THE north's largest hospitality group has received planning approval for a new £4 million Lisburn hotel.
The Beannchor Group, which also operates the Merchant and Bullitt Hotels in Belfast, has been granted planning permission for a 52-bedroom development in Lisburn Square, which is set to create 75 jobs when it opens this autumn.
The new hotel, to be known as The Haslem, will be the first located in Lisburn city centre, with construction work due to begin next month.
It will occupy around 30,000 sq ft of the existing retail and leisure scheme, comprising the former Argos store and adjoining first floor space.
An artist’s impression of The Haslem reveals a contemporary look and feel to the venue, with a glass fronted ground floor façade. The urban styled hotel will also feature a lobby bar and restaurant, resident's gym, conference room and underground car park.
The property, which is aiming for 4-star status, is an entirely new concept for Beannchor, which owns and operates some of Northern Ireland’s leading hotels and hospitality venues, as well as eight Little Wing Pizzerias.
Beannchor managing director, Bill Wolsey said the latest investment is a response to demand for "high quality hospitality" in Lisburn.
“Our vision for The Haslem is to create a stylish, urban space that will enhance the hospitality offering of Lisburn city centre, "Mr Wolsey said.
"The success of our Little Wing Pizzeria in Lisburn Square showed that there is a clear demand for high quality hospitality venues in the city and gave us confidence in this investment.
“We are passionate about the creation of new and exciting concepts that meet and exceed the needs of the modern hotel guest. We hope that this new hotel, which will have its own distinct personality, look and feel, will be a fresh, vibrant new space that the people of Lisburn can take great pride in."
“We are also proud to provide a significant economic boost to the city, with the creation of 75 full and part time roles; and we believe this could be the catalyst to entice other businesses to invest in the area," he added.
The Beannchor Group is Northern Ireland’s largest hospitality group and employs more than 750 staff. Last week the group completed a £350,000 refurbishment of The National bar in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter.
