While one of the city’s latest bar and bistro establishments closes its doors, the manager of a flagship hotel has emphasised that they are trading as normal.
The doors were locked this week at Charlotte’s in St Owen’s Street, which is a prime site opposite the city’s Town Hall, and opened in July 2007.
Charlotte’s proprietor Paul Beavan told the Journal: “The decision to close made business sense.
“While Charlotte’s was undoubtedly a very popular venue, we were not prepared to face what will be a very difficult recession in the year ahead.
“Also, the rent was a crippler, and I was not prepared to consider an increase on what was already a very demanding rate.
“I would like to thank our customers and staff who made it all possible – and maybe we’ll be back at an alternative venue”.
Meanwhile Ian Darcy, manager of the Green Dragon Hotel in Broad Street, said rumours of its demise were “not true”.
“We have made five people redundant and reduced the hours of others, but that it not an unusual situation in January or February, when the restaurant is not so busy,” he said.
“In fact, we have submitted a planning application for a new entrance to the restaurant directly off Broad Street to enable customers to come right in”, he said.
