THE owners of Poachers Seafood Bar & Restaurant in Bandon, which is set to close after 20 years, said they have had an amazing two decades but now feel it is time to try something
new.

Owners Barry and Catherine McLaughlin made the sudden announcement online last week much to the shock of many of their loyal customers.

The seafood restaurant, located on New Road in Bandon, has carved out its own unique style, winning several awards since opening its doors in 2006.

The gastro pub has been included in the Michelin Food Guide since 2008 and was listed in the McKenna’s Guide 100 Best Irish restaurants in 2012.

Barry said: ‘We’ve had a great run but we just decided that the time is right for us to move on to other things really. We will leave it with some fantastic memories and experiences and there’s no doubt about that.

‘For now, we just wanted to inform our customers of our plans and without our customers we have no business.’

Barry stressed Poachers is still open for lunch, dinner and drinks and he and Catherine are looking forward to seeing all their customers before the business is sold.

He added Poachers will go for sale quite shortly but the restaurant will remain open throughout the sales process.

‘We are very proud to have done something for that length of time in our home town. Bandon as a town is growing and it’s very exciting times and I’m sure the next custodians here will benefit from that.’

He also thanked the many hardworking staff who have worked with them over the past 20 years. ‘We have loved our time here and it’s now time to try something else,’ he added.