A Co Down man has thanked the support his family has received during the time in business.
Oakley Fayre has been on Market Street in Downpatrick for over 40 years, serving hot drinks and treats, as well as breakfast and lunch. It was first set up by Darren Kearney's parents, but now he is in charge of the popular family spot.
With a huge focus on community, Darren says they are supporting local through the producers they work with, and other initiatives. While it is an enjoyable place to work, for a team who are more like family, the continued rise in energy costs is an issue for the business, like most.
Read more: The Co Down business serving the community for 120 years
Speaking to Belfast Live, Darren said they are proud that they have been supported for four decades, and hope that their customers continue the tradition.
"Oakley fayre has been on Market Street for 43 years," he added.
"My father and mother first opened the business and it was originally a home bakery and a stationary shop. They closed the stationary shop and kept the bakery going. They then opened the lounge out the back.
"Before mum and dad had it, it was the Northern Bar and in the back there were snugs. The men came in the front through the lounge door and women weren't allowed in. There is a lot of history with the building.
"I came on board after around 30 years, and I came from a chef background. I changed things up and started new foods. Over the years when the multinationals came in, it was hard to compete.
"We downsized and had nine shops at one stage, one in every town form here to Belfast and Kilkeel. We had a lot going on and then we just kept the one, in Downpatrick. We wanted to focus on producing good food and keeping it local and supporting local, which we continue to do.
"It has been fun and games over the last five years really, with Covid and now this energy crisis that we are in the midst of. We have held off as long as we could but for us, it is put the prices up or close the doors, that is where we are at and it is sad to say.
"For people to have to take the kick everyday is a lot. But they are coming and supporting us and we are all in this together."
Darren went on to praise the local community for its continued support over the years. With new businesses coming to the town, he says the traders have a good relationship, and stick together when times are tough.
He added: "Staff are a great bunch of people and I have girls who have worked with us forever ten years now. They have great loyalty and we are like a family, more than anything.
"Customers have been coming for decades and from day one. They continue to support us and we love to see them coming in. Each time they are in, they may have the exact same thing, and they have been having that for 40 odd years.
"Without the customers, we just wouldn't survive, that's it in a nut shell. It is import for us to build a community in the town and to try and let people know that we are here.
"It is not just a place for people to come and eat, they come in for a chat and to switch off and to get away from what is going on. We want to let people know that we will be here to support them. Everybody on the street is very close and everybody is very open and try to support one another as best we can. That is very important at the minute."
Video by Belfast Live videographer Harry Bateman.
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