Bar 44 closes original Cowbridge site

The original Bar 44 site in Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan has closed after nearly 20 years as the site came to the end of its lease and the owners decided not to renew in the face of Covid restrictions.

The restaurant has not been able to open since March 2020 due to two-metre social distancing restrictions. The owners said they hope it is “only goodbye for now and that we will be back in Cowbridge at some point very soon”.

A post on social media said: “We are devastated to have to tell you that we will be closing the Cowbridge Bar 44 with immediate effect.

“Our Cowbridge restaurant and bar has not been open since March 2020 due to the current two-metre Covid restrictions in place.

“Our lease has now come to an end and it is just not the right business decision to sign a new lease without any end in sight to the relaxation of the social distancing Covid-related rules in Wales, and the return to normal trading.”

The site was opened by brothers Tom and Owen Morgan in 2002, offering Spanish food and drink. The Bar 44 Group has since grown to three further outlets in Penarth, Cardiff and Bristol, which will reopen when permitted.