Revamp for Northern Whig following acquisition

THE iconic Northern Whig, situated on Bridge Street in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, has been acquired by the Horatio Group. A further £30,000 set to be spent on refurbishment at the venue, bringing the total cost of the acquisition to around £2m.

Currently employing 32 staff, the Northern Whig will be revamped over the next four weeks or so, resulting in a further 15 full and part-time jobs.

Working with interior architect, Chris McCreedy of Chris McCreedy Design, the majority of the furniture and joinery work is being sourced locally and the revamp will see the new-look Northern Whig open its doors towards the end of April.

Commenting on the acquisition, Stephen Magorrian, managing director of the Horatio Group said: “The Northern Whig has been one of our anchor properties for many years and, following a period of leasing the venue from its previous landlords, we’re delighted to have finally purchased the Whig.

“Spanning over 4,000 sq ft., there’s huge potential for the venue. We’re planning to maximise its usage by creating a more relaxed and intimate venue, and we’ll be showcasing an entirely new food and drinks offering that will be amongst the best in Belfast,” he added.

This latest acquisition for the Horatio Group follows a period of transition for the company. It’s the fourth property which the Group will own and operate outright. Other venues in the Horatio portfolio include Horatio Todds in Ballyhackamore; Denvir’s Coaching Inn in Downpatrick and Molly Browns in Newtownards.

The new look Whig will be managed by Gerard Keaney, with Rick Orr at the helm in the kitchen as head chef.

Lorraine Ormsby, finance director of the Horatio Group says that this is the single biggest investment in a property for the group:

“The Cathedral Quarter is now the heart of Belfast’s social and cultural scene and with the addition of the Ulster University campus, opening in 2018, we’re expecting the area to become even more buoyant mid-week,” she added.

The Northern Whig will close this Sunday, April 10, for refurbishment to commence. To follow the Northern Whig’s progress, see www.facebook.com/NorthernWhig

Our picture shows Stephen Magorrian outside The Northern Whig.