Jay Bourke appears to have raised the hackles of some of his former staff when he closed down his last remaining Cafe Bar Deli outlet in Cork last month.

CBD’s Dublin outlets succumbed during the recession, but the Cork outlet, limped along until he pulled the plug two weeks ago. A sign appeared on its door the next day signed by its manager, thanking suppliers and customers for their support, “especially over the last few years, which have been difficult”.

“I, as manager, was informed [of the closure] by text message by the director last night,” it stated, somewhat pointedly. “We would not have been able to remain open without the support of suppliers, who have continued to do business with us in good faith. For this, I am truly grateful.... Please direct all further enquiries to Mr Jonathan Bourke, Director.”

The closure notice helpfully included Bourke’s mobile number and personal email address. Just in case anyone wanted to contact him, like.

A snap of the notice is currently doing the rounds on social media, where it has attracted a barrage of negative commentary from Leeside denizens over the way the closure was allegedly handled.

I tried ringing Bourke to ask him about it but it rang out and I couldn’t leave a voicemail. “The recipient’s mailbox is full,” said the kind lady. I wonder why.

Bourke called back and said he did inform the manager of the closure by text, “but only because it was late in the evening”. He said he drove from Dublin to Cork the next day to pay the staff’s wages and formally tell them of the closure.

“Look, I’m sorry it had to close and I know it was sudden. I tried to put together a rescue package, but it just didn’t work. It’s sad, because the Cafe Bar Deli dream is now officially over.” RIP CBD.