Hotel gets go-ahead for huge expansion

Hotel gets go-ahead for huge expansion

3 August 2016

ONE of the district’s leading hotels is set for major expansion.

Formal planning approval will be confirmed later today to for 24 new bedrooms and a 16,000 square foot spa and conference facility at the Millbrook Lodge Hotel in Ballynahinch as part of a substantial investment proposal.

The new development will allow the hotel to provide an enhanced range of facilities and significantly increase its workforce. The provision of the additional 24 bedrooms will take the hotel’s complement up to 40.

In addition to the proposed extension, significant work has been carried out on internal restructuring at the Drumaness Road hotel which is owned by the Maguire family. The main dining area has been completely refurbished, with new toilets provided. There are also plans for a new pre-function area.

Millbrook manager, Gerty McCaugherty, is delighted planners are recommending that work on the major expansion programme can begin, with the scheme set to be rubber-stamped by Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Planning Committee.

She continued: “As a family, we are very excited after a long wait of 18 months to hopefully get this development pushed over the line. Our plans include a pre-function area which will give our guests access to the beautiful gardens and much-needed additional bedrooms.

“At the minute, due to the hotel being a popular wedding venue, we are continually having to refuse additional stay over guests who would like to stay and visit attractions in the area.”

Mrs McCaugherty said the Maguire family feels Ballynahinch’s much-needed new by-pass will also go a long way in helping the town to get back on the map as the gateway to the Mournes, Downpatrick and Strangford, which are in easy travelling distance of Belfast.

She added: “We hope that the Millbrook Lodge Hotel will soon become the perfect base camp to discover the many jewels of Co Down and the ideal wedding resort and relaxing retreat in the Ballynahinch countryside.

“The hotel’s expansion of course also offers us the opportunity to expand our team, offering employment to those in our community and contributing to the local economy.”

Slieve Croob councillor, Garth Craig, said the exciting new Millbrook development is “great news for Ballynahinch and the wider district.”

He said the local council recognises how important tourism is to the local economy and is pleased the Millbrook scheme will be given permission to proceed.

“The Millbrook is a family run business which employs many local people and the major extension which is being proposed will provide the economy with a timely boost,” he continued. “This development is great news for Ballynahinch and will assist Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s drive to increase the number of visitors to our area.”

Councillor Craig added: “I am thrilled planners are recommending that this extension proceeds, given the positive implications it has for the town of Ballynahinch and indeed the wider district. “Tourism is a top priority for Newry, Mourne and Down Council and the Millbrook expansion will increase tourist accommodation in our area which is vitally important. This is a hugely significant investment in our district and provides a major boost for the local economy.”