O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors is recognised throughout Northern Ireland as one of the leading legal advisers to the licensed and hospitality sectors. As genuine experts in this niche area of law, we often have the pleasure of advising on some of the most exciting projects happening in Northern Ireland.
June was a particularly busy month for our licensing department with several major projects seeking approval from the Courts in Belfast and beyond.
One of the largest hotel development projects ever undertaken here, the Grand Central Hotel obtained its alcohol licence, following the completion of major construction works. This jewel in the crown of Belfast’s burgeoning hotel scene boasts over 300 rooms and is sure to be a fantastic addition to the City’s hotel offering and that of Northern Ireland generally. Having been associated with the Hastings Hotel Group for many years, we were delighted to have been instructed to advise on all aspects of this project from initial purchase of site to finance and licensing matters.
June was also a busy time for the Andras House Hotel Group with large extensions to both the Crown Plaza Hotel at Shaw’s Bridge and Holiday Inn Express at University Street, Belfast, increasing their bedroom capacities respectively. We were also chosen as legal advisers in the development of their newest hotel, Hampton by Hilton at Hope Street, Belfast. The Group can now offer almost 1000 rooms to the Northern Irish hotel market, making them one of the largest operators in the business and we’re delighted to continue our association with them.
The ever-growing W & R Group, the Company behind the Granny Annies chain of bars and restaurants, have also been very active in recent months and had four separate applications approved by the court in Derry/Londonderry in relation to premises they operate and are developing in that area. These premises will each be developed over the coming months and we look forward to their completion.
We also acted for the owners of Ten Square Hotel, Jeggy Nettle in Stranmillis, The Harp Bar in the Cathedral Quarter and The Perch, part of The Gate complex, in relation to extensions or alterations to their existing premises. Each of these applications has and will add value to the premises and ultimately to customers, ensuring Belfast’s hospitality scene continues to evolve and thrive.