Pub chain JD Wetherspoon is targeting both Holmfirth and Mirfield for new pubs.
The brewery giant has confirmed plans to open 200 new pubs and create 15,000 jobs over the next five years.
And it has identified Holmfirth and Mirfield as possible locations for pub openings.
The firm, which has The Lord Wilson at King Street and The Cherry Tree at John William Street in Huddersfield as well as The Richard Oastler in Brighouse among its 20 pubs in West Yorkshire, said it would invest more than £400m developing new pubs across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Company spokesman Eddie Gershon said Wetherspoon was “very keen” on Holmfirth and Mirfield, but had no sites in mind at present. He said: “We have enjoyed great success in the region and are keen to open more Wetherspoon pubs, specifically in Holmfirth and Mirfield.”
It is understood that the company has no plans to add to its existing pubs in Huddersfield or in Halifax – where it has The Barum Top Inn and The Percy Shaw.
The company, which already operates 931 pubs and employs 34,000 staff, said the 15,000 new jobs it planned to create would be spread across the new outlets as well as at existing sites.
The new posts will include management roles as well as jobs for bar, kitchen and front of house staff.
Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said: “We are looking forward to opening the new pubs, many of which will be in areas where Wetherspoon is not yet represented. We are proud to be creating so many new jobs.”
Mr Martin has long campaigned for a “level playing field” between pubs and supermarkets – arguing that while pubs have to pay 20% VAT on food, supermarkets are exempt and able to offer cut-price alcohol as a result.
Said Mr Marti: “Wetherspoon paid more than £600m in taxes in our last financial year and this will rise to approximately £1bn in the course of the next five years.”
