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13/06/2002
Minister opens £7m Londonderry hotel
The Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds, has opened the new £6.94 million Tower Hotel, the first to be built within the centre of the walled city of Londonderry since the 19th Century.
Speaking following the opening on Thursday, Mr Dodds, said: "The provision of this 90-bedroom hotel creating 60 valuable full time and part time jobs is very welcome news. This project will effectively complete the regeneration of the walled city by redeveloping one of the last remaining derelict sites.
"The bright new frontage along Butcher Street has had a tremendous environmental impact on a street which has been largely derelict for many years. It also complements the £2 million environmental improvement project inside the walls, which my Department, through the Londonderry Development Office has brought forward.
"This was a very adventurous project for Inner City Trust and I commend the foresight, persistence and commitment of the management committee led by its Chief Executive, Paddy Doherty, on bringing this wonderful project in such a unique location. The hotel is a worthy culmination of the Trust’s extensive regeneration programmes carried out in difficult circumstances over some 20 years.
"I congratulate them on their many successful achievements which include the O’Doherty Fort, the Calgach Centre, the Heritage Library and the Magazine Street Youth Hostel."
The Minister pointed out that the new hotel would help accommodate the growing number of visitors to the historic city.
This was estimated at more than 105,000 people with a potential spend of around £18 million during the year 2000, which was a 30% increase on the 1995 figure.
It is expected that the new conference facilities at the Tower Hotel will also help to extend the visitor season.
(SP)
Speaking following the opening on Thursday, Mr Dodds, said: "The provision of this 90-bedroom hotel creating 60 valuable full time and part time jobs is very welcome news. This project will effectively complete the regeneration of the walled city by redeveloping one of the last remaining derelict sites.
"The bright new frontage along Butcher Street has had a tremendous environmental impact on a street which has been largely derelict for many years. It also complements the £2 million environmental improvement project inside the walls, which my Department, through the Londonderry Development Office has brought forward.
"This was a very adventurous project for Inner City Trust and I commend the foresight, persistence and commitment of the management committee led by its Chief Executive, Paddy Doherty, on bringing this wonderful project in such a unique location. The hotel is a worthy culmination of the Trust’s extensive regeneration programmes carried out in difficult circumstances over some 20 years.
"I congratulate them on their many successful achievements which include the O’Doherty Fort, the Calgach Centre, the Heritage Library and the Magazine Street Youth Hostel."
The Minister pointed out that the new hotel would help accommodate the growing number of visitors to the historic city.
This was estimated at more than 105,000 people with a potential spend of around £18 million during the year 2000, which was a 30% increase on the 1995 figure.
It is expected that the new conference facilities at the Tower Hotel will also help to extend the visitor season.
(SP)
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