Popular cafe blames closure on price hikes
A popular Co Down cafe has closed “for good” after ten and a half years in business.
The owners of Eighty One in Holywood blamed “unsustainable” price hikes, saying the cost of electric, gas, insurance, VAT not to mention the cost of goods, wages and rates have been “crippling” .
The added that they will still be offering catering services and are set to start a new undisclosed venture.
Posting on Facebook they wrote: “This post has been being written, deleted and rewritten again for the past week! It has not been easyto write. So best way is to just come out with it.
“81 is CLOSING and CLOSING for good. 10 and a half years was a good run! Our last days trade will be Sunday 18th Feb.
“From the bottom of my heart I want to thank every customer that has ever walked through our doors, every customer that became a loyal regular and every customer that has become a friend.
“Thank you to every staff member that has ever been part of the team – we couldn’t have done it without you and we are very appreciative of your hard work.
“The cost of running a cafe operation to the level we wish to provide has just become unsustainable. The electric, the gas, the insurance, the vat, the cost of goods, wages and rates to name a few are just crippling. It is for that reason we have taken the (not so easy) decision to close 81.
“It was my wee baby and I loved it but the costs just kept rising and it just was becoming an expensive hobby not a business.
“Now that said we have a really EXCITING new venture planned. It’s going to be a very different operation and I can not wait to tell you all about it!
“Although Cafe 81 will be closing 81 Event Catering will still continue on and we will still be hosting private parties in our new venture.
“We look forward to welcoming you in the future.
“Anyone with vouchers please don’t worry we will honour them. Again thank you! Lots of love Demelza, Darryl & Team 81 x.”
