TV Dragon Bobby Kerr has joined with Joe and Anne Barrett to re-open Bang Cafe on Merrion Row. The trio are believed to have bought the lease, name , fixtures and fittings from ACC Bank for around €200,000 and they plan to spend a further €100,000 on marketing. Bang was formerly owned by Simion and Christian Stokes, but closed in January when the owners encountered financial diffficulties. By then it has traded for ten years, had 25 staff and had an estimated annual turnover of €3m.
The new owners plan to continue the business as it was with just a few changes. Joe and Anne Barrrett are siblings of developer Richard Barrett who has an interest in the nearby Town Bar and Grill. Joe Barrett, who will head operations, has worked in restaurants for 20 years.
The management team will include Adrian O'Connor formerly of Elephant and Castle, Simon Barrett ( a nephew of Joe) and Phil Yeung, the former chef de cuisine at Town Bar and Grill.
