Ballycastle Chronicle - News - Hotel ‘missing’ in Ballycastle

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Hotel ‘missing’ in Ballycastle

Thursday, 26 January 2012

THE Enterprise Minister has acknowledged that the Ballycastle area is 'missing' quality hotel provision.
She made the remarks during Assembly Question Time last time, during a discussion on how Northern Ireland as a whole will benefit from the Irish Open in June. North Antrim MLAs were keen to hear how their constituency would benefit from the event, with Paul Frew of the DUP stating that there was a need to 'think big' and he asked if there was a co-ordinated plan to help the main towns of Ballymoney, Ballymena, Ballycastle and Coleraine to maximise bed spaces.
Sinn Fein's Daithi McKay said that the announcement that the Irish Open would be held in Portrush in June put added impetus on the the need for hotel provision in Ballycastle, as it was only a 'stone's throw' away.
The Minister said: "The development of four-star and five-star hotels in the region is, of course, documented as a strategic action in the 'Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism Masterplan' for 2004-2013.
“The Tourist Board supports that. I have met the Member, along with some hotel providers, and he will know that it is my desire to see a hotel of that standing in the Ballycastle area.
“That is something that is missing from the area and something that I hope will happen in the near future. Investment in the hotel accommodation sector will, of course, require the private sector to take a lead. However, as he knows, the sector can apply to Invest Northern Ireland for support."
Speaking after the debate, Mr McKay said that Invest NI and the Enterprise Minister must ensure money is available for hotel provision in Ballycastle if any projects are forthcoming in the period ahead.
He said: "The business community as well as the public in general are not happy that Invest NI are regularly in a position of not being able to spend their money and are now regularly putting money back to the Department of Finance and Personnel.
Funding
“I have held a meeting with the Enterprise Minister, I have sent her numerous written questions and have again questioned her on the floor of the house on the fact that I do have a proposal for what she and Invest NI should spend their money on instead of handing it back - a hotel in Ballycastle.
“I think that Ballycastle needs to be part of the project when it comes to golf tourism and events in Portrush.
“We are just a stone's throw away and the Department must ensure that the town is not treated as being beyond the periphery in this regard.
“Ballycastle is at the heart of the Causeway Coast & Glens and is the gateway to Rathlin, it is a perfect site for a four star or five star hotel as envisaged in the the 'Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism Masterplan' for 2004-2013.
“The Minister has responded to me by saying that she is supportive of a hotel in Ballycastle and that if the private sector takes the lead then financial support can be sought from Invest NI.
“If a viable proposal is brought forward in the time ahead for Ballycastle which is of a high standard and meets the funding criteria of Invest NI then I and the wider community have an expectation that Invest NI and the Minister will work constructively with us to deliver that hotel.
“There is no excuse in my opinion for dashing those expectations - especially when Invest NI cannot find significant projects to spend millions of pounds on."