Beannchor Group reveals plans for £4m Lisburn hotel

The founder of Northern Ireland hospitality group Beannchor has announced plans to open a £4m hotel in Lisburn.

The 52-bedroom hotel will occupy approximately 30,000 sq ft at Lisburn Square, a development owned by the Marcol investment and asset management group, at the site of a former Argos store and adjoining first-floor space.

The hotel is described as urban and affordable and will also feature a destination ground floor bar and restaurant.

Subject to planning approval the hotel is expected to open in late summer 2019. The opening is expected to create 75 new jobs.

Beannchor founder and managing director Bill Wolsey (pictured left) said: "The intention is that this will be a four-star offering. This is a new hotel concept for Beannchor; we are currently working closely with our design team to deliver a look and feel that will reflect the needs of today's guests. Like many of Beannchor's outlets, the hotel will have its own individual personality, but will be presented in a way that it is appealing to a wide range of guests."

Nicky McCollum (right), development director at Lisburn Square, said: "The Merchant and Bullitt hotels created in Belfast by the Beannchor team have been instant successes and are at the cutting edge of the hospitality industry in Northern Ireland.

"Further to our plans for the new hotel, it is our intention to attract other quality food and beverage operators to the Square in the short term and continue to create a family-friendly environment within the piazza, as well as stimulate the night-time economy."

Commercial property agencies CBRE and GVA NI are acting on behalf of Lisburn Square as joint letting agents.

The Beannchor Group's portfolio also includes the Merchant and Bullitt hotels, the National Grand café, Sixty6 and the Dirty Onion in Belfast along with the Little Wing Pizzeria chain, of which there is already an outlet on Lisburn Square. The group has an annual turnover of approximately £24m,

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