'Thank you for being part of our story': Owners of magical C.S. Lewis-inspired Northern Ireland café bid emotional farewell after nine years
The Armstrong family have announced they are stepping away from The Lamppost Café on the Upper Newtownards Road, thanking customers for their support as new owners prepare to take over the much-loved east Belfast spot
A quirky Northern Ireland café has announced it is closing its doors ‘after nine years’ in business.
The owners of the C.S. Lewis-themed Lamppost Café on the Upper Newtownards Road in east Belfast confirmed they are closing their chapter with new owners set to take over.
The café has become a well-known local favourite due to its C.S. Lewis inspiration, reflecting its location close to where The Chronicles of Narnia author grew up. Inside, customers are greeted by a treasure trove of vintage crockery and quirky Narnia-themed artwork, helping to create its distinctive charm.
In a heartfelt social media post, the Armstrong family thanked customers and the local community for their support over the years.
“Dear Lampposters, after nine wonderful years, our family chapter at The Lamppost Café is coming to an end,” the post read.
“For our family, this café has been far more than a business. It has been our dream — a place for connection and conversation, and a little corner of east Belfast where strangers became friends.
“We always hoped The Lamppost would feel like a place of warmth and welcome — and you all made that dream a reality.”
The family went on to thank everyone who supported the café and looked to the future.
“To every customer who walked through our doors, every friend and family member who made this place part of their routine, and every conversation shared over coffee — thank you. You have meant more to us than words can say,” they added.
“While it’s incredibly hard to say goodbye, we do so with full hearts and deep gratitude. We are also hopeful and excited to be passing The Lamppost into the hands of new owners, who will continue its story and bring new chapters to this much-loved place.
“This isn’t the end — just a turning of the page. Thank you for being part of our story.”
The announcement concluded with a quote from C.S. Lewis’ The Last Battle: “For them it was only the beginning of the real story.”