No sunset yet for The Sunflower

Owner of the Sunflower public house, Pedro Donald, tells LCN that he won’t be backing down as developers attempt to flatten one of the city’s favourite bars…

Were it not for the unmistakable Belfast lilt evident in the ebb and flow of conversation, those visiting the quirky Sunflower bar in the heart of the city centre, could be forgiven for thinking they’d stumbled into the bucolic bosom of deepest Ireland.

Located on the corner of Union Street and Kent Street, it’s an oasis of traditional Irish heritage; its warmth and simplicity contrasting with the industrial aesthetic of city life.

On any given night, patrons can choose between improvised performances on the pipes, the bodhran, and the guitar in the downstairs bar or move upstairs to enjoy anything from comedy to alternative rock.

It’s a relaxed approach that’s made the bar one Belfast’s most popular retreats – and secured a cult following among those who value culture over cosmetics.

“We didn’t try to be clever with themes or gimmicks; it’s just a corner pub, and that’s all it needed to be,” owner Pedro Donald tells LCN. “We just kept it simple.”

But things became a lot more complicated for the bar in July last year, when a £300m private sector investment scheme was unveiled for the area – and as part of that project, The Sunflower was to be demolished.

Northside Regeneration was selected by the Department for Social Development (DSD) to deliver the Northside Urban Village Regeneration Implementation Plan, which involves building a 710-bed student accommodation in the city centre.

The plan also encompasses the redevelopment of much of the city between Library Street and Donegall Street, where the Sunflower has had its home since Pedro took it on more than three years ago.

“The developers tried to buy the properties that fell within the plan that weren’t available, so we we’re asked to sell-up and go, but we refused,” explains Pedro.

It was a popular decision, especially among the bar’s regular visitors who include more than a few authenticity-hungry tourists.

“We’re not against development of the area, we welcome it,” says Pedro. “But what they’ve done is draw a big red line around the area, and decided it should be flattened and built up again.

“We’ve spoken to a number of experts who have all said the same thing – that’s not how it’s done anymore. It’s so out of date, and it’s like something out of the dark ages.

“Why not keep the existing buildings that are working, that have historical value, and redevelop around them.

“There are good examples of this approach throughout the world: Temple Bar in Dublin; Detroit; Barcelona; even the Cathedral Quarter.”

While pressure mounted on Pedro to part with the beloved business, January brought reprieve when it emerged the developers had neglected to submit an environmental impact report on time.

“It gives us a bit of breathing space,” remarks Pedro.

The positive news also followed popular protest, with a petition to save the bar attracting over 5,000 signatories. An outburst of support that Pedro – who has been in the bar trade for 35 years – described as “incredible”.

“The online petition was started by a customer, also a musician that plays in the bar, Stuart Lunn,” he says. “I hadn’t asked him to do it, and the reaction has been incredible. Some of the comments left on the campaign page are really touching.”

The pub itself – which is on the site of the former Avenue Bar – is well-known locally for the security cage that still surrounds its front door. It’s a deliberately-retained throwback to the height of the Troubles in the 80s and a source of much interest among the tourists.

But the surge in popular support for Pedro isn;t the end of the story – it may barely constitute a beginning.

Northside Regeneration is understood to be resubmitting its application, although the bar could still be subjected to compulsory purchase.

“They’ll have to compensate us for the cost of the building and then also for the value of the business,” adds Pedro. “With the business improving all the time, the longer this goes on the more it is to our advantage.”

So, as everyone waits to learn the final fate of the Sunflower, each day that goes by could well be adding to the eventual costs for planners.

You can find the campaign page at www.change.org by searching for ‘save the Sunflower Bar’.