The owner of a new Belfast pub in the city’s Docks area, has said he was motivated to acquire the premises following the approval of significant new residential schemes in the immediate vicinity.
Kelvin Collins, who runs Ben Madigan’s in north Belfast, announced the acquisition of McKenna’s bar in Sailortown on Wednesday.
The Derry native, who has worked in the Belfast bar trade for more than two decades, said he will invest around £200,000 in revamping and rebranding the venue, creating around 20 jobs.
His expanding hospitality group is currently in talks with Drinksology, the Belfast-based creative agency behind world famous pubs such as The Dead Rabbit in New York, and distillery experiences such as Hinch in Co Down, Roe & Co in Dublin and the new McConnell’s Distillery inside Crumlin Road Gaol.
The Dock Street pub went on the market in late 2022 when proprietor Brian McKenna announced his retirement.
Kelvin Collins said the he had considered buying the Sailortown premises at that point, but decided against it.
“But I woke up one morning in January [2024] to word that Belfast City Council had passed planning permission for a number of residential developments,” he said.
The projects include Belfast Harbour’s new Sailortown residential scheme, which will see 69 apartments and townhouses built right next door to the McKenna’s site.
The trust port has also secured planning approval for City Quays 4, featuring 256 build-to-rent apartments in a new build waterfront development reaching 23-storeys.
Belfast Harbour is also developing a new outdoor garden at the City Quays site, while some of Belfast’s biggest private sector firms, including Microsoft and Santander, have also relocated to City Quays.
Meanwhile, Co Tyrone developer McAleer and Rushe has secured planning approval for 298 build-to-rent apartments on a site between nearby Tomb Street and Corporation Street.
Translink is also nearing completion on the new £10m York Street train station, just a short walk from the McKenna’s site.
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The area between Sailortown and Belfast city centre has also been a hive a development for new student accommodation in recent year.
Although Mr Collins admits students won’t be his target audience.
“For me it’s about being an authentic Belfast bar,” he said. “It’s about looking at the history of the area, and trying to reflect that in the bar.
“Whatever it is will be of Sailortown. We’re very conscious there’s a lot of history there and we want to respect that.”
McKenna’s will remain open for the time being, with a refurbishment planned in the coming months ahead of a summer launch.
