Hearth to bring home comfort to Ballyhackamore

An East Belfast pub is due to open next week having been given a new lease of life following a fire.

Hearth on the Newtownards Road in Ballyhackamore will be run by Phil and Sarah Patterson, who also operate the popular Dundrum Inn, and the couple want the community to feel they are running the bar on behalf of them.

The venue had closed due to two fires last year in March and October which caused internal smoke and water damage to the building but it is now set to reopen ton Friday, October 14.

Phil Patterson said the focus will be on creating a nice community atmosphere and that Hearth will become a sports pub when Ireland or Ulster Rugby are playing.

Phil said: “We are very excited to open Hearth and bring the traditional local pub back to Ballyhackamore.

“We want this to be a spot where everyone in the community knows they are welcome and we have a focus on maintaining a cosy and warm environment for all to enjoy.

“This is a brilliant opportunity to reinstate the pub which has been closed for the past 18 months due to two fires and we know that there are many people in East Belfast anxiously waiting for the doors to open.

“It is called Hearth because of our ethos for the business, where we want it to be from the heart and down to earth. The first thing you will see entering the building is a welcoming fire that will let people know that this is a safe place to relax and enjoy a drink.

“With the colder weather coming in we want the community to know that anyone is able to come in for a bit to keep warm, even if they are not looking to have a drink and we will be more than happy to make them a nice cup of tea.

“I would just like to thank Peter McCormick from Fitout building services for the fantastic interior design and refit he has provided for us.”

Hearth will be opened in a number of phases to ensure the business is able to grow healthy.