Former Old Barn Steakhouse closes, but jobs safe, say owners

The former Old Barn Steakhouse in Markethill is to close just weeks after it was given a new identity as ‘The Granary’.

The restaurant, at Mowhan Road, has been a mainstay of the County Armagh town and owners James and Ruth Richardson made the shock announcement via Facebook this afternoon (Tuesday).

“We are thankful that after speaking with our staff that they will be joining us in Weavers Lodge.”

Armagh I reported in May that James, an award-winning chef, was busy putting the finishing touches to that new enterprise at Gilford. The old Halls Mill venue, on the Banbridge to Portadown Road, closed last year.

It had gone into receivership and was put on the market and sold through Osborne King.

It has since reopened as Weavers Lodge and has been a huge boost to the local areas.

James, who has cooked with some of the culinary greats, including Ainsley Harriot, Nevin Maguire and Paul Rankin, had recruited widely ahead of the reopening.

Weavers Lodge was given a fantastic make-over, inside and out, with landscaped gardens and new furniture being put in place over.

It opened in June, and now, with the closure of The Granary, the staff there will be moving to the Co Down venue.

The expected opening date at this stage is June 9.

Meanwhile, those who had been booked in at The Granary will be contacted.

“We will be in touch with the remainder of our bookings over the next few days, as you can appreciate this does take time,” the owners report.