The Kitchen and Foodhall in Portlaoise closes down...

Danno

Sad interview...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFUYYy4w4_w&feature=autoshare

fitefuaite

I'm literally only after hearing it.

Can't believe it.... It was one of the busiest and best known places in Portlaoise..

byhookorbycrook

ah what a pity.

enviro

Shocked to say the least... Upward only rent reviews must be stopped.

Danno

enviro wrote: »

Shocked to say the least... Upward only rent reviews must be stopped.

Indeed... and our county councils must look at rate collections in a different way... it should be fairer to abolish rates in favour of a 1% turnover tax or something along those lines...

MidlandsM

The landlord DOUBLED the rent alledgedly. From what i understand, Humes are the landlords.......SHAME ON THEM.

Danno

MidlandsM wrote: »

The landlord DOUBLED the rent alledgedly.

Cut, nose, spite, face, springs to mind.

MidlandsM

29 years..................so hard.

Crann na Beatha

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FreudianSlippers

Wow I can't believe it. Where to go now for a good coffee?

MidlandsM

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

Wow I can't believe it. Where to go now for a good coffee?

the cafe on the theatre do a nice one.

FreddyKreuger

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

Wow I can't believe it. Where to go now for a good coffee?

The new place at the end of the town opposite Shaws.

jack of all

I used to frequent Jim's years ago, when it was just a small place. It's a huge loss for Portlaoise as he put the town on the map where food was concerned and he ran a good business (a little expensive for me!). Hopefully he'll find another (better) premises and start again, no doubt he would enjoy great local support.

MidlandsM

I think there's no doubt he'll start up again. Lots of premises for him to choose from, and upwards only rent agreements are now illegal, so its a good time to restart.

mamakitten

I read about it in the paper toady, very sad alright, even more so if its true about the landlord doubling the rent :mad:. I would say Jim will start up somewhere else but its not fair, he shouldnt have to after 29 yrs here!

Shazanne

That Hume crowd should be boycotted - and told why! I'm only living in Portlaoise for three years but I loved Jim's Kitchen - not just the food (excellent) but the general atmosphere. And Jim himself seemed like a good, hardworking guy - always on hand himself and very helpful.
If landlors continue to get away with this they country has no hope whatsoever of recovery. When someone managed to keep a business afloat in this day and age and keep employing local people they should be encouraged, not shut down.:mad:

Crann na Beatha

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wildefalcon

I can only say I'm shocked, and saddened at this news.

If it was due to an upward rent review then the landlord deserves boycotting.

Best of luck to Jim and his crew, his place was the best thing about Portlaoise.

elvis jones

Its the rent AND the council.

Its disgusting, i've only had food there once but it was lovely. I'd love to see him opening else where. BUT i would ask after 29 yrs why he hasn't bought his own place ???

sas

Couple of things here.

First off Hume Auctioneers was sold years ago to another fellow, the name of the business was retained as often happens.

Has it been confirmed that Mr. Hume actually owns the property before the mob descends on his house?

As Elvis pointed out, the rent was flagged as an issue. The rates and water charges were too. I find it strange that a private individual (i.e. the landlord) is taking all of the flack here while government (local and otherwise) who constantly prove their ineffectiveness to support small business get's off scot free!

Also, keep in mind that the rent that was previously being charged MIGHT have been lower than the going rate now. It would depend on the terms of the lease in place.

If you were the landlord on a premises where the terms were massively below market value for the last 5 years due to changing market conditions, would you not look to increase the rents to current rates? Is it your problem that the business is no longer viable? All I'm trying to point out here is that things are rarely as clean cut as is being made out here.

I think it is very sad to see a land mark business close. Slowly but surely that side of Portlaoise along with main street is getting very run down. It would be great to see that business reappear else where but I have my doubts. Rents on properties of the required size in Portlaoise are very restrictive, I can speak to this from personal experience recently. Location is key for a restaurant which restricts it further.

Here's hoping.

FreddyKreuger

wildefalcon wrote: »

his place was the best thing about Portlaoise.

Bit of an over-exaggeration.

enviro

FreddyKreuger wrote: »

Bit of an over-exaggeration.

In food terms I suspect

wildefalcon

FreddyKreuger wrote: »

Bit of an over-exaggeration.

Ok, what else is good about Portlaoise? I mean, really, really, good, better than other towns, better than adequate, better than so-so.

