After living away from Fermanagh for over 30 years, Charlie Oldcroft returned to his home county five years ago, and in those five years he has truly made his mark on the local hospitality industry.

Following his success with The Moorings Restaurant in Bellanaleck, Charlie has recently secured the tender of two hospitality ventures at Fermanagh and Omagh District Council properties, namely the Ardhowen Theatre and Enniskillen Castle.

With the Café at Enniskillen Castle now open and the café/gallery bar at the Ardhowen due to open in the coming days, Charlie spoke to The Impartial Reporter about how it feels, not only to be back home living in Enniskillen, but running three hospitality businesses on the banks of Lough Erne.

When Charlie first took over The Moorings, he and his family were still living in Coleraine. Now they are back living in his childhood home of Enniskillen.

"When we came down five years ago, our slogan was 'bringing the taste of the North Coast to Fermanagh' but then we changed it to 'The Moorings at the heart of the community'," said Charlie, noting that the local community is very important to him.

Since taking over The Moorings, Charlie has seen great success, receiving recognition in The Northern Ireland Hospitality Awards: "We won the best casual dining restaurant in Fermanagh in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Then I won the best restaurant manager in Fermanagh in 2018 and 2019.

Following this success, Charlie is in the process of extending his portfolio of hospitality businesses in Fermanagh.

"We applied for the two Council properties and we found out about a month ago that we were the preferred bidder," he said, adding: "I suppose with both places not being opened fully for the last two years, there's a great opportunity for us to come in.

"I think it's [about] bringing in the model of good food, good service and a warm welcoming environment with casual dining."

Talking about his plans for the two Council venues, the Ardhowen and Enniskillen Castle, Charlie said: "For the Ardhowen, we want to turn the gallery bar into a wee VIP suite where people can come in at 6pm and have their prosecco, tapas and canapes before the show starts at 8pm.

"With the café here [at the castle] we want to be a part of what the Council are trying to do with visitor experience. The Council are doing their thing and we're complementing that. It's about bringing that honesty, integrity and transparency," he added, noting that he aims to use local produce and keep prices reasonable: "We're not gonna be the Ritz but you'll be made feel welcome. It's all about the visitor experience."

Calling being back working in Fermanagh "incredible", Charlie said: "For me I used to walk in past the Castle to go to town, to go to church and now I'm in here providing the food and it's just incredible.

"And just to sit at the Ardhowen and watch the boats going past.

"It's just incredible to be back home and to be a part of two iconic places, like the Castle and the Ardhowen, but also having been successful in The Moorings, it's just incredible to think it was somewhere I used to go 30 years ago and now I'm running it.

"These are the good old days. It's a great journey, a great ride to be on," he told this newspaper.