Out of administration, and with brand new local owners with a long term and ambitious vision, The Balmoral Hotel is back!
Having already reached a key milestone in employing upwards of 100 local people, The Balmoral Hotel now has its sights on continuing to develop as a world-class multi-function hospitality provider, not just for the West, but the whole city and beyond.
To this end the owners have assembled a first class “Team Balmoral” with decades of experience between them in the high end of the hospitality industry. New General Manager David Begley is no stranger to a five star setting, having managed prestigious hotels such as Lough Erne and the Slieve Donard. Mark Skillen – responsible for managing the beverage offering in the Hotel – is well-respected in the local hospitality industry, having managed some of the best known bars in the City for over 25 years.
Co-Owner Pat Walsh is a well-respected local business man, with a lifetime of developing and supporting local jobs.
The refurbed kitchens are now under the charge of development chef Dave Callaghan. They have been enhanced from being merely a top-class menu-driven kitchen to a top class development kitchen, where young aspiring chefs will be taught and developed under the tutelage of Chef Dave. This is where ground-breaking social initiative meets top class cuisine as dozens of aspiring youngsters from many different backgrounds will receive professional guidance and training from some of Ireland’s most experienced culinary experts. The hotel has also unveiled plans to facilitate full training for young people interested in a career in the hospitality industry, and with it a passionate commitment to job creation in the city.
Straight out of the traps, The Balmoral has already made an impression on the public this year, as it starts to forge key partnerships with community stakeholders. The successful partnership with Ireland’s Biggest Community Festival, Féile an Phobail was an eye-catching and hugely successful enterprise which placed The Balmoral as the flagship – and primary functioning hotel – in the west of the city, introducing and playing host to dozens of international visitors to Belfast in considerable style. Nowhere else in the City can locals or visitors alike experience the Céad mile Fáilte or famous hospitality that West Belfast is renowned for.
Pat Walsh said he planned to put The Balmoral Hotel at the forefront of Community, Culture and Tourism in West Belfast. “We’re hugely excited to be up and running as THE flagship hotel for West Belfast. And this is just the start – just like the thousands of people who’ve already enjoyed the Balmoral experience, we’re here to stay!” He also hinted at some of those bigger plans ahead, including one for those who like to eat out “no matter what the weather!”
He added: “Watch this space, because this is just the start for The Balmoral and West Belfast. I’m hugely proud of the team that we have put together for the relaunch of The Balmoral. We’re going to be at the heart of this community, offer world-class hospitality for all, whether you’re here to socialise, get married, have a business breakfast meeting or book a room for a city break. Balmoral is Back, better than ever, and in the business of being the best!”