Dobbins Inn closure a 'devastating blow' for Carrickfergus - Wilson
Sammy Wilson MP has described the closure of Dobbins Inn in Carrickfergus as a “very sad day” for the town – and a “wake-up call” to both the Northern Ireland Executive and the government at Westminster.
The historic hotel and restaurant announced it is to close its doors on September 21, 2026.
It has been run by the Fallis family since 1978, with the building itself dating back to the medieval period.
Mr Wilson said: “Dobbins Inn is a historic and well-known part of the town and its closure will be deeply regretted by many people locally.
"Behind every announcement of a business closing its doors are employees and families whose livelihoods are affected. It is an onerous blow for them and a further blow to the economy of Carrickfergus.
"Unfortunately, Dobbins Inn is not an isolated case. We are now seeing hospitality businesses announcing closures with alarming regularity, and each closure should serve as another warning about the enormous pressures facing this industry.
"At Westminster, I have continuously raised the plight of the hospitality sector and the cumulative impact of increasing costs. Higher National Insurance contributions, VAT, rates and energy costs all eat into already tight margins and make it increasingly difficult for businesses to remain viable.
"Many of these costs are directly influenced by decisions made by government, and ministers have had opportunities to provide meaningful assistance to an industry which employs thousands of people and makes an important contribution to our local economy."
Mr Wilson said there needs to be a “renewed determination” at Stormont to examine what more can be done to ease the rates burden on our hospitality sector. “There also needs to be action from Westminster,” he added. “Hospitality businesses cannot simply absorb one increase after another and be expected to carry on regardless. When a hotel, restaurant, pub or café closes, we lose jobs, investment, footfall and another part of the character of our towns and communities.
“The closure of Dobbins Inn should therefore be a wake-up call to both the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government at Westminster. We cannot continue to watch businesses disappear week after week without addressing the conditions which are making it increasingly difficult for them to survive.”