The director of a Co Down dog-friendly café and restaurant chain has said the company is ‘sad’ to announce the closure of one of its branches but hopeful of being able to grow the brand in the future.
Joxer is a chain of three dog-friendly café/restaurant locations found in Bangor, Holywood and Hillsborough.
On Sunday, the company announced that its Bangor site on Holborn Avenue would be closing its doors after almost three years.
Lynsay Harrison, Director of Joxer, told The Irish News that the decision to close the branch was bittersweet.
“It’s not what you hope for,” she said.
“But I think we’ve had a lovely time while it lasted and we wanted it to remain lovely while it lasted, so I just think you bow out when the going’s good and keep it as a happy memory as opposed to carnage.”
However, she added that one of the negatives would be the loss of staff jobs after the branch closes its doors on January 19.
“We’re sad, you know, we’ve had some of the staff there, obviously their jobs will be coming to an end and they’ve been with us from the start. That’s nearly three years in that building.
“That’s very sad and out of our control and, unfortunately, that is the negative.
She also added that they would miss some of the customers but encouraged regulars at the Bangor branch to make their way to Holywood or Hillsborough – and to keep an eye out for future new locations.
“There’ll be more to come too. This is not a downplay of the brand; it’s only the start,” she said.
“We’ve had a lovely time and we’re glad of the time and now it’s time to move on.”
