Botanic Inns is branching out into east Belfast with the purchase of a café restaurant.

The pub company yesterday announced its purchase of Café Rouge on Upper Newtownards Road in Ballyhackamore. The premises will be its 16th outlet, joining pubs, hotels and off-licences in Belfast, Newtownards and Downpatrick.

Stephen Magorrian, managing director of Botanic Inns, said: “Targeting and securing successful and vibrant bars and restaurants has always been key to our corporate development and I’m delighted that we now have Café Rouge as part of the group.

“Ballyhackamore is a great area and we are looking forward to being part of this thriving community, getting to know the local people and serving them in the months and years ahead.”

He said Café Rouge would close at the end of December and reopen “with a new look and a new name” in February.

“We plan to transform the premises and provide east Belfast with a stylish, friendly bar and restaurant serving fresh local produce with a first class standard of service.”

The acquisition follows Botanic’s purchase of Denvir’s of Downpatrick and Molly Browns in Newtownards in 2008, and the Kitchen Bar in 2007.

Botanic Inns employ 600 people in 15 outlets. The company has won a range of awards, including UK Multiple Operator of the Year, 2008 and Belfast Business of the Year, 2007. It also won places in the Financial Times top 50 workplaces 2007 and The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2007 and 2009.