http://news.caterer.comNews from Caterer.comen-gbWed, 30 Jan 2008 13:57:45 GMTCopyright: (C) Totaljobs Group Ltd, see http://www.caterer.com/Contents/Content/TermsAndConditions.html for terms and conditions of reuse
A Northern Irish hotel revamp is set to create hospitality jobs, according to a source.

Expansion to the Ramada in south Belfast will result in 60 new hotel jobs becoming available, reports the BBC.

Lord Rana, chief executive of Ramada's parent company Andras House, told the BBC the plans were possible due to increasing tourism in the area over recent years, a factor which has seen the complex maintain high occupancy.

He also stated he believes the country can "look forward to faster growth in tourism revenues".

The news comes shortly after figures released show Northern Irish hotels have had their best year ever.

Research carried out by ASM Horwath stated a rise in demand for hotel rooms, with firms visiting the country for business playing a key role in the figures.

Michael Williamson, the firm's director of hotel, tourism and leisure consulting, claimed the statistics showed the industry now outperforms that of Dublin, which marks a "major transformation".

Hotel Jobs in Northern Ireland

]]>http://news.caterer.com/article/view/hotel/18733289/60-new-jobs-after-ramada-revamp/http://news.caterer.com/article/view/18733289/60-new-jobs-after-ramada-revamp/Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:41:36 17AugGMTNorthern Irelandlocal jobs when it is built, it has been reported.

The complex near Annalong has been approved by planners and the proposals will go before the Newry and Mourne district council on August 7th, which will approve it if it sees fit, according to the Mourne Observer.

If given the green light around 80 new hospitality jobs will be created, with 50 of them expected to be full-time positions.

South Down MP Eddie McGrady, told the publication: "This facility will … assist our local tourism industry. I look forward to the completion of the project and the opening of what will be a gateway hotel to the Mourne Mountains."

He suggested the construction industry will also benefit from the move in the building process.

Liam Murphy of developers Glasgiven Contracts said there have been no new hotels built in the coastal area for two decades.

The local authority says Newry and Mourne represents a "gateway to the north", saying the area is steeped in "history, mythology and legend", reflecting a huge pull for visitors.

Hotel Jobs in Northern Ireland

]]>http://news.caterer.com/article/view/hotel/18715517/hotel-and-chalet-project-given-go-ahead/http://news.caterer.com/article/view/18715517/hotel-and-chalet-project-given-go-ahead/Mon, 4 Aug 2008 17:27:24 16AugGMTNorthern Ireland
A multitude of full and part-time hospitality jobs, as well as construction jobs during the refurbishment process, are set to be generated by the project, the News Letter reports.

McAlister Holdings, which is taking on the job, visualises a boost to the influx of visitors to the region if their intentions are given the green light.

The hotel will include 200 bedrooms, a restaurant and spa and leisure facilities as well as conference and weddings.

Mervyn McAlister, managing director at the company, told the publication: "We believe that our proposals represent a unique opportunity to create a significant tourist facility which will not only be a landmark in Ballycastle but will become a premier destination resort hotel in Ireland."

"This will deliver a major boost for local tourism and the local economy", he added.

The establishment describes itself as "the perfect setting for your family destination or for the solo explorer", surrounded as it is by well-known tourist attractions such as the Giants Causeway.

Hospitality Jobs in County Antrim

]]>http://news.caterer.com/article/view/hotel/18669069/county-antrim-hotel-to-get-5-star-revamp/http://news.caterer.com/article/view/18669069/county-antrim-hotel-to-get-5-star-revamp/Thu, 3 Jul 2008 16:57:06 15JulGMTNorthern Irelandhotel jobs in the city of Lisburn, according to the Ulster Star.

The newspaper reports that the firm, which operates more than 500 hotels across the UK, is preparing to spend £10 million on a new 60-room property located on Hillsborough Road after the Planning Service gave the development the green light.

Restaurant work roles are also likely to be created at the new hotel as owners Whitbread intend to launch a Brewers Fayre eatery.

The company already operates hotels in Carrickfergus and Belfast and has previously announced plans to open new properties in the city and Coleraine.

Mark Adams, Northern Ireland acquisitions manager for Whitbread, said: "We're very excited to be bringing a new hotel [to] Lisburn, it is a great location and we are really looking forward to getting started.

"The Northern Ireland market provides a very attractive opportunity for us to expand and Lisburn in particular is a city on the up."

Mr Adams added that the firm hopes "to be able to announce further investments across Northern Ireland in the near future".

Hotel jobs in Antrim

]]>http://news.caterer.com/article/view/hotel/18541290/lisburn-poised-to-get-new-hotel/http://news.caterer.com/article/view/18541290/lisburn-poised-to-get-new-hotel/Tue, 8 Apr 2008 15:17:08 14AprGMTNorthern Ireland
The new property will be operated under the Courtyard by Marriott brand and will be located on Cromac Place in the Gasworks area of the city.

Ed Fuller, the president and managing director for international lodging at the hotel chain, said the firm is "excited" to launch the brand in Belfast, adding: "We are confident that the Courtyard by Marriott Belfast will play an important role in the future growth of Belfast's commercial and leisure travel business."

According to U.TV, around 60 local jobs will be created at the new property, with opportunities for bar and restaurant work also set to be created at the in-house dining facilities.

The new hotel has been welcomed by Northern Ireland's First Minister Ian Paisley and the chief executive of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Alan Clarke.

Mr Clarke told U.TV that Marriott's decision is "an endorsement of our tourism industry and an indication of international confidence in our growing hotel sector".

