For many years, Paul Dempster spent his Saturday afternoons at the venue, enjoying a meal with his grandmother, Margaret and they always sat at the same table.

Now, following an extensive refurbishment programme at Roma’s, Paul and his family have been reunited with that precious table and the great memories it holds of Margaret, a former assistant head cook at Brooklands primary school in Dundonald, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 82.

Paul said the table, which has also been engraved in memory of his grandmother, would serve as a reminder of happier times.

‘Nan was a creature of habit. She would call us every week to ask what we were doing and every week, without fail, we’d end up getting lunch at Roma’s,’ he said recently.

“As well as sitting at the same table, she always ordered the same thing – and it made the staff laugh – a beef baguette without the baguette!

“She actually had known the original owner, Roma Hamill so the restaurant was a special place for us.

“When I heard that it was to be refurbished, I immediately thought of that table and sitting there with my dad, my sister, and nan.

“It will now sit pride of place in my kitchen. I am so grateful to everyone at Roma’s for making this happen.”

Roma’s manager, Leanne McClinton says that staff at the venue feel very close to many of their regular customers:

‘It is our privilege to provide a place for them to gather to mark special occasions, birthdays, anniversaries, or in the case of Paul and the Dempster family, somewhere where they could come together for a regular catch up,’ she added.

“As we look towards the next chapter of the Romas story, it is wonderful to think that a part of the former restaurant will remain for many years to come.”

The refurbishment works follow a major investment by Wolf Inns, which purchased the Regent Street venue late last year.

The first phase of the renovations, the downstairs bar and restaurant, has been completed.

A new separate bar, The Fox and Hounds, will also be created on the ground floor within the existing footprint of the building later his summer.

Finally, the 120-seater bistro and private dining areas on the first floor will also undergo complete refurbishment, culminating with the creation of a New York inspired open air roof terrace.

Our picture above shows Paul with Roma’s manager, Leanne McClinton and the table, bearing a photo of Paul’s grandmother, Margaret.

The post Newtownards family reunited with ‘nan’s table’ appeared first on Licensed & Catering News (LCN) - News Coverage from the Local Trade.

A familiar sight to generations of regular M2 commuters, the modern Bellevue boasts two restaurants and a deli as well as a beer garden with panoramic views of the city.

And its new owners have already indicated that a £250,000 refurbishment plan for the restaurant and beer garden at the venue – which employs 48 staff – is in the final planning stages.

The purchase brings the total number of pubs in the Wolf Inns portfolio to eight. Among its other licensed premises are The Ava Winebar, The Hop House and The Goat’s Toe. It also owns the Pickie Fun Park in Bangor.

The managing director of Wolf Inns, Andrew Gedge, says that he’s excited about the potential of its latest acquisition:

‘The Bellevue Arms is one of the best-known pubs in Ulster,’ he said recently. ‘For generations, the Diamond family and its dedicated team have welcomed locals and tourists alike with outstanding food, drink and entertainment and a welcome that was second-to-none

‘We plan to build on the strong foundations already in place at the Bellevue Arms and begin a refurbishment programme to further enhance the hospitality offering to the people of north Belfast and beyond.’

Mr Gedge went on to say that Wolf Inns, which now employs 172 people across its portfolio of bars, restaurants and leisure outlets, would grow further in 2019, promising further investment in training and the acquisition of new premises to further advance the group’s leasing strategy.

Our picture shows Wolf Inns managing director, Andrew Gedge (left), and  Andy Tew, associate director, corporate banking with Ulster Bank, which supported the purchase.

The post New owners promise reinvestment at iconic Bellevue appeared first on Licensed & Catering News (LCN) - News Coverage from the Local Trade.