Portstewart man behind Ground Espresso Bars 'incredibly excited' to open store in Belfast city centre

The Portstewart man behind a successful chain of coffee shops has said he is “incredibly excited to open our newest store in the heart of Belfast city centre”.

Darren Gardiner’s Ground Espresso Bars has officially opened the doors to its newest Belfast location inside Next on Donegall Place, bringing its signature handcrafted coffee, fresh food, and relaxed atmosphere to the heart of the city centre.

The opening follows an investment of £280,000 and the creation of ten new employment opportunities.

Adding to its portfolio of 30 stores and employing over 240 people across Northern Ireland, this exciting new opening marks another major milestone for Ground. The locally-founded brand continues to grow across the UK and Ireland, creating modern social spaces.

Following an investment of £280,000 and ten new employment opportunities, Northern Ireland’s much-loved home grown coffee brand, Ground Espresso Bars, has officially opened the doors to its newest Belfast location inside Next on Donegall Place. CREDIT GROUNDplaceholder image
Following an investment of £280,000 and ten new employment opportunities, Northern Ireland’s much-loved home grown coffee brand, Ground Espresso Bars, has officially opened the doors to its newest Belfast location inside Next on Donegall Place. CREDIT GROUND

“Here customers can pause, recharge, and connect, while shopping in one of Belfast’s busiest retail destinations."

Speaking about the launch, Darren Gardiner from Ground Espresso Bars said: “We’re incredibly excited to open our newest store in the heart of Belfast city centre.

"Next on Donegall Place is a fantastic retail destination, and this new store allows us to bring the full Ground experience to even more customers.

Following an investment of £280,000 and ten new employment opportunities, Northern Ireland’s much-loved home grown coffee brand, Ground Espresso Bars, has officially opened the doors to its newest Belfast location inside Next on Donegall Placeplaceholder image
Following an investment of £280,000 and ten new employment opportunities, Northern Ireland’s much-loved home grown coffee brand, Ground Espresso Bars, has officially opened the doors to its newest Belfast location inside Next on Donegall Place

"This investment reflects our continued confidence in Belfast and our commitment to creating welcoming social spaces where people can enjoy exceptional coffee and food.”

Founded in Northern Ireland, Ground Espresso Bars has become one of the region’s most recognisable independent coffee brands, known for its focus on quality, community, and customer experience.

The store opening consolidates a strong period of growth for the company, as it expands its footprint across key retail and lifestyle destinations.

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