

The company currently operates three Waxy's in the UK, in Glasgow, London and Manchester. A fourth will open in Birmingham this September.

The sites are large scale ranging from 7,000 sq ft (London) to 10,000 sq ft (Glasgow).

Glendola, which has 15 sites in the UK, operates a diverse range of retail concepts including the Rain Forest Cafe and the West End nightspot, CC Club.