A NEW CAFÉ has opened in a Co Roscommon town blighted by vacant buildings – and business in the opening weeks has been strong.

Cox’s Bistro opened on 25 July, and owner Adrian Cox said the response from locals has exceeded his expectations.

The interior of Cox's Bistro in Strokestown. Cox's Bistro Cox's Bistro

The Cox family, which also operates a steakhouse in Dromod, Co Leitrim, has history when it comes to hospitality in Strokestown.

They previously owned the town’s Percy French Hotel. When their construction company got into difficulty during the last recession, they lost the hotel, which went into receivership and was eventually sold. It is now operating under new owners.

The Church Street building in which the new cafe is located is owned by the Cox family and was previously rented to a hairdresser, who has retired.

“Along that street, it’s a sad sight to see all the businesses closed,” said Cox.

“There are 5,000 people in the surrounding area of Strokestown so we thought a few coffees would go down a treat, and they have.”

Church Street, Strokestown, pictured earlier this year. Google Maps Google Maps

Many other former businesses on Church Street and in the once vibrant market town have closed, in particular since the last recession. A 2023 report by Roscommon County Council estimated 35-40% of buildings in the town centre were vacant, and noted “dereliction throughout the town centre”.

It’s understood the vacancy rate has fallen since then. A long-term strategy for revitalising the town centre is now in place, “Strokestown 2040″. 

Rory Doyle, a member of the Strokestown Town Team, which brings together groups working to improve the town, said the cafe was the first new business to open in the town centre “in quite some time” – maybe five or 10 years.

“Rural Ireland has been hit hard, ever since the financial crisis,” Doyle said.

“I think it’s the tale of an awful lot of rural towns in the west of Ireland in that we don’t have very many large employers in the area. There hasn’t been the necessary investment to bring businesses to smaller towns.”

He said the 2040 strategy for the town has brought local positivity around “the direction of travel”. The Town Team will soon be able to announce another derelict site in the town being brought into community use, and there is ongoing discussion on the development of a public park.

Some residential buildings in the town are being done up aided by vacant property refurbishment grants, while the Town Team has obtained grant aid to ensure the upkeep of some vacant heritage buildings in the town.

‘Young people want coffees’

There is passing trade in Strokestown, which is located on the N5, the main Dublin-Mayo route, but Cox said it’s local customers in particular that the new cafe aims to serve. There has already been plenty of demand for frothy and iced coffees from younger customers, he said.

“I didn’t think it would be half as busy. It has exceeded my expectations,” Cox said.

“I worked all day on Saturday and there was a queue most of the day. I think young people want coffees now more than the pints of Coors or the pints of Guinness!”

The chicken panini has been the most popular choice on the menu, which also includes lots of other lunch and breakfast options.

Cox remarked that it wasn’t easy to open a new food business, with at least 18 months spent sorting out fire regulations, planning permission and other red tape.

Doyle, of the Town Team, said he remembered being brought by his mother for a hot chocolate at a now closed cafe at another location in Strokestown.

“For quite a number of years now, we’ve been without that sort of facility. It’s nice to have something in the centre of town again. More things like that in the centre of town to give people a reason to stop and stay in Strokestown is ultimately what we need.”