40 jobs to be created in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter with new café bar opening

BELFAST has been given a jobs boost with the news that a new café bar and bakery is to open at the former National Bank in the Cathedral with the creation of 40 new posts.

Around £700,000 is being invested in the National Grande Cafe Bar.

It is expected to open in September with an artisan bakery and patisserie to be housed in the adjacent building.

It is owned by the same group that runs The Merchant.

A further announcement of up to 50 additional jobs is also expected in the autumn with the opening of a third new venue in the city by the Beannchor group.

“Ongoing investment in the sector is essential, however, if it is to grow and prosper to its full potential amid very challenging economic times,” said Bill Wolsey, managing director of the company which already owns 50 hotels and pubs.

“Our latest investment of around £700,000 in these two new venues – adding to our major investment of over £16m in the hospitality industry in recent years – will bring an economic boost not only to the Cathedral Quarter, but to the city centre and the wider hospitality industry as a whole.

“The creation of 42 new full-time and part-time jobs this summer and up to 50 new jobs later this year will come as good news to the industry amid ongoing job losses.”