Barnams Cafe to close on Lisburn Road after 45 years

Barnams Cafe on Lisburn Road will shut at 5pm on Saturday 31 October after 45 years in business. Owner Aki McCullough told Belfast Live that rising rent meant the ice cream parlour could no longer continue.

Aki and Brian McCullough put the cafe up for sale in 2022. With no one able to take it over, they have now confirmed its final day of trading.

The South Belfast business has served three generations, offering breakfasts, lunches and cakes alongside more than 24 ice cream flavours. It describes itself as Belfast’s “most loved ice cream parlour”.

From family visits to running the cafe

Before taking over in 2010, Aki had memories of bringing her children to Barnams for ice cream during the summer. She has run the business for 16 years.

“I have owned it for 16 years and have met so many wonderful people. Thank you to all our lovely customers for all of your support,” Aki said.

The original premises, further down Lisburn Road, were destroyed three times. In 2012, Barnams moved to a larger cafe on the same road, which became its final home before Aki’s retirement.

“Barnams has been here for 45 years and will leave a legacy in the area – it breaks my heart that no one is able to take it over,” Aki said.

She expects the closure to upset customers who have known the cafe for years, and hopes they will visit before the final service to have an ice cream and say goodbye.

Source: Belfast Live