Another hotel planned for Derry city centre
Plans have been out forward for a new hotel in the heart of Derry’s city centre.
The 24-bed ‘boutique’ hotel would take up a large site, fronting on to both Foyle Street and Guildhall Square.
If given the green light by Derry City and Strabane District Council, the hotel would be another boost for the regeneration of the area.
News of the new hotel plans come as work continues on two other hotels in the city centre.
The company behind the new proposal is Elm Village Company Limited which is based at Northland Road in Derry.
They want to convert the present buildings at numbers 1 to 4 Shipquay Place and numbers 7 to 17 Foyle Street into the new hotel.
The buildings involved are located either side of the Gainsborough Bar (pictured) which is not part of the proposed hotel development.
As part of the proposed development, a large ‘block house’ to the rear of 7-15 Foyle Street would be demolished.
Number 17 Foyle Street would also be extended as part of the new hotel.
The main entrance to the hotel would be on Foyle Street.
There would also be a restaurant and public bar on the ground floor, with the bar fronting on to Guildhall Square.
There would also be two retail units within the development which would both front on to Foyle Street.
The plans for the new hotel were recently submitted to the planning department of Derry City and Strabane District Council.
As part of the Review of Public Administration in Northern Ireland, the final decision of whether or not to grant planning permission now rests with local councils.
As a result, it will be local councillors who will decide whether the new hotel plans will proceed.
At one time time, Foyle Street was home to two hotels, the City Hotel and the Melville Hotel.
However, both these hotels have long been knocked down, and many buildings in the street have been unoccupied for a significant number of years.
Meanwhile, another new hotel is just weeks away from opening.
Final touches are currently being put to the Bishop’s Gate Hotel at Bishop Street.
The 31-bedroom hotel has been constructed in the former Northern Counties building which lay unused for many years.
The hotel is being built by the Inner City Trust which has played a leading role in the regeneration of Derry’s city centre in recent years.
As well as its bedrooms, the hotel will also include a residents lounge, fitness area, restaurant, champagne and cocktail bar and a 100 person capacity ballroom.
Building work is also continuing on a 20-bedroom hotel in a former bank building at Shipquay Street.
Both projects have received funding from the Department for Social Development and Department of Environment.
Work on the building in Shipquay Street is due to be completed in March.
It was claimed earlier this year that 65 jobs will be created at the Bishop Street site and a further 12 jobs will be created at the Shipquay Street hotel.
Speaking at the time, Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said the projects were important for investment and tourism.
He said: "Derry's built heritage is a unique attraction for tourists and investors and a source of pride for locals. It is important that we strive together to realise its full potential."