THERE is growing concern for the future of rural pubs in the Fermanagh area with another five bars ‘calling time’ in recent weeks
In addition to the Central Bar and The Railway Bar in Irvinestown, the Spirit Store in Trillick and the Chestnut Bar in Fivemiletown have all shut their doors in recent weeks and, within the past few days, the ‘Hair of the Dog’ in Belcoo ceased trading.
The Chestnut Bar, ones one of the best-known pubs in Fivemiletown, is now up for sale, at a guide price of £100,000, without the licence,
The pub occupies the ground floor of a two and a half storey building, with a four-bedroom apartment above and occupies a prominent site in the town.
And in Fivemiletown there was shock and regret at the closure of one of the town’s best know businesses.
“The Chestnut Bar was a great pub in its time but, over the years, it seemed to have gone downhill. A lot of the business seemed to drift away and it probably wasn’t viable to keep it going,” said one local businessman.
And, while some pubs are bucking the trend, among them the Melvin Bar in Garrison which, next month, celebrates its 100th anniversary, the going is far from easy.
Its landlord, Michael Gilroy explained: “| was born in to the business and I would say things are the worst ever, all because the expenses are very, very high, even little things, like having to pay the Performing Rights Society £500 for a licence and a £300 licence for radio and television.
“You’re talking close to £20 a week on these alone, not to mention water and sewerage and electricity costs.
“All pubs are keen on Sky because it’s a big attraction, but it would not be economically feasible for a rural pub to have it. The numbers aren’t there.
“The drink driving ban and the no smoking ban came out around the same time.
“But for them, there’s a possibility people would come out. Now, they have to arrange for somebody to take them home and, in actual fact, they feel they’re putting pressure on you if we take them home.”
However, his daughter, Grainne is carrying on the business.
Why?
“It’s because that’s what I have been brought up with, “and I would hate to see it leave the family. It is part of us.”
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