THE sale of a long established pub in Warrenpoint has sparked fears over further decline of the traditional local in towns and villages across the north.
Bennett's Seafood Bar and Grill in Warrenpoint is closing after 161 years serving up food and drink to locals - and tourists - and many customers have taken to Facebook to log their disappointment.
Customers writing on Bennett's Facebook page refer to the closure as the "end of an era", comparing the popular seaside bar to the fictional American TV pub 'Cheers' in Boston, "where everybody knows your name".
One Facebook fan said Warrenpoint had "lost a piece of history" while another reminisced over how owner Sean Bennett had learned to pour his first pint of Guinness properly by his father, Hugh.
It is believed the premises are being bought by the Credit Union to be converted into the new headquarters for its Warrenpoint Burren and Rostrevor branch.
Owner Sean Bennett posted news of the sale of the business on Facebook, thanking customers for their support.
"A huge thank you to all of our loyal customers, staff and suppliers for your continued support," he said.
"After 161 years in business in Warrenpoint we have decided to sell our premises.
"The bar will be open for business as usual until it is sold and we look forward to seeing many of you for a drink before then."
The sale is another nail in the coffin of the rural licensing trade, according to chief executive of Pubs of Ulster, Colin Neill, who said owners of traditional pubs, particularly in rural areas, were struggling to survive.
And, while the licensed trade in Belfast is currently benefitting from a roaring Christmas trade, Mr Neill said establishments outside the city were operating on part-time hours.
"In Belfast, the pub trade is sort of an economy on its own," he said, "but the situation in towns and villages across the north is entirely different.
"The sale of Bennett's in Warrenpoint is another sad example of the decline in the rural licensing trade."
Reasons were diverse, he said, and linked to fewer people going out to drink in rural areas because of transport late at night and the fact supermarkets now sell 70 per cent of all alcohol sales in the north.
"Taxation is also expensive for pub owners with the first £1 going to the Exchequer," Mr Neill added.
"Rates relief for community pubs would help, as would a return to mixed trading like in the days of the old 'spirit grocer'.
"There are only around 1,300 pubs left in Northern Ireland while 20 years ago there were 3,000.
"The 'local' is central to community life in many places and its decline also has a knock-on effect on 'cultural tourism' which is an important part of the economy."
