Synge & Byrne Closes Northern Ireland Outlets, Affects 80 Jobs

Café chain Synge & Byrne has announced the closure of its Northern Ireland operations, impacting up to 80 employees across nine locations. The affected branches include cafés in Antrim’s Junction shopping outlet, Boucher Road in Belfast, Derry’s Foyleside, Abbey Shopping Centre in Newtownabbey, and Dobbin Road in Craigavon, among others. This decision comes as part of ongoing challenges faced by the hospitality sector.

The announcement was made by Synge & Byrne Abbey Ltd, the company that owns the cafés, which has sought assistance from the AAB Group during this transition. Founded in 2014 by brothers Damien and Adrian Garvey, the brand had expanded its footprint to include several locations in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

In a statement, the company confirmed that its operations in the Republic of Ireland remain unaffected. There are currently five Synge & Byrne cafés in the Republic, including locations in Galway and Blanchardstown, and the company continues to maintain hospitality contracts with the National Museum of Ireland and various national parks.

A spokesperson for the company clarified, “Synge & Byrne can confirm that its operations in the Republic of Ireland are entirely unaffected by the cessation of trading by Synge & Byrne Abbey Ltd in Northern Ireland.”

Details from documents filed with Companies House in Belfast indicate that Adrian Garvey stepped down as a director of Synge & Byrne Abbey Ltd in December, while Damien Garvey maintains his active role. Damien expressed regret over the closure, stating, “We are deeply sorry to have reached this situation. Despite our very best efforts to save the business, we have been unable to overcome the mounting difficulties we faced, not least the current market conditions impacting the hospitality sector, including soaring operating costs.”

The closure highlights the challenges faced by many businesses in the hospitality industry, particularly due to increasing operational costs and a growing debt burden. The Garvey brothers thanked the “hundreds of talented and hardworking staff who have been part of our business over the past 12 years,” as well as the loyal customers who supported them throughout their journey.

As the hospitality landscape continues to evolve, the closure of Synge & Byrne’s Northern Ireland outlets serves as a reminder of the difficulties many companies face in a competitive market. The focus now shifts to ensuring a smooth transition for affected employees and maintaining operations in the Republic of Ireland, where business continues as normal.