Apartment plans could signal end for Botanic bar and club

The Playwright Bar and Time Nightclub, which opened its doors at Botanic less than two years ago could be about to close to make way for new apartments.

It has been reported that an application for change of use at the venue was submitted to Belfast City Council in April.

1 Oak Leisure Ireland Limited, which is owned by Cookstown developer, Patrick Scullion, opened the venue in September 2017 following a £1.5m redevelopment at the site which was previously occupied by The Fly.

Other venues owned by Mr Scullion include Time Nightclub in Cookstown, Johnny Foxes in Magherafelt and Ruby’s nightclub and The Harp & Fiddle Bar in Strabane.

Speaking to LCN at the time of the Belfast opening, company marketing manager, Laura McGillion had indicated that Mr Scullion was keen to invest in the ongoing expansion of hospitality in the city.

‘This is our first time in Belfast, so it’s very important to us that this is a success, particularly because we are using the TIME brand, which has built up a very good image in Cookstown and we want that to continue,’ she added.

It’s understood that around 60 people are currently employed at the Botanic venue.

A total of nine new apartments are planned for the site.