Backing for new hotel plan

Backing for new hotel plan

23 November 2016

HOPES that the former Downpatrick PSNI station could become home to a new community-run hotel have taken a step forward.

Earlier this month it was revealed that Downpatrick Community Collective wanted to buy the listed building with the help of Newry Mourne and Down Council.

The social enterprise concept remains at an early stage but received the backing of the council’s Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism Committee at a recent meeting.

A council spokesman said: “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism Committee recommended that the Council work with Down Community Collective to assist the group to progress their proposals for the site, which include a number of uses.

“This assistance is subject to full Council approval at the next scheduled meeting December 2016.”

Downpatrick Community Collective has welcomed the development.

The group, which operates as an umbrella organisation for a number of local community groups, also held its annual general meeting on Thursday at Down County Museum.

Dan McEvoy, re-elected as chairman at the meeting, spoke of some of the successes of the past year and referred to the hotel scheme as their “biggest undertaking to date”.

“The aim of this proposal is to assist in the regeneration of Downpatrick town centre through the creation of new jobs, and through partnership working will increase tourism in the area,” he said. “In turn this will generate a much needed funding stream to local businesses throughout the local District Electoral Area. St Patrick is our most famous historical figure and the Lecale area has on offer a wealth of fascinating places to visit and learn about our Patron Saint. 

“The Collective hopes to provide the much needed platform on which an increased and sustainable tourism base can again be established – from which the whole town and local communities will benefit.”

Outlining the various community planning activities and youth diversionary programs their members had been involved in, he said IPB All Ireland Pride of Place Awards, Neighbourhood Renewal Celebrations, Legacy Council Inspiring Youth Awards, and most recently Department of Justice awards were testimony to the work of members who he thanked along with their many funders including Newry Mourne and Down Council.

“Our two main events were of course ‘Culture Night’ and ‘Halloween’,” said Mr McEvoy.” Both of which were bigger and better than our previous events and are now both firmly part of the annual calendar of events within Downpatrick. The prospects of the Collective assisting with both the Christmas tree switch on event and St Patrick’s Day event look more and more promising as we continue to demonstrate and prove our many combined skills and talents within the area of event management.”

As well as Mr McEvoy’s reappointment as chair at Thursday’s AGM, Lisa Perry was appointed vice-chair, John Gordon as Secretary, Eileen Smith as assistant secretary, Macartan Digney as treasurer and Peter Smyth as PR officer.