PUBLICAN Gavin Bates, leaseholder of the popular Ryan’s Bar on Belfast's Lisburn Road, has expanded his bar and restaurant portfolio by acquiring the 200-year-old White Horse Coaching Inn in Saintfield and its sister Flaming Crust pizza restaurant in an off market deal facilitated by commercial property consultants GVA NI.
Gavin said: “We're delighted to have expanded our business into Saintfield.
"The White Horse is a historical, traditional, family-friendly bar and restaurant at the hub of the local community and I'm enjoying building relationships with customers.
"Our food offering has something to cater for everyone’s taste buds, with the 60 seater bar restaurant serving up a varied menu of gastro pub food and The Flaming Crust Pizza restaurant on the lower level of the property serving authentic Italian pizza from the wood fired oven.”
A well-known food and drink establishment in Saintfield, the White Horse holds a history of excellence on which the new owner plans to build.
“We are currently making cosmetic improvements including painting the building internally and externally and are working on plans for further investment in the bar,” Gavin added.
“We are also happy to have retained the experienced team of staff in the bar and restaurant who will continue to deliver the high quality food and drink that customers are used to.”
GVA NI director Gavin Weir, who completed the deal, said: “The White Horse is a well-established local business in a good location and we were pleased to complete the deal which suited both vendor and purchaser well.
"We have been working with Gavin for a number of years since he took over the helm of Ryan’s Bar in Belfast and we look forward to helping him expand his business further in the coming years.”
“The sale demonstrates the good demand for profitable licensed venues with a secure trade,” he added.
GVA NI acted on behalf of Bernard Sloan, who had built the successful business up over 14 years. He will now concentrate on his Whitewater Brewery Business and the expanding craft beer market both locally and abroad.
