Whether it’s a birthday party, funeral, or you’ve come to an event, the Greyfrairs community interest club is likely somewhere you've once been. After having record days during the pandemic when businesses were allowed to reopen, the club is now struggling with ‘dramatically’ high bills.
Greyfriars on Gordon Road is in Thorneywood . Used historically by the Irish community, the club is now seeing a rise in diversity.
The club, where you can have a pint of Guinness and play, had a revamp during the pandemic and is now determined to beat high costs. Manager of the club, Paul Reddington and Gerry Kennedy, the director spoke about the club’s struggles.
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Gerry said: “Bills are going up dramatically and it’s been really, really difficult. Households are just about making ends meet and people are prioritising bills and food, some nights people come in for a quick pint after work and then it’s dead.”
The club has had to close a few days in the week if it’s quiet, unless someone may need it for a function. It isn’t always quiet however.
Gerry continued: “When it gets busier here, it’s buzzing. We’ve had days where we’ve smashed it and the staff have pulled it out the bag every time.
"Covid got people used to drinking at home and making man caves but you can never replicate a busy pub.” Greyfriars are ‘constantly recruiting’ with staff ‘coming and going.’
The club's busiest period is St Patrick’s Day right through to September. St Patrick’s Day is a time where the club sees a lot of familiar faces.
Gerry continued:“We still do stews and pies but we’ve seen people come here particularly from the African community and they bring their own stuff which is absolutely fine.”
Greyfriars has been well-established for decades and has previously been used as a drop-off point for a local food bank, now they’re keen to fundraise for Ukraine.
Last year, around £11,000 was raised for Ukraine. The next fundraising event will be on April 30.
Manager of the club, Paul Reddington said: “People have missed out on a couple of years of occasions that had been put on hold.
“The first year of trading after the pandemic was incredible. Now with prices, it has been hard.
“There’s only so much we can do to get people in with special offers but the ability to do that has been taken away because of the cost of living but I am confident we can beat it.” Paul who has been coming to the club since the age of 11 continued: “We have customers who have come here since the opening night, we still show Gaelic football.
“We’ve made the decision to close on quiet days to cut down on bills and wages. Personally, I hate it, I hate closing any day and if people need us, we will open for a funeral or football but it has been a great unknown.”
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