Historic yacht club forced to close dining facilities
The Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC), based in Crosshaven, Co Cork, confirmed yesterday its dining facilities will be closed until April at least, after a slump in business over the last 12 months.
The club hosts Cork Week, one of Ireland’s biggest sailing events, every second year. It is already planning for the next regatta which takes place from June 30 to July 6, 2012.
The club and village is usually buzzing during Cork Week but it experienced a downturn in all club dining support in the past year.
Club admiral Paddy McGlade played down the closure and said the restaurant has been closed temporarily before during seasonally quiet periods.
But this year, the RCYC has been forced to make its restaurant manager redundant, and place the chef on temporary lay-off.
“This decision was not taken lightly,” Mr McGlade said in an email to members.
“We experienced a significant downturn in all club dining support during 2010 and while this is unfortunate we must be realistic and run the club in the most prudent manner so as to protect members’ interests and minimise the exposure of members to losses.”
He said while the club has a healthy bank balance, it would be inappropriate to use cash reserves to sustain a loss-making operation.
Event booking is still available for weddings and parties.
The dining operations are being reviewed and Mr McGlade said they hope to reopen with an arrangement which will be in the best interests of the membership.
