Coleraine’s Belfry Deli To Shut Retail Doors After 35 Years

A long-standing Coleraine food business is preparing to close its retail doors after more than three decades in the town centre.

The award-winning Belfry Deli, a familiar name in Coleraine since 1990, will cease its shop operations at the end of the month, bringing to an end 35 years of trading from its Abbey Street premises.

Owner Paul McCafferty first opened the deli in November 1990, having started the business with a £45 start-up grant and a strong belief that it could succeed.  Earlier this week we sat down to chat with him.

“It was November 28, 1990, and I sold one thing, a jar of ground coriander for 79p”, owner Paul McCafferty laughed. “I remember the brand too, Rajah, a wee green tub. My mother said to me, “What have we done?” And I said: ‘Give me a chance, it’s only my first day’. I just knew it could work.”

Over the years, the Belfry Deli became known for its artisan produce, freshly made sandwiches and commitment to local suppliers, building a loyal customer base in the process. However, Paul has now taken the difficult decision to close the shop after sustained declines in town centre footfall and rising operating costs.

Speaking to Explore Causeway Coast & Glens, he said: "The shop is closing in two weeks' time on 31st January after 35 years of being in retail. This is mainly due to the downturn in footfall in Coleraine town centre.

“I also run a supply business that provides local Spars, Centras and other retailers with pre-packed products, and that side is actually thriving. But the gap between the retail business and the supply business has become too wide.”

Paul said escalating costs, including rent, staffing and rates, have added further strain, making the retail operation increasingly difficult to sustain.

“I can’t keep throwing good money after bad when there’s nobody about,” he said. “I buy high-quality cheese and meat from specialist suppliers, and when that goes out of date - which is happening more and more - I simply can’t afford to dump that quality product. That’s never happened in 35 years, but it’s happening now.”

He also pointed to the relocation of Marks & Spencer from Coleraine town centre to Riverside Retail Park as a significant blow to local trade.

“It's the retail downturn – that is why the shop is closing, it's so very sad for me,” he explained. “The moving of M&S from the town centre was also a big factor for me. They were around the corner, and that was my type of customer who would pop into me after doing their shopping. But M&S moved to the Riverside Park and the customers went with them.”

The closure will result in four redundancies, a decision Paul described as particularly painful.

“I’m so distraught that I’ve had to take this decision,” he continued. “Two of my staff have been with me for 35 years. That’s the saddest thing of all.”

While the retail shop is closing, the Belfry Deli brand will continue through its wholesale supply and catering operations. Paul will remain based at Abbey Street with a smaller team of four, continuing to supply local retailers and providing platter and catering services across the north coast.

“The emphasis for me has always been freshness,” he added. “If you buy a sandwich, you should know it was made that day – that’s why I get up at 2am. The catering side is doing really well, and I’ve been asked to supply further afield, but I’m not interested. I want to serve this area, and I’ve always stuck to that ethos.”

Community support has always been central to the business, with the Belfry backing local sports clubs and organisations, including Bann Rowing Club, Owen Roe GAA, Coleraine FC, Coleraine Crusaders, as well as schools and youth groups. Paul said sponsoring his former primary school, St Malachy’s, was especially meaningful.

“Seeing my name and logo on their football strips and hoodies was a special moment,” he said. “Serving and supporting the community is very important to me...Shop local and support local.”

Paul’s connection to the food industry stretches back even further. In 1986, his parents, Anne and Jim, used his father’s redundancy payment from the textile sector to open the original Belfry Restaurant on Church Lane, a venture that became a landmark in Coleraine’s dining scene.

“It was a big gamble at the time, but it paid off,” he reflected. “What the Belfry Restaurant did back then was groundbreaking. It was a totally new way of offering food to local shoppers, visitors and staff. It offered affordable, high-quality food, and the queues were unreal because the food was so good. I took that baton and ran with it when we opened the deli.”

As the final trading day approaches, Paul paid tribute to those who have supported the business and encouraged customers to visit before the doors close.

“My biggest thank you goes to all my customers and family for their support, to my staff for their hard work, and to my suppliers for standing by us,” he added. “Our products are still out there, our catering service is still running, and the phone line is still open. Please come and see us even if it is for the first and last time!”

The Belfry Deli can still be contacted by phone on 028 7034 29060 or via its Facebook page.

Local MLA Maurice Bradley has described the closure as a significant loss for Coleraine town centre.

“This is deeply disappointing news for Coleraine and for everyone who values independent local businesses,” he said. “The Belfry Deli has been part of the fabric of the town for decades, providing quality food, local employment and a real sense of community. Paul and his family should be extremely proud of what they have built over 35 years.”

Mr Bradley added that the closure highlights the wider challenges facing town centres.

“This decision reflects the very real pressures many retailers are under, from rising costs to reduced footfall. It is important that we continue to look seriously at how we support town centres like Coleraine and ensure they remain viable places to trade, work and visit.”