THE north's largest hospitality group has unveiled plans for a new £4 million hotel in Lisburn, creating 75 jobs.
Bill Wolsey, the founder of the Beannchor Group, which includes The Merchant and Bullitt Hotels as well as the Little Wing pizza chain, has announced plans for a 52-bedroom development at Lisburn Square.
The proposed new hotel will occupy approximately 30,000 sq ft of the existing scheme, comprising the former Argos store and adjoining first floor space. It will also feature a destination ground floor bar and restaurant accessed from the central Lisburn Square piazza and open to both residents and non-residents.
Subject to planning approval the hotel, which would be the first to be located in Lisburn city centre, is expected to open next summer.
Mr Wolsey believes the new hotel will provide a "major economic boost" for Lisburn.
"We already have a presence in Lisburn Square through our very successful Little Wing Pizzeria and have been working alongside the Square’s owners for the past six months to create the vision for a hotel that the people of Lisburn can be proud of.”
“Hospitality continues to be one of Northern Ireland’s most important industries and largest employers. We believe the creation of 75 new full time and part time jobs will be a major economic boost for Lisburn Square and the city," he said.
Nicky McCollum, development director at Lisburn Square can help breathe new life into the retail and leisure destination.
“The Merchant and Bullitt Hotels created in Belfast by the Beannchor team have been instant successes and are at the cutting edge of the hospitality industry in Northern Ireland.
“Further to our plans for the new hotel, it is our intention to attract other quality food and beverage operators to the Square in the short term and continue to create a family-friendly environment within the piazza, as well as stimulate the night-time economy.”
Commercial property agencies CBRE and GVA NI are acting on behalf of Lisburn Square as joint letting agents.
Luke McClelland, retail surveyor at CBRE added:
“Lisburn Square already hosts two award-winning restaurants in The Square Bistro and Little Wing Pizzeria, as well as the increasingly-popular Glasshouse Coffee Deli, and it is fantastic to now welcome Beannchor, one of Northern Ireland’s best-known hospitality providers.”
The proposed development from Beannchor comes just a week after Bill Wolsey walked away with one of the top awards at the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Dublin. Mr Wolsey, who employs more than 750 staff and last year recorded a 23 per cent increase in revenues to £23.7m across his 35 hotels, pubs and restaurants, scooped the Industry category gong in the awards initiative, now in its 21st year.
