Double hotel boost for Larne coastal area

Larne’s tourism sector has received a double boost with two hotel announcements for the Co Antrim coastal area yesterday (Thursday).
The site of the new hotel in Larne.The site of the new hotel in Larne.
The site of the new hotel in Larne.

Mid and East Antrim Council planners approved proposals for a new boutique hotel in the town.

And the local authority also revealed a four-star hotel was part of regeneration projects for Glenarm following the agreed sale of council-owned sites in the scenic village.

A new boutique-style hotel with 24 bedrooms and a rooftop terrace is proposed for High Street, Larne, on the former Dan Campbell’s and The Thatch bars extending into Point Street.

New regeneration proejcts are planned for Glenarm.New regeneration proejcts are planned for Glenarm.
New regeneration proejcts are planned for Glenarm.

The Mayor, Cllr Peter Johnston, said: “This announcement is very welcome for the economy of Larne and the entire Mid and East Antrim Borough.

“It is a positive step towards regenerating our local tourism and hospitality industry as we chart a pathway to recovering from the devastating financial impact of Covid-19.

“We have some of the most stunning scenery in Mid and East Antrim, as the gateway to the world famous Causeway Coastal Route, and this new development will make it easier for us to showcase that to a wider audience.”

Businessman, Kenny Bruce, who is behind the plans, said: “This is a great opportunity to bring a modern and high quality tourism offering to Larne, and to invest in the wider area by providing employment.

“I look forward to working in partnership with planners and other stakeholders to ensure we meet the highest standards required of us.”

In Glenarm a distillery, state-of-the-art visitor experience and community hub are further elements of the development plans after permission was granted for the sale of the former quarry, fish factory and Eglinton yard sites.

In a statement welcoming the projects, East Antrim DUP MLA Gordon Lyons said: “This is incredibly positive news for the local economy as we emerge from the Covid-19 lockdown. Our tourism and hospitality sector is key to our economic recovery and these exciting new projects will help to create jobs in an area that has been underappreciated in the past.

“The Antrim Coast Road is now a globally recognised area of outstanding natural beauty and I am confident that this major investment will be a massive boost to our tourism offer as we tentatively move to open up our economy.”

Cllr Gregg McKeen said: “This investment is a vote of confidence in Mid and East Antrim and will be a huge morale boost to the tourism industry at a time when it is needed most.

“The Coast Road is a great asset to our council and as we emerge from lockdown, now is the time to seize the potential which these developments provide. It’s good news for Mid and East Antrim and good news for Northern Ireland.”

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