Markethill’s hugely popular Village Inn and Buttery put up for sale

Plus, Gilford man says town's woeful state is 'mirror reflection' of residents' living conditions

May 06, 2025

Markethill’s popular Village Inn & Buttery complex – boasting bars and restaurant – has been placed on the market for sale.

One of the most popular venues in Co Armagh’s thriving hospitality scene, the search is on to find a new owner for the Main Street property.

The family-owned business has been a mainstay of the commercial heart of the County Armagh town.

Now neighbouring Hewitt Property Agents has listed it for sale as a going concern – the business will operate as normal until such point a buyer is found.

Gilford man says town's woeful state is 'mirror reflection' of residents' living conditions

Following Armagh I's report on the declining trade along Gilford's main street with the closure of Maginn's Centra, one local resident contacted this publication to say simply, "let this be a lesson".

And, he is now also calling for those he sees as responsible to be held to account.

The resident - who wished to remain anonymous - has lived in the area for approximately two decades and reports that he has seen the town failing for at least 10 of those years.

Understandably, in watching his home town decline to a state - that he now feels is "unfixable" - the conversation was fraught with emotion.

He said: "When I walk up the town I might not see anyone - not a sinner, not a person.

"It's clear now that it's too late. The writing's on the wall. Those in power have washed their hands completely of the place."

As a town, Gilford is essentially a nucleus where roads to and from Banbridge, Portadown, Lurgan, Tandragee and Scarva all convene - making it a constant thoroughfare for traffic.

As such, there is no shortage of passing trade and the town has additionally benefitted from the introduction of several new apartments and new build homes in the last five years.

It once also played host to one of Northern Ireland's largest Game Fairs, the National Countrysports Fair at Gilford Castle, which attracted thousands of visitors from across the country to the quaint County Down village.

It begs the question - why is it failing?

Trust's pre-op assessment team to relocate to Armagh from Craigavon Hospital

Pre-op assessments ahead of surgeries to be performed in Craigavon Area Hospital are to be carried out in Armagh, with plans to relocate the service, Armagh I can reveal.

And St Luke's Hospital, on the Loughgall Road, is the earmarked venue.

Previously, other services have been relocated from St Luke's to Craigavon Area Hospital, including the Bluestone unit.

Now the trend of services moving from Armagh looks set to reverse – certainly in terms of pre-op assessments.

For now the intention is to shift the surgical pre-operative assessments team completely from Craigavon to Armagh.

It is understood a total of 25 staff will be relocated and talks have been taking place with staff and trade union representatives.

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