Dublin's landmark cafe faces legal battle for survival

A quintessential part of central Dublin's social and cultural life - previously thought to have been preserved against the march of modernity - is once again under threat due to a legal dispute.

Bewley's Cafe, the most famous in the Irish capital and prized as the long-time haunt of poets, artists and writers such as James Joyce, is to be the subject of a High Court battle, due to begin next month, which could threaten its survival.

The dispute will centre on the Bewley's premises in Grafton Street, Dublin's premier shopping street, where it has stood as a famous fixture for more than seven decades.

To general dismay, the iconic cafe actually closed briefly two years ago despite heartfelt appeals from the local council and many other sections of opinion. A former owner said at the time: "It's like part of Dublin dying." But the cafe was quickly given a reprieve and it opened again, under new arrangements but retaining the name which has for so long been associated with Grafton Street in particular and with Irish hospitality in general.

The premises, which are unusually large for a cafe, have always had a comfortable feel and an informal atmosphere in which shoppers, students and the population in general affably mingle, often sharing tables at busy times.

Novelist Maeve Binchy remembered spending more than an hour over a cup of coffee in her student days, relating: "We had to make it last because nobody wanted to leave the warm, happy coffee and sugar-flavoured fug and go out into the cold, rain-filled streets. And nobody had the price of another cup of coffee."

With Irish prosperity still riding high, Grafton Street has gone steadily up-market in recent years, with many high-profile multiples, including many international concerns, replacing smaller outfits.

The authorities are intent on discouraging new arrivals such as fast-food outlets and discount shops. But they classify Bewley's and a few other businesses as "major magnets" which they say ought to be protected since they are regarded as essential to the character of the street.

The impending legal proceedings involve Bewley's and its landlord, Treasury Holdings. The prime issue is said to centre on allegations that the cafe's owners sub-let part of the business and carried out renovations, in violation of the lease.

Bewley's said in a statement that it would "aggressively defend itself" against allegations that it had broken the terms of the lease on the building on Dublin's top shopping thoroughfare. The company said: "The landlord is alleging that Bewley's is in breach of its obligations under the lease of the Grafton Street premises, and is seeking the forfeiture of Bewley's lease, with the result that Bewley's would no longer be able to trade from the premises it has occupied since 1927."

The company said it appreciated "the strong support and goodwill it has received from employees, customers and the many other interested parties in the Grafton Street premises and business".