Hotel jobs in Belfast

]]>http://news.caterer.com/article/view/hotel/18483096/marriott-to-open-belfast-hotel/http://news.caterer.com/article/view/18483096/marriott-to-open-belfast-hotel/Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:34:18 11FebGMTNorthern Ireland
The Italian catering giant - which provides local jobs for people working in hospitality and retail roles at 25 airports across the UK, including London-Heathrow and London City, - revealed that it has agreed a deal worth £30 million that will see it manage three outlets at the Belfast hub.

The deal will give it control of the airport's catering operations for the next ten years, in addition to its existing contract to run the retail facilities.

Opportunities for bar and restaurant work are likely to be created when the new venues open later this year, with a food court modelled on a local market and a new bar named after whiskey firm Bushmills planned for the site.

Those working at all three outlets are likely to be kept busy, with figures from Belfast City Airport revealing that more than 150,000 passengers passed through the hub in January alone.

Restaurant jobs in Belfast

]]>http://news.caterer.com/article/view/restaurant/18481178/new-restaurants-and-bars-planned-for-belfast-city-airport/http://news.caterer.com/article/view/18481178/new-restaurants-and-bars-planned-for-belfast-city-airport/Mon, 25 Feb 2008 11:46:16 11FebGMTNorthern Ireland
According to the Belfast Telegraph, celebrities such as former Boyzone front man Ronan Keating, Murphy's Law star James Nesbitt and model Sophie Anderton flocked to the city's Waterfront Hall for the Fate Awards, which honours both venues and those working in hospitality jobs.

The Apartment scooped the award for best cocktail bar and best style bar, while manager and mixologist Morgan Watson was presented with an award for best front of house service.

Michael Bell, joint publisher of Fate Magazine, which organises the event, told the newspaper: "The atmosphere was fantastic and the celebration for all the winners throughout Northern Ireland will continue for months to come.

"We are delighted that a credible awards ceremony to represent the best of Northern Ireland is now recognised across the UK and Ireland."

The Botanic Inn, an entertainment and sports bar on Malone Road, received the best classic bar gong, presented by lingerie designer Caprice.

Pub and bar jobs in Belfast

]]>http://news.caterer.com/article/view/pub-bar/18481168/bars-honoured-at-awards-ceremony/http://news.caterer.com/article/view/18481168/bars-honoured-at-awards-ceremony/Mon, 25 Feb 2008 11:44:38 11FebGMTNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland's Department for Social Development has agreed terms with developers William Ewart Properties Limited, ING Real Estate and Snoddons Construction Limited -known collectively as Royal Exchange (Belfast) Limited – to bring the new development to the north-east quarter of the city centre.

Margaret Ritchie, the social development minister said that the project "is a further step in establishing Belfast as a major European regional city" and will help "develop the evening economy".

Nick Reid, the chief executive of William Ewart properties Limited, told the Belfast News Letter: "When Royal Exchange opens in 2013 Belfast city centre will compare favourably with any city across the UK and Ireland."

When it is completed, the development is expected to create 2,000 local jobs, including restaurant work and chef roles at a range of restaurants and cafes which are set to be established.

Hotel jobs will also be on offer at a new property located on Lower North Street and Church Street.

Restaurant jobs in Belfast

]]>http://news.caterer.com/article/view/restaurant/18467643/belfast-leisure-complex-moves-step-closer/http://news.caterer.com/article/view/18467643/belfast-leisure-complex-moves-step-closer/Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:40:49 13FebGMTNorthern Irelandrestaurant work in Northern Ireland are set to take part in a new initiative designed to make the public more aware about where the meat on their plate comes from, it has been announced.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, pub chain Botanic Inns is one of the firms which has signed up for the new awareness drive, which is being organised by the Department of Agriculture, the Livestock and Meat Commission and the Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering Federation.

The scheme, which is currently voluntary, aims to ensure that people know where the meat they are eating comes from, with diners given details of the provenance of each meat dish on the menu.

Michelle Gildernew, the agriculture minister, said: "We must ensure that meat can be traced right back to the farm gate. This is to encourage people to ask for and seek out local beef."

Officials in Northern Ireland have been planning to increase the profile of local food for some years, with encouraging food-service outlets to "celebrate the cultural heritage of local food" forming a key part of its strategy.

Restaurant jobs in Belfast

]]>http://news.caterer.com/article/view/restaurant/18461848/hospitality-industry-joins-local-food-promotion-drive/http://news.caterer.com/article/view/18461848/hospitality-industry-joins-local-food-promotion-drive/Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:12:50 9FebGMTNorthern Irelandworking in hotels in Northern Ireland could be poised to benefit from a new scheme designed to boost the province's hospitality sector.

Some 12 hotels in Northern Ireland, including four in Antrim, have signed up to take part in the Visa Programme, organised by economic development agency Invest NI.

It aims to help hoteliers improve the quality of their service and devise ways to market their property to potential guests all over the world.

Kevin McCann, the director of transport, construction and tourism at Invest NI, said: "Over two million visitors per year are coming to Northern Ireland and overseas interest in the region has never been higher.

"Invest NI is helping local hoteliers to capitalise on this by enabling them to refine and better market their product so they can target new sales opportunities abroad."

According to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, 1,979,000 people visited the province in 2006, spending a total of 9,618,000 nights.

The tourism industry is a significant part of the economy, with visitors spending £371 on trips and helping create local jobs.

Hotel jobs in Antrim

]]>http://news.caterer.com/article/view/hotel/18448409/new-hotel-promotion-drive-launches-in-ni/http://news.caterer.com/article/view/18448409/new-hotel-promotion-drive-launches-in-ni/Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:23:40 15JanGMTNorthern Ireland