Beech Hill Expands For Derry's City Of Culture

A leading hotel in the North West is expanding with an eye to a cultural future.

The Beech Hill Country House Hotel in Londonderry is planning to undertake a £220,000 expansion project to boost its international business, with support from Invest Northern Ireland.

The family run business is one of the area's leading hotels, with the historic manor house, established in 1739, becoming a four star hotel in 1991.

It already attracts visitors from across the UK, Europe and beyond.

The expansion aims to meet the anticipated increase in demand for accommodation, which is expected during Derry's high profile year as the UK City of Culture 2013.

The Beech Hill Country House Hotel will develop four additional bedrooms on the ground floor and boost its marketing activities. Invest NI offered the Beech Hill Country House Hotel £35,000 towards the project, which is due to be completed in time for the 2012 tourist season.

Jeremy Fitch, Invest NI's Managing Director of Clients Group and Business International, said: "This investment is a strategic move by the Beech Hill Country House Hotel to maximise its export potential.

"By upgrading its facilities the business hopes to generate additional sales and attract international tourists who are interested in cultural tourism.

"In order to maximise the success of this project, the Beech Hill Country House Hotel will continue to actively promote its business to target markets and focus on attracting new customers during the week as well as in the autumn and winter months to boost its overall performance."

Meanwhile, Patsy O'Kane, owner of the Beech Hill Country House Hotel, said: "The creation of four extra bedrooms will enhance our product offering and help us to meet the needs of international tourists who visit Northern Ireland each year.

"Invest NI's support will help us to progress these expansion plans and boost our competitiveness ahead of Derry's year as the UK City of Culture."

(BMcC/GK)