Portaferry Hotel may reopen within weeks

Portaferry Hotel may reopen within weeks

27 January 2016

THE Portaferry Hotel is expected to reopen within weeks.

A local businessman is understood to be involved in advanced negotiations over the lease of the landmark loughside hotel, which closed suddenly in October with the loss of 20 full and part time jobs.

The shock closure, which was blamed on the premature departure of the previous tenant over financial difficulties, devastated the local community which lobbied for its urgent reopening.

At the time, hotel landlord Beannchor came under pressure to take over the business to secure employment but a spokeswoman for the company warned a resolution could not be found until outstanding issues connected to the previous tenancy were addressed.

With these issues now believed to be overcome and refurbishment work underway at the hotel, speculation is mounting that the doors could be reopened by the new tenant as early as Valentine’s Day.

This news has been welcomed by Paula McMullan, who was a housekeeper at Portaferry Hotel for 23 years before its October closure.

She yesterday said the community was upbeat about the prospect of the hotel being back in business and hopeful that it would revive the community.

“There has been no life with the lights being out in the hotel all winter and everybody has been asking for weeks when it will reopen,” she said.

“I have missed working there a lot and would love to see it up and running again. Hopefully this will be a new lease of life for the town and a new facility for the community to support.”

Mr John Dumigan, chairman of Portaferry Regeneration, said he too was keen to see the hotel reopen as soon as possible.

“We are very anxious for it to be reopened because it makes such an important contribution to the social and economic life of Portaferry,” he said.

“Its reopening is particularly important with the winter coming to an end and the summer season ahead. People want to book holidays so the hotel needs to reopen as a matter of urgency.”

Portaferry councillor Joe Boyle said there was mounting hope for the hotel’s future.

“This would be welcome news to the entire community which regards the hotel as its key landmark and would have a positive impact on local employment, which was affected by October’s closure,” he said.

“Things are certainly looking better than they did a few months ago and many people will be delighted to see this facility back in play, attracting tourists and visitors to the area.

“The economy needs an injection and if the hotel reopens it means we can look forward to the Easter and summer season.”

Beannchor declined to comment.