I can't think of any, but I'd love to find some.

elvis jones

wildefalcon wrote: »

Ok, what else is good about Portlaoise? I mean, really, really, good, better than other towns, better than adequate, better than so-so.

I can't think of any, but I'd love to find some.

Friday lunch in the kingfisher................

cakes from mc cormacks..............

**Vai**

Zam Zam! When it was Zam Zam, now, not so much.

I think its safe to say Jims was not the best thing our town has to offer. Dont get me wrong the place is a kip but its better than most of the surrounding areas. Then again, I rarely frequented Jims, cheap kebabs are more my thing than over priced coffee.

Crann na Beatha

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wildefalcon

Jims was damn good, as in serious foody good. Better than Tullamore, Newbridge, Kildare, maybe Kilkenny.

Second rate curry house? Nah, Chippers? Nah. Get them anywhere.

Not convinced yet.

DO better.

Crann na Beatha

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FreddyKreuger

wildefalcon wrote: »

Jims was damn good, as in serious foody good. Better than Tullamore, Newbridge, Kildare, maybe Kilkenny.

Overpriced tray food. I think not. I can find the same, if not far better in any of the towns you just mentioned. Portlaoise is a kip and especially food wise. If I had to choose a good food place, I'd go with Lemon Tree. Square Meal is alright too. Mayur also is good.

The Princess Bride

Have to say I agree Portlaoise is a bit of a kip- especially in late evenings,some of the clientele a bit dicey, but it was always touch and go,even a few decades ago.
- however, few nice pubs(Kavanaghs comedy club is good craic), few nice restaurants( Mayur,Spagos...) and the Dunamaise theatre.....
like everywhere, it's up to us to get out and make use of what's there,no?

MidlandsM

sas wrote: »

Has it been confirmed that Mr. Hume actually owns the property before the mob descends on his house?

are you in an amateur dramatics society?

FreddyKreuger wrote: »

Bit of an over-exaggeration.

Re; Jims food, yes, overpriced and too rich, staff could be surly too, but it was a good employer and a gastronomic mainstay for lunch and coffee in Portloaise for a long time.

wildefalcon wrote: »

Ok, what else is good about Portlaoise? I mean, really, really, good, better than other towns, better than adequate, better than so-so.

I can't think of any, but I'd love to find some.

Good swimming pool, astro turf pitches, good people (scumbags excepted)

Veles wrote: »

Golden Grill!
nyom nyom :pac:

yes, Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....nom nom:)

sas

MidlandsM wrote: »

are you in an amateur dramatics society?

When I start reading "boycott" etc. certain images come to mind...

MidlandsM

sas wrote: »

When I start reading "boycott" etc. certain images come to mind...

pitchforks..........:pac:

Shazanne

I am only living in Portlaoise for three years and it disappoints me to hear it being referred to as a "kip". I dont work in the town so I'm not here during the day but I have to say I have found most places (including Jim's Kitchen) to be quite good.
Could I ask if it is the local people (ie natives) who are referring to the town as a kip? Most people I now that have moved here seem to be fairly happy.

FreddyKreuger

Shazanne wrote: »

I am only living in Portlaoise for three years and it disappoints me to hear it being referred to as a "kip". I dont work in the town so I'm not here during the day but I have to say I have found most places (including Jim's Kitchen) to be quite good.
Could I ask if it is the local people (ie natives) who are referring to the town as a kip? Most people I now that have moved here seem to be fairly happy.

Born and raised in Portlaoise and I have no problems in calling it a kip.

Shazanne

I find that so sad. If you think of others twons around the country who have no leisure facilities, no great shopping facilities, no parks etc, surely Portlaoise must be deemed better than those.
Why do you think its a kip and what town around here would you consider to be better?

sydthebeat

i visit a lot of laois towns quite regularly and portlaoise has an awful lot going for it for a county town.
When the works finally finish for the shopping center extension you will have a retail area to rival whitewater in newbridge and better than anything tullamore has.

as towns in laois go, mountrath is the most depressing.. colourless and bland.
rathdowney is no better, too much concrete and tar and not enough plantation.
Mountmellick is slightly better but still lacks so many facilities for a town of its size.
Abbeyleix is lovely to visit and appreciate, but theres not much in it for the inhabitants.. a few pubs, one newsagents, depressing supermarkets.. thats about it.

