Travellers to and from Northern Ireland look set to benefit from a brand new Premier Inn hotel in County Antrim.
Plans lodged in recent weeks reveal that UK's largest hotel chain which prides itself in providing comfortable beds, convenience and connectivity is seeking to expand its accommodation offering in the Province with a location at Belfast International Airport.
Located 250 metres from the airport entrance on lands situated east of Antrim Road and the junction with Ballyrobin Road, the proposal represents an overall investment of £8 million that will see the construction of a 81-bedroom with restaurant and bar. The application includes 100 car-parking spaces.
Location plan for new hotel.
According to a consultation document "growth at Belfast International Airport has been on an upward trajectory for the past number of years.
"Following the fall in the value of the pound, new figures show that 600,000 visitors from the Republic of Ireland now pass through the Airport.
"Higher numbers of tourists and new and expanded flight routes have lead to the need for greater capacity at the airport.
"The success of Belfast International Airport has increased demand for more businesses and services to support this growth.
"Tourists and domestic travellers now require greater choice. With a range of flights departing and arriving earlier in the morning and later at night, there is now significant demand for some of these travellers to stay for at least one bed night."
Elevations of proposed hotel.
The document adds:
"Subject to successful planning permission, we want to bring forward a new and fresh development, new jobs, and help create choice in the local hotel and hospitality sector."
The construction phase of the three-storey facility is expected to support 30 jobs, create an estimated £4 million of indirect benefits through the construction supply chain and £0.5 million of 'induced benefits' to the local community.
Upon completion and at operation phase the new Premier Inn would support 30 full-time equivalent jobs, creating £500,000 annual wages, and yielding £2 million+ in annual supply chain contracts.
Backing the project, Graham Keddie, Managing Director, Belfast International Airport said:
"This hotel will inject almost £500,000 in wages into the Antrim economy every year. Thirty construction jobs will be sustained in this £8 million investment. That's a big boost to Antrim and further afield. It also means we'll have competition in the hotel sector where the customer will be winner."
Site plan for new hotel.
Richard Holmes, former Managing Director of Sam Mouldings, and former mayor of Causeway & Glens Borough Council, added his support saying:
"We host customers to our Antrim factory on a regular basis and sometimes, it's difficult to secure accommodation nearby. Bed space is at a premium, which is why we warmly welcome what we all see as a clear vote of confidence in the area."
Premier Inn have hotels in six other locations in Northern Ireland including Carrickfergus, Lisburn, Londonderry and three in Belfast.