Park Avenue Hotel in east Belfast not to reopen, affecting 45 staff

By Q Radio News

Park Avenue Hotel in east Belfast will not reopen, affecting 45 staff. 

A source told Q Radio the hotel has faced financial difficulties for some time..

The site has been closed since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

A spokesperson on behalf of Beannchor Group said:

“We are gravely disappointed by the situation at which we have arrived and the impact it had on staff.

Despite making a number of significant changes to hotel operations prior to COVID-19 the recent devastating impact on the tourism industry has been too great to continue a viable hotel in this location.”

Earlier this year a Proposal of Application Notice was submitted to Belfast City Council for the residential development of the site and the Pre-Application Community Consultation period has now ended.

The planning application has been part of a review of the hotel and an assessment of alternative uses for the site.

The spokesperson continued:

“Our intention to take forward a planning application for the possible development of new homes on the lands of the Park Avenue Hotel remain intact. The hotel closure highlights that it is no longer sustainable for the property to continue as a hotel asset. It is therefore important that alternative uses are explored for the site."