Hotel complex at mill site to create 400 jobs

At least 400 jobs will be created in Co Down with the development of a £30m (€42.9m) hotel and leisure complex, it was promised today.

The old Gilford Mill is to be redeveloped into a 132-bedroom, four-star hotel by Northern Ireland company GML Estates, part of the Channel Islands based Orana Group.

As well as the six storey hotel in the historic mill, there will also be a conference centre, health spa, shops, art gallery and sculpture park.

Planning permission has been granted for the scheme which is planned to opened during 2007, said GML.

The developers said they were in talks with a prestigious, well known, international hotels operator to run the hotel.

The Belfast architects, Robinson McIlwaine, have drawn up a design to breathe new life into the mill complex, mindful of the conservation and environmental aspects of the project.

But they have managed to incorporate an feature glass ‘wall-climber’ lift tower on the outside of the mill which will glow at night.

Banbridge District Council, with whom the developers have been working closely, will operate the run the art gallery and sculpture park.

The gallery and park will include a permanent exhibition by world-famous sculptor FE McWilliams including the artist’s studio salvaged from Hampstead.

John Farmer, chairman of Orana Group said: “We believe this will become a landmark, high quality leisure destination.

“The hotel operators with whom we are in discussion recognise the opportunities the location and the sie offer. The Gilford Mill Hotel has the potential to become one of the best in Northern Ireland.”

Although the hotel and conference centre will be the main commercial aspect of the site, Banbridge District Council plan to establish the Gilford Complex as a destination in its own right, and market it to potential local and regional visitors, as well as international tourists.

The hotel restaurant, lounge and bar, as well as a health club and pool will be open to the public.

Combined with the art gallery, sculpture park, shops and 33 acres of landscaped parkland, the complex will have enough leisure activities to become a day out destination, said the developers.

Robert Gilmore, chief executive of the council, said it was delighted delighted the planning application had been approved for what was a major investment in Gilford.

“This project has the potential to be a catalyst for the regeneration of Gilford Town and the surrounding district, and will provide full-time and part-time employment opportunities.”