Famous faces give Lillies coffers a lift in 2013

Superstars Rihanna and Niall Horan from One Direction have added to the coffers to Lillies Bordello as the firm operating the venue recorded an increase in profits of €283,000 last year.

New figures show that the company behind the night-club increased its accumulated profits from €2.278m to €2.56m in the 12 months to the end of February 29th 2013.

Nightclub boss, Oliver Hughes said illie's Bordello is enjoying "moderate growth".

Mr Hughes was commenting on figures showing that Noyfield Ltd increased its profits by €282,740 last year.

Mr Hughes and his cousin, Liam Lahart head up the Porterhouse pub business group that employs 400 people across its pub network in Dublin, London and New York.

Noyfield Ltd is the firm behind Lillies Bordello and the adjoining Porterhouse Central bar.

“Lillies Bordello is there 22 years now,” Mr Hughes said. “It is a challenging business environment for nightclubs and the business is stable and has shown moderate growth this year and last year.”

Mr Hughes said that the lines are blurred in the nightclub industry at the moment where night-club owners have to compete with late night bars “and you have to adapt”.

Mr Hughes said that he would like to think that the group business has turned the corner, pointing out that the Porterhouse Group has employed an additional 15 to 20 people over the past year.

The recent expansion includes the opening of the group’s Dingle Distillery in Co Kerry.

Mr Hughes and Mr Lahart purchased the Grafton Street venue for a reported €5.5 million in 2004.

Mr Hughes said below-cost selling of alcohol is the biggest threat to the nightclub business at the moment and called on the Government to act.

He described the current situation represents “a free for all” that is “bad for everyone”.

The abridged figures for Noyfield Ltd show that the firm’s cash pile last year reduced from €344,050 to €200,343.

The profit last year takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of €236,214.