Wetherspoon’s sold off The Diamond Bar in Derry to Granny Annie’s last year
‘GRANNY Annies’ is to make an estimated £12 million investment in Derry with the creation of 80 new jobs, says Invest NI.
Owners W & R Holdings had previously bought the former Wetherspoons and Ice Wharf pubs in the Diamond and Strand Road.
Now the group has also secured the former Clarendon Bar, to be renamed “The Tipsy Bird”, and the Belfray Country Inn Hotel, on the outskirts of the city.
Around £4 million is to be invested in the iconic landmark building in the Diamond in addition to the ongoing multi-million refurbishment at the former Clarendon Bar site on Lower Clarendon Street.
The acquisition and refurbishment of the Belfray Country Inn Hotel and the Ice Wharf on Strand Road will bring the group’s total investment to approximately £12 million, making “Granny Annie’s” the largest pub and restaurant operator in the North West.
Commenting on the imminent opening of “Granny Annie’s” new Kitchen and Bar at the Diamond, the Group Area Manager, Andrew O’Doherty, said:
“We are extremely excited about this particular landmark development which will lead to the creation of 80 new jobs for this prominent building which is steeped in rich history and has played an integral commercial role in the Diamond for many years.
“We believe this new ‘Granny Annie’s’ Kitchen and Bar complex and the forthcoming ‘Tipsy Bird’ development, are important regeneration projects vital to Derry’s tourism economy.
“We want to provide the next generation of super pubs and ensure their customers receive a first-class service with a five-star experience including beverage, entertainment and food,” added Andrew.
