'The costs involved are impossible to absorb': Closure announced of another Cork restaurant

Yet another Cork restaurant has announced that it has been forced to close, following the shock closures of Nash 19, Tung Sing and Pigalle in the last 10 days.

White Rabbit BBQ on 56 MacCurtain Street, which opened in 2015, and was renovated in 2019, shared on social media that they will be closing their shutters for good in February 2024.

They wrote “it is with great sadness that we announce that White Rabbit BBQ will close our restaurant on MacCurtain St. on 4th February.

“After nine years it has been a difficult decision to make but, as with other restaurants that have recently announced closures, the costs involved in running a full service restaurant have become impossible to absorb.” 

They added that their outlet in Marina Market and White Rabbit Deli on Princes Street will continue to operate as usual, and that they plan to expand their offerings in both venues.

The team also said that the venue on MacCurtain St “will return in the near future with a different offering.” 

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our loyal friends and customers for their support over the last nine years and especially all staff, past and present, who have made possible our past successes and achievements,” they wrote.

The popular restaurant concluded that they encourage anyone with vouchers to redeem to pay them one last visit over the next three weeks, and that from February 5, their vouchers will be redeemable at White Rabbit BBQ at Marina Market and White Rabbit Deli + Foodstore.

Just yesterday, 20 jobs are understood to have been lost as Nash 19, founded by Claire Nash and located on Princes Street, ceased trading effective immediately, also citing spiralling costs of doing business.

It is not only the sector which is struggling, with Twilight newsagents closing three city centre stores and The Baldy Barber saying that revenue at his barbershop, which has been in business for 87 years, dropped by 40% last year, and he planned to close and sell.

Labour Party councillor John Maher called on the Government to intervene, telling The Echo yesterday, "It's 12 days into 2024 and we have seen several shops, cafes and restaurants close.

"The government must wake up and smell the coffee and help businesses that are crying out for help."