Portarlington has pretty much doubled in population in 15 years, so there are some facilities but not enough to match its size. It never appears attractive or clean either, not from a litter sense, but more from derelict buildings.

MidlandsM

sydthebeat wrote: »

Abbeyleix is lovely to visit and appreciate, but theres not much in it for the inhabitants.. a few pubs, one newsagents, depressing supermarkets.. thats about it.

you're so wrong about Abbeyleix, Bramleys cafe is a fantastic little place to eat and shop/browse, Mac's restaurant is booked solid every weekend, then there's preston house, Morrisey's pub, the new library........

elvis jones

MidlandsM wrote: »

you're so wrong about Abbeyleix, Bramleys cafe is a fantastic little place to eat and shop/browse, Mac's restaurant is booked solid every weekend, then there's preston house, Morrisey's pub, the new library........

And a motorway to bypass it;):D

sydthebeat

MidlandsM wrote: »

you're so wrong about Abbeyleix, Bramleys cafe is a fantastic little place to eat and shop/browse, Mac's restaurant is booked solid every weekend, then there's preston house, Morrisey's pub, the new library........

.. im considering a little more.....

moose112

A lot of rumors going around about Jims about rent hikes and rates. A few rumors i have heard are rent not paid for months, suppliers owed thousands and for the last week of business no lazer or credit cards accepted only cash.

MidlandsM

moose112 wrote: »

A lot of rumors going around about Jims about rent hikes and rates. A few rumors i have heard are rent not paid for months, suppliers owed thousands and for the last week of business no lazer or credit cards accepted only cash.

I heard that too. I also heard he served Shergar Meat Stew way back when the kidnapping took place. He was offered the meat on the cheap at the time, but no one was the wiser.:rolleyes:

Hesh's Umpire

wildefalcon wrote: »

Ok, what else is good about Portlaoise? I mean, really, really, good, better than other towns, better than adequate, better than so-so.

I can't think of any, but I'd love to find some.

The gaelic football team.

moose112

MidlandsM wrote: »

I heard that too. I also heard he served Shergar Meat Stew way back when the kidnapping took place. He was offered the meat on the cheap at the time, but no one was the wiser.:rolleyes:

WTF??

It seems everyone is blaming the landlord without anyone knowing the true facts.

Crann na Beatha

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Evolution Enter

Bit of a harsh comment about Mountrath a few posts up! Sure, half the town has shut down in the last year, a headline that didn't make it onto the front page of any paper, but it's the same all over. Portlaoise's Main Street is heading for serious trouble, so I wouldn't be calling anywhere else to bland just yet.

I mean have a look at the businesses on Main Street and start counting the ones struggling and on the way out! ****in' council may take a long look at how they raise their finances and then spend them

artful_codger

The govt brought it very helpful VAT and PRSI reductions for restaurants last week, i'm sure this fella will be back in business soon.

**Vai**

Shazanne wrote: »

I am only living in Portlaoise for three years and it disappoints me to hear it being referred to as a "kip". I dont work in the town so I'm not here during the day but I have to say I have found most places (including Jim's Kitchen) to be quite good.
Could I ask if it is the local people (ie natives) who are referring to the town as a kip? Most people I now that have moved here seem to be fairly happy.

Yep, born here almost 29 years ago and have lived here for the majority of those. Trust me its a kip, its my kip though.

Crann na Beatha

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wildefalcon

Veles wrote: »

Its a kip that has a very special place in our hearts

So has cholesterol.

It's a kip destroyed by incompetent planning, indifferent councillors and inept local authorities.

Without the public sector employees it would be bust a long time ago.

goat2

i have travelled the length and breath of this country, and have been all over europe and a couple trips to america in the past twelve yrs, i was in portlaoise about eight to ten months ago and spent the day idling around waiting for family member on business there, while there i went for lunch in this restaurant, on that day, i was blown away, the food was absolutely beautiful, service was friendly and first class, the place was busy, i am bitterely disappointed to hear this, it is a pity these rent and other fees are not brought in line with the downturn in this mans earnings, it will be a big loss to the town in terms of brilliant restaurant and employment, meaning more people facing dole que, it is a place that stood out for me, i wish this gentleman very good luck and hope he can carry on running a great business if not in those premises at the proper charges, then some other premises,