Coronavirus: Belfast’s oldest bar amid those shutting as 180 workers laid off

The six venues run by the Clover Group of pubs include White’s Tavern, the oldest pub in the city, founded in 1630.

The others are Henry’s (formerly McCracken’s, named after the family which founded the News Letter in the 1730s) and the adjoining Jailhouse pub, Pug Ugly’s, Margot, and Fountain Lane.

The 180 workers are a mix of full-time and part-time.

Rumours of the closures had been circulating on Wednesday, but have now been confirmed by the group itself, which issued a statement.

It reads in full:

“It is with deep regret that due to the sudden impact of coronavirus and with the health, safety and well being of our team and customers being of paramount importance, we have temporarily laid off our staff and closed our six venues in Belfast.

“We are making this decision to preserve the long term future of the business and our staff and we will continue to review the external environment, adhering to the advice of the government and health officials with the intention of re-opening our venues as soon as we are in a position to do so.”