The Bucks Head

Success Story 12 August 2024

Under new owners, Alex Greene and Bronagh McCormick, the popular Co Down restaurant, bar and guestrooms underwent major refurbishment ahead of a grand re-opening in April 2024.

Region/Nation Northern Ireland
Sector Hospitality, Accommodation and Food Service Activities
Programme Investment Fund for Northern Ireland
Partner
Photo of Bucks Head owners Alex Greene and Bronagh McCormick with Una Warnock from Whiterock and Mark Sterritt from British Business Bank

It was a homecoming for talented Dundrum chef, Alex Greene who began his career washing dishes and preparing vegetables in The Bucks Head. Alex went on to work in restaurants around the world including Michelin star establishments, most recently at Deanes EIPIC where he was Head Chef.

He also starred in two seasons of the Great British Menu and has appeared in the BBC series, B&B By The Sea.

At Deanes, Alex worked alongside his business partner, Bronagh, who was General Manager of the Deanes Restaurant Group for 13 years. Bronagh has a hospitality degree and has spent her whole career working within the hospitality sector.

The Investment Fund for Northern Ireland loan is being utilised across a number of areas within the business, including the refurbishment of the premises, a new kitchen, an upgrade of three upstairs guestrooms, and the recruitment of staff.

Bronagh said the timing was right for her and Alex to make the move to Dundrum.

The Bucks Head is somewhere which means a great deal to Alex and, as the previous owners were retiring, we felt the time was right to go into business together.

The Investment Fund for Northern Ireland loan has supported us in bringing our vision for The Bucks Head to life and driving the next stage of growth. We found the team at Whiterock very accommodating to work with and the process was straight-forward and efficient. We are delighted with how everything went so smoothly.

- Bronagh McCormick Co-Owner, The Bucks Head