Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
40 new jobs created in multi-million revamps
A HOSPITALITY firm is creating 40 jobs as part of a multi-million pound investment at three properties.
Loughview Leisure Group has put most of the money – £18million – behind the acquisition and extension of central Belfast’s Ten Square Hotel that now includes an additional 55 rooms. It has also refurbished the Chimney Corner Hotel in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, which opens this week, and pumped more than £1million into World of Wonder, a children’s play centre in Carrickfergus. The additional jobs take the total headcount at the Northern Ireland company to 250. Finance director Christopher Kearney said: “We are very pleased to be completing such significant projects which will enhance our guests’ experience and help ensure the hotels are at the forefront of Northern Ireland’s visitor offering.” The refurbishments at the properties were funded by the Ulster Bank. The lender’s head of corporate banking Kenton Hilman said: “This multi-million pound upgrade to two well-known hotels will significantly enhance visitor experience, add to Northern Ireland’s tourism offering and create valuable new jobs.” The company that was responsible for managing the delivery of the extension and refurbishment schemes said it has worked well with the hospitality group. The firm’s spokesman added: “Causeway Asset Management is delighted to be associated with the substantial redevelopment of these well-known hotels having delivered other leisure schemes for Loughview in the last 12 months and continues to work with the Loughview Leisure Group on its next exciting hotel venture. “It is great to see investment in assets in both Belfast city centre and the Greater Belfast area, we look forward to working as part of the team on future schemes.” The group has completely refurbished the popular Chimney Corner Hotel in Mallusk. The project included a new reception and rooms, an upgraded frontage, plus revamped function rooms, restaurant, and garden facilities.