Pictured unveiling plans for the latest addition to the Beannchor Group’s hotel portfolio are Bill Wolsey, MD of Beannchor and Nicky McCollum, Development Director at Lisburn Square.

Fresh from winning the EY Industry Entrepreneur of the Year award, Bill Wolsey, the founder of Northern Ireland’s largest hospitality group Beannchor, has announced plans to open a new £4million hotel at Lisburn Square, creating 75 new jobs.

The new 52-bedroom hotel will occupy approximately 30,000 sq ft of the existing scheme, comprising the former Argos store and adjoining first floor space.

Subject to planning approval the hotel is expected to open in late Summer 2019.

The hotel will be the first to be located in Lisburn city centre and will epitomise urban-style, contemporary surroundings alongside spacious, affordable bedrooms. It will also benefit from secure underground car parking on-site.

Capitalising on Beannchor’s expertise in food and beverage, there will also be a destination ground floor bar and restaurant accessed from the central Lisburn Square piazza and open to both residents and non-residents.

Commenting on the announcement, Bill Wolsey, MD of Beannchor, said: “Hospitality continues to be one of Northern Ireland’s most important industries and largest employers. We believe the creation of 75 new full time and part time jobs will be a major economic boost for Lisburn Square and the city.

“We already have a presence in Lisburn Square through our very successful Little Wing Pizzeria and have been working alongside the Square’s owners for the past six months to create the vision for a hotel that the people of Lisburn can be proud of.”

Nicky McCollum, Development Director at Lisburn Square, welcomed Beannchor’s decision to choose Lisburn Square as the location for their next hotel venture.

He commented: “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.

Luke McClelland, Retail Surveyor at CBRE, added: “Lisburn Square already hosts two award-winning restaurants in The Square Bistro and Little Wing Pizzeria, as well as the increasingly-popular Glasshouse Coffee Deli, and it is fantastic to now welcome Beannchor, one of Northern Ireland’s best-known hospitality providers.”

There are few remaining units available to let at Lisburn Square with competitively-priced rents, ranging from c.800 sq ft to c.6,000 sq ft.