Beannchor Group’s £1m plan to transform Wetherspoon bar

The Beannchor Group, which counts The Merchant, Bullitt and the Little Wing pizza chain among its many ventures, is set to transform the former home of a Wetherspoon’s pub in Lisburn at a cost of £1m.

What was The Tuesday Bell in Lisburn Square is set to become The Lark, a live music venue and restaurant.

Work has already begun on site and the two-storey transformation, to include a fully heated and covered outdoor area, should create 30 jobs when complete.

Downstairs will host live music and offer an “extensive and creative drinks menu featuring craft beers and cocktails”, while the first floor will become the Group’s second ‘Yardbird’ restaurant – mirroring its Cathedral Quarter sister bar, The Dirty Onion.

The 60-seater “family-friendly” dining venue will specialise in rotisserie chicken, ribs and wings.

Last year Beannchor opened its £4m hotel, Haslem, in the Square, while in 2017 it added a Lisburn branch to its Little Wing Pizzeria empire.

‘Increasing demand’

Beannchor director, Conall Wolsey, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the development team at Lisburn Square again and bringing our expertise to transform the city’s former Wetherspoon’s pub into a more modern establishment.

“Opening The Lark is a demonstration of the confidence we have in Lisburn and the increasing demand from locals who are searching for premium food, beverage and leisure experiences that match those of Belfast city.

“With this significant refurbishment, we hope the venue will appeal to a wider audience group than its predecessor and further boost the Square’s day and night-time economy.”

The Tuesday Bell closed at Christmas and a Wetherspoon spokesman said: “At present, Wetherspoon is not looking at any other sites in Lisburn, however, we would not rule out returning to open a pub there in the future.”

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