Today’s news in brief – 31/7/24

Hotelier Adrian McLaughlin and whiskey master distiller Darryl McNally, alongside businessman Carl Harrison, have acquired the historic Londonderry Arms in Carnlough to develop Ireland’s first whiskey hotel. Investing £1.75m, the trio aim to complete refurbishment by Easter 2025. The hotel, situated on the Causeway Coastal route, will cater to the growing influx of tourists, particularly from the US and Canada. McNally plans to integrate whiskey into every aspect of the hotel, including a Whiskey Chamber with 400 bottles, whiskey-infused chocolates, and various whiskey-themed events. McLaughlin highlights the economic boost for Carnlough, including job creation and enhanced food and beverage services featuring traditional Irish cuisine and live music.

Whitbread has appointed GMI Construction Group to build its new 229-bedroom Premier Inn on Rochdale Road, near Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Acquired in February 2024, the site will feature an integrated restaurant, bar, and check-in area. The construction, set to begin this autumn, aims to bring the latest Premier Inn amenities, including Premier Plus rooms. This hotel will be Whitbread’s seventh and one of the largest in central Manchester. GMI, having previously collaborated with Whitbread on notable projects, is excited to contribute to Manchester’s skyline with a striking brickwork façade.

Dalata Hotel Group has appointed JPG Group for civil and structural engineering services for a new 154-bedroom hotel near Manchester Airport. The £60m project, part of the MIX Manchester development, aims to contribute £12m annually to the local economy. Designed by KPP Architects, the hotel will be a seven-storey reinforced concrete structure with construction starting later this year and completion expected by late summer 2026. JPG, Dakota Hotels’ strategic partner, is also working on transforming a vacant office building in Newcastle into a luxury waterfront hotel, set to open next spring.

Mar Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort has relaunched its restaurant as Il Posto, serving Italian dishes with a Scottish twist, led by executive head chef Tony Tapia. The new menu offers pizzas, salads, pastas, and Italian desserts, aiming to provide a “modern yet relaxed” dining experience. Additionally, the hotel has refurbished its leisure suite, including a state-of-the-art gym, 20-metre swimming pool, saunas, steam rooms, and an outdoor thermal suite. Tapia is confident that Il Posto will become a favourite for both locals and guests due to its unique culinary offerings and welcoming atmosphere.