The popular Gateway Leisure complex in Belmullet has announced that it will be closing the doors on the business this coming Sunday, October 10.
The complex which consists of a ten pin bowling alley, children's play centre, arcade, mini-golf, function room, restaurant and bar has been open since April 2009.
Managing Director of the business, Enda Brogan in a statement this week outlined the reasons for the closure saying: "Gateway Leisure has been part of the Erris and North Mayo hospitality and tourism sector for over 11 years and we have welcomed customers through our doors to help them celebrate so many occasions together. The rising insurance costs of running a business and providing a product our customers want, has always been a balancing act and one we as a business have always appreciated and have dealt with.
"In 2019 we joined PALI (Play, Activity and Leisure Ireland ) in a bid to reduce the costs required to keep Kid Island, our children’s play centre open. Leisure activity has always been a major part to our offering within the complex.
"After being closed for 16 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we re-opened at the end of July 2021 just offering outdoor and then indoor dining in-line with government regulations. Our leisure activities remained closed. The soaring costs of insurance have left us, as a company, stunned.
"We have not seen our business return to the pre-Covid level and we have lost revenue and continue to lose revenue. The timing of the re-opening also narrowed the opportunities during the summer holiday period as well as reductions on the celebrations for communions, confirmation parties, birthday parties and other events.
"Gateway Leisure has always prided itself on offering an all-round family entertainment experience and dining venue to relax and enjoy, this model has been targeted by insurance firms making it very difficult going forward. We have been delighted to work with local Hotels, guest houses, Carne Golf Club, sporting clubs, youth groups, parish councils, families and most importantly children of all ages.
"I wish to pay tribute to my team who have joined me on this journey, they’ve risen to the challenge to work under the pandemic regulations and deliver the type of service people expect from us. Of course, some of our team have been with Gateway Leisure for longer and have been part of the Gateway family. Through their employment with us it has helped them either with accommodation costs to get through college, supported their families and the local economy.
"We wish to thank all the local community who have supported Gateway Leisure over the last 11 years and for all the memories we created along the way. We hope to reinvent our offering and deliver something new and exciting in due course that’s sustainable and further enhance the Erris region.
"If anyone has a voucher for Gateway Leisure they will be honoured in the Gateway until our last day of trading. After that as a gesture of goodwill, we have decided to redeem them in Frank Brogan Limited – Eurospar or Hardware in Belmullet where they can be exchanged for goods.
"This project was always personal to me as it realised an idea to provide the local community and the tourists visiting Erris something to do on a wet day and we have seen 1000’s of people come through our doors."
