AJ’s Diner Gets New Kitchen Fitout after Fire.
Devastating Kitchen Fire Shuts Down AJ’s Diner in Crossgar
In December 2023, on Boxing Day, a severe fire tore through the kitchen of AJ’s Diner in Crossgar, County Down, causing extensive damage. Firefighters battled the blaze for hours, with over 50 personnel attending the scene. The fire destroyed the kitchen and rendered the diner inoperable, leaving the popular eatery closed for over a year.
Thanks to the swift actions of local residents, who moved 15 gas cylinders from the rear of the building, a larger disaster was averted. No one was injured, but the building was left gutted — particularly the back-of-house area where the kitchen once operated.
Complete Commercial Kitchen Refit by CBS Northern Ireland
When the time came to rebuild, AJ’s Diner turned to CBS, Northern Ireland’s trusted name in catering appliances and commercial kitchen services. CBS supplied and installed a complete suite of professional kitchen equipment, helping the team at AJ’s get back on their feet.
From high-performance cooking ranges to under-counter refrigeration, ventilation systems, and hot holding stations, CBS provided everything needed to restore the diner’s kitchen to a fully operational state — ensuring compliance with health, safety, and food service standards.
Fire Recovery and Kitchen Renovation: A Testament to Resilience
The fire damage required the building to be stripped back to the brickwork, with a full internal renovation taking place. AJ’s Diner owners remained committed to reopening and reassured the community that they would return — and they have.
CBS worked closely with the team to plan an efficient kitchen layout, install durable stainless steel counters, prep stations, and energy-efficient appliances that could handle high volumes of food service while maximising space and workflow.
AJ’s Diner Reopens for Business — Just in Time for Mother’s Day
After more than a year out of operation, AJ’s Diner reopened in March 2025, just in time for Mother’s Day weekend. While the business is currently operating at limited capacity, the newly installed commercial kitchen has allowed the team to begin welcoming customers back.
The reopening marks a major milestone in AJ’s recovery journey — a project that demonstrates how expert support from companies like CBS can help hospitality businesses bounce back after disaster.
Supporting Hospitality Businesses Across Northern Ireland
CBS is delighted to see AJ’s Diner emerge and recover with a full kitchen fit-out any restaurant would love, that meets all modern commercial standards. With a commitment to working alongside independent hospitality venues, CBS continues to offer equipment supply, installation, and service support across Northern Ireland.
If your business is looking to upgrade its kitchen, recover after an incident, or needs a tailored solution for your catering setup — get in touch with CBS today.
