Beannchor, the Northern Ireland-based bar, hotel and restaurant group, has outlined details of its next two openings in the centre of Belfast.
The 50-strong group will open the National Grande Café Bar in one of Belfast’s oldest buildings - the former National Bank Building - on the High Street, while next door will house Patisserie Mimi, which the company says will be the city’s first high-end artisan bakery. It is investing £700k in the two new sites.
The company, which will open both new sites later this month, also expects to launch a third new venue, also in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter before the end of the year.
Set in the historic surroundings of one of Belfast’s oldest buildings - the former National Bank Building on High Street -The National Grande Café Bar will offer a taste of the continent in the heart of the city’s Cathedral Quarter.
The National will be home to one of the largest dedicated beer gardens in Belfast, and the first in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter, with the launch of the ‘Magners City Orchard’ beer garden, which will come complete with its very own apple tree, direct from the Magners orchard in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
Bill Wolsey, managing director, said: “This is a very exciting time for Beannchor; not only are we getting ready to launch two new ventures but we are also bringing something new and innovative to the local hospitality sector. We have spent a great deal of time and effort carefully creating, developing and fine-tuning every detail of both venues to create something totally unique.
“Belfast is increasingly becoming known as a cosmopolitan European city but it needs to continue to raise its game. We believe that The National Grande Café Bar and Patisserie Mimi will bring a genuine continental atmosphere to the Cathedral Quarter and will be a welcome addition to the area, which is quickly becoming the city’s cultural and social hub.
“Over the last few years we have invested over £16m in the local hospitality industry and as a result, we have built a strong portfolio of licensed premises, creating hundreds of jobs across Northern Ireland. We are committed to further expansion and hope to announce plans for another venue in the Cathedral Quarter soon.”
