Ballynahinch restaurant blames staff and costs crisis for closure

A popular Co Down restaurant has closed after what it called a “long and hard few months.”

Writing on social media the owners of Coulter Restaurant in Ballynahinch announced they would be closing with their final service on Saturday, July 2.

Owners Cristina and Stevie Higginson, who also run The Square Bistro in Lisburn, opened the Dromore Street restaurant in 2021 having taken on the premises tow years earlier.

A Facebook post read: “As a result of issues recruiting staff and rising costs, our business will be unable to continue operating for the foreseeable future.

“We are very grateful for our phenomenal staff and loyal customers who helped us create this fantastic little restaurant.”

Stevie Higginson also tweeted: “We started this in 2019 before covid and battled through but sometimes with all the will in the world it ain’t enough.

“The team we had were amazing but constant issues with chefs was always a struggle. Then the rising cost issue just tipped the balance.”

Following an outpouring of support, they wrote: “Thank you so much to everyone’s kind words

The building previously housed Bull & Ram, with the name harking back to the original butcher’s shop that traded from the premises.