Plans to turn ex-PSNI station into new hotel

Plans to turn ex-PSNI station into new hotel

9 November 2016

DOWNPATRICK’s former police station could become home to a new community-run hotel.

The Irish Street site has been earmarked by the Downpatrick Community Collective, which wants to purchase it with the help of Newry Mourne and Down Council.

The concept is at a very early stage but the Collective — a non-profit body which represents a number of community groups in the town — believes there is a significant tourist opportunity.

The Collective has lodged an interest with the PSNI and also held preliminary meetings with the council. The fact that the old police station is a listed building will pose restrictions at the site but is also expected to attract heritage funding.

The Downpatrick Masterplan has highlighted the need for a new hotel in the town, and land at the old Downe Hospital site has been mooted as a potential solution to the lack of accommodation but there have been no definite proposals.

Hopes for a new 40-bedroom boutique hotel on land at the rear of Church Street in Downpatrick were also recently dashed after planners said a flood plain and proximity to the Mound of Down made the sight unsuitable.

Downpatrick Community Collective chairman, Dan McEvoy, said the proposal was for Newry Mourne and Down Council to purchase the site and transfer it to the Collective in what is known as an asset transfer, to then be run as a social enterprise. He said a recent meeting with the council on the issue had been encouraging.

“We are working with the Development Trusts NI charity to progress the idea,” he said. “They specialise in helping groups take on and develop ideas to asset transfer.

”We have to do a business plan, it is at a very early stage.”

Mr McEvoy said the facility could be mix of quality three-star standard bed and breakfast accommodation, hostel accommodation and possibly some self catered accommodation.

“We would also have funding to provide for other groups to use the site,” he said. “For example, the Hub in Downpatrick needs new premises and this sort of facility could provide a social hub. It could help rejuvenate and regenerate Downpatrick and provide employment.”

Mr McEvoy said he believed there was huge potential to exploit coach tours to the St Patrick’s Centre, and that they were missing out on interest from other tours due to a lack of overnight accommodation.

“What we are thinking is that we could attract a proportion of these to stay over and hold Irish themed evenings for American tourists, Irish story telling sessions and provide links to local historic sites.”

Mr McEvoy said the Collective’s proposals had received a cautious welcome from local politicians.

“We have raised it at DEA (District Electoral Area meetings),” he said. “All the Downpatrick councillors are aware of it. They have welcomed it tentatively. It has not received any negative commentary.”

He added: “This facility cannot be a drain on the ratepayer. The next step is a very comprehensive business plan detailing exactly the services we propose to offer.”