The Boardwalk Bar and Grill in Cork's City Quarter will close its doors with immediate effect after six years in business.
John and Darina Gately, who also operate the Montenotte Hotel in Cork, have been forced to close after a rapid decline in footfall over recent years. The couple have cited office closures and the planned location for the new event centre as reasons for the forced closure, as reported in the Irish Examiner.
The new event centre, a 6,000-seater venue, is to be built at the site of the former Beamish and Crawford brewery, on Cork’s South Main Street. The €50 million project is will be built on the opposite side of the city to the Boardwalk, which owner Darina Gately said was the final nail in the coffin. "The crunch came when the new events centre was confirmed for South Main Street, and with over eight new restaurants opened in Cork in the last few months, the writing was on the wall for us," said Ms. Gately.
Opened in 2008 at a cost of €2 million, the Boardwalk quickly became one of Cork city's popular nightlife spots and at its peak employed 50 staff. The 8,000 square feet unit was owned as a joint venture between the Gatelys and broadcaster Neil Prenderville. The latter pulled out of the business in 2012.
Construction for the event centre is due to open in 2016.
