The Grand Central bar in Derry’s Strand Road
The Grand Central Bar on Strand Road was established in 1922 and has evolved to become an institution in the area.
However, the owners said that “there’s no easy way” to state that the pub is closing, with the doors set to permanently shut this Friday.
“I’ve put it off for days because I genuinely don’t know what to say or how to say it,” wrote licensee Rachael Eastwood on social media.
“The world is in a real state at the minute and because of this I wasn’t going to say anything on this platform. However I owe it to our staff and our extremely devoted regulars.
“Unfortunately, sometimes no matter how hard we try and how emotionally attached we are to something or somewhere, when the numbers aren’t stacking up we have to admit defeat.
“The numbers haven’t stacked up for longer than I cared to admit or face. It has become financially unviable to run this wee gem.
“We’ve been fighting for a few years against rising costs for us and our punters. There doesn’t seem to be any give at all and to continue on would be detrimental to me and my family’s life.
“It’s very hard not to make this post highly emotional because quite simply it is.
“Eleven years of a rollercoaster of trading, craic and music. Scrolling through the photographs and posters from day one makes us proud and nostalgic but really flippin sad.
“I don’t know what the future holds for this stunning, centenarian public house. I just hope whoever takes it next loves it like we did.
“Pubs like this are dwindling on this island and I hope someone will come along after us with the skills, vision and finance to bring it back to life once again.
“The Grand Central Bar, established in 1922, has gone through many rebirths and owners. Here’s to the next one.
“To my regulars and staff, I’m so sorry and so grateful in equal measure. It really is a big family and I wish you all the best in finding your new territory.
“We will trade from today until Friday. I invite everyone to come down to the pub on Friday to have a drink with us and some food. I only want a positive and proud goodbye. We’ll have two floors of music going from 9pm. I’ll post more details when my eyes stop stinging.
“I’ll never forget the floods of people who came to support us when the doors opened on the 7th December 2012. Incredible considering I’m a blow in.
“Thank you to all the messages of support, to end this super dramatic post is a quote sent to me by the super sounder past manager that is Dan McGeady – ‘Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end’.
“Thank you Derry, I am absolutely gutted!”
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