Marketing campaign launched in bid to help attract hotel developers

Marketing campaign launched in bid to help attract hotel developers

17 April 2024

A NEW marketing campaign will be launched next month aimed at encouraging potential hotel developers keen to invest in the area.

They are being offered a slice of a £1m funding cake being made available by Newry, Mourne and Down Council.

Details of the new campaign were confirmed at Monday night’s meeting of the local authority’s Economy, Regeneration and Tourism Committee.

A capital grant scheme was initially approved four years ago, but no money was handed over as the Covid pandemic struck, sweeping across the globe and having major ramifications for the local authority and its staff.

Developers who secure planning approval for new hotels with a minimum of 15 bedrooms can apply for financial assistance up to a maximum of £300,000 under the new grant scheme.

The funding initiative is also open to existing tourism accommodation providers planning to provide a minimum of 15 additional bedrooms.

It was confirmed this week that council officers are currently updating the application documents and the new publicity campaign around the scheme.

Once the grant scheme goes live, council officials will engage with the private sector to address queries from any prospective applicants.

The local authority says it’s essential that additional overnight stay accommodation is provided across the district and that for this to happen, new quality development is needed.

Several years ago, plans for a new 51-bedroom hotel for Downpatrick –which has not been developed –  were unveiled for the former Abbey Lodge site on the Belfast Road.

Local politicians have welcomed the £1m fund and believe the financial support can help grow quality tourist provision across the district.

Former Downpatrick councillor Dermot Curran has for many years been keen to see a new hotel in the town.

He believes new hotels will compliment existing provision and act as a key economic generator which can also help “strengthen the heart of Downpatrick” which is still coming to terms with last November’s devastating town centre flood.

Mr Curran said a new hotel in the town and helping existing hotels expand has the potential to create jobs in the construction industry and provide employment in the hospitality sector.

He said the local authority’s tourism strategy was designed to make the district a prime tourist destination in Ireland and that more visitors will require additional overnight accommodation.

Mr Curran said there was an established need for additional overnight accommodation across the district and the local council’s £1m grant scheme to assist developers was particularly welcome news.