New council hotel plans go to public

New council hotel plans go to public

4 January 2017

DETAILS of a new survey identifying prime sites for potential hotel developments across the district are expected to be made public shortly.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council commissioned the survey which primarily examined sites in both Newcastle and Downpatrick, with the local authority working with the private sector to help formulate business cases which could lead to new multi-million pound developments.

The survey has been undertaken by senior council officials, with the provision of new hotels in the district one of the local authority’s main priorities as it aims to build on the area’s tourism offering.

Last year, politicians approved the findings of a so-called accommodation study which outlined a series of recommendations around the district’s future needs, highlighting the need for new hotels in Newcastle and Downpatrick in particular.

It’s understood council officials have been working with a number of developers across the district keen to provide new hotels and while the exact locations of potential sites have not 

yet been made public, the Annesley Buildings in Newcastle have previously been identified as a base for a new hotel in the resort.

The former Abbey Lodge Hotel site at the Belfast Road in Downpatrick has been purchased by a local businessman, but it is not yet known what the future plans are for this particular site which could be developed for a variety of uses.

A site at the Downshire Civic Centre in the town was previously examined by a potential hotel investor and was Down Council’s former Strangford Road headquarters. Both locations were subsequently deemed unsuitable.

Councillor Dermot Curran said the provision of new hotels in the district is one of the local authority’s main priorities as it recognises tourism is a growth area. He said new hotels will also create much-needed jobs and allow the district to expand its tourism offering.

Last July, plans for a new hotel at the rear of the Maxol station at New Bridge Street in Downpatrick  were unveiled but the proposal was subsequently rejected by planners who deemed the area unsuitable.

Councillor Curran said the district’s major towns would “benefit greatly” from new hotel investment and assist with their respective economic regeneration. He hopes the publication of the hotel survey paves the way for new investment.

“New hotels will create jobs, boost the construction industry and provide towns and the surrounding areas with a significant boost,” he continued.

“In addition to meeting the needs of local people, new hotels will also carve out a niche in meeting the requirements of the business and tourism sectors in the area.” 

Councillor Curran was confident new hotel investment will complement existing provision and issued a reminder that the need for more hotels in the district has been consistently highlighted. 

“Newcastle is widely regarded as the jewel in the district’s tourism crown and the current Newcastle Centre has been identified as a prime site for a new hotel,” he continued.

“I believe Downpatrick should have a town centre hotel to complement existing provision and encourage more visitors to stay in this area, boosting our tourism economy.

“I am pleased there is private sector interest in providing new hotels and hope it won’t be long before firm proposals are worked up.”

Councillor Curran said with Newry, Mourne and Down Council putting tourism at the top of its agenda and maximising the area’s many assets, it was important there was adequate hotel accommodation.