A COMPANY behind west Belfast’s only hotel has confirmed it will invest £2.5 million in a new expansion, creating 40 jobs.
The Balmoral Hotel in Dunmurry is set to build 26 additional rooms at the Blacks Road venue.
The hospitality business last week secured planning permission from Belfast City Council.
In a statement, the hotel said: “Currently we have 42 rooms and it is anticipated that this number will rise to 68 with planners giving approval for a 26 bedroom block, kitchen extension, stores, new reception and other internal alterations.
“It is expected that the new development will involve an expenditure of £2.5m and when opened will create 40 new jobs.
“The Balmoral Hotel has been in existence for over 60 years and the new work will further enhance the experience of our existing and new customers. We plan to increase the hotel’s rating from three stars to four stars which is a very exciting project.”
The hotel said the investment represents “a very positive news story" for the west Belfast economy, following a number of recent leisure investments in the area, including the Colin Glen golf and outdoor centre.
“We look forward to further local developments including the Casement stadium which can only further boost the local economy.”
The planning approval came almost four years to the day since administrators were appointed to the hotel.
Balmoral Inns LLP, which owned the hotel until 2016, was eventually liquidated last year.
According to a report filed by the administrators KPMG in February 2017, the hotel was put on the market in March 2016 with a £2.75m asking price.
The business and assets were sold in June 2016 for £4.4m, with all employees transferring to the new owner.
The sale saw some £2m paid to Bank of Ireland and Diageo, both of which had fixed charges over the hotel and its liquor licence.
The hotel’s new owner is HTH Hospitality, headed by west Belfast businessman John Trainor. His business interests include the Stix and Stones restaurant chain and Island Events.
The company is also partly controlled by Joanne Mulligan and Brendan Hurl.
