Carrick bar and restaurant closes after 22 years

A  Co Antrim restaurant has announced it is closing due to “difficult conditions” in the hospitality industry.

The Wind Rose Bar and Restaurant on Rodger’s Quay in Carrickfergus has served the area for the past 22 years. In a post on social media, the restaurant’s owner, Gary Callaghan, announced their decision to close.

He said the decision was made with “deep regret and sadness” but said the past few years have been difficult within the local hospitality sector. Announcing the sad news, he thanked their staff and loyal customers for their support over the years.

Gary said: “It is with deep regret and sadness that we have decided to close the Windrose Bar and Restaurant. Conditions in the hospitality industry have made it increasingly difficult over the last number of years causing us to take this decision.

“We would like to thank all our staff, past and present, for their dedicated service over the past 22 years. Finally, thank you to all our loyal customers over the years!”

The popular restaurant overlooking Belfast Lough is known for its panoramic views, rustic bistro style food, and their use of locally sourced ingredients.

In September 2022, a fire engulfed the restaurant with four fire appliances called to the scene, containing the blaze to their downstairs kitchen and prep kitchen. At the time its owner said they had been inundated with offers of help from the local community.

In a blog post on April 30, CEO of Hospitality Ulster, Colin Neill, said that despite an improvement in Northern Ireland’s general economic outlook, the hospitality sector is still facing a “challenging environment.”

He said: “The cost of doing business is stuck in an upward trajectory with VAT, rates, and additional employer contributions a constant headache across the industry. This in turn has forced prices up as these costs have to be passed on, despite best efforts.”