March 2025


Grand Central Hotel Launches Express Business Lunches


THE Grand Central Hotel has launched a new Express Lunch following a continued increase in the number of business customers visiting the hotel. The new Express Lunch, available in the Seahorse Lounge on the first floor, includes soup and a selection of finger sandwiches for £15. Damian Tumilty, Executive Head Chef of the Grand Central Hotel said: “To accommodate the needs of our growing business clientele, many of which don’t have hours to spend over lunch, we have created an Express Lunch, perfect for those needing something to eat while on the hop, for the guests working over their lunch or having a meeting and want a nice meal they can enjoy in under an hour. The Seahorse provides an impressive setting, a great menu and there really is no better place to do business in Belfast.”


www.nitravelnews.com


Tourism NI Launches Accommodation Certification Campaign Ahead of The Open


TOURISM Northern Ireland has urged


accommodation providers planning to rent out their properties for The Open this summer to get certified.


Taking place at Royal Portrush Golf Club from July 13-20, the world-class event is expected to draw unprecedented crowds to the North Coast. In preparation, Tourism NI has launched a


new accommodation certification campaign to ensure providers are Open-ready for The Championship.


It is legal requirement that all visitor accommodation in Northern Ireland must be certified by Tourism NI, even if they are let on an ad-hoc basis.


Such legislation ensures that all providers comply with relevant regulations, operate on a level playing field, maintain quality standards, and instil consumer confidence in our tourism offerings. More importantly,


THE LOCAL TOURIST | 47


property and its facilities by a member of the Tourism NI team. Proprietors can also receive operational and marketing advice during the certification process. The new industry-wide campaign, which


operating without


certification could result in legal action against the operator and reputational damage to the wider industry. The certification process includes a physical inspection of the


is being supported by the Northern Ireland Fire


and Rescue Service (NIFRS) and


Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council (CCGBC), emphasises the importance of legal operation and the simplicity of the


Belfast City Celebrates Fifth Year in a Row for Purple Flag Status new research


BELFAST City Centre is celebrating the renewal of its Purple Flag status for the fifth year in a row. The accreditation is awarded by the Association of Town and City Management and was led by the city’s multi-agency Purple Flag steering group, which includes the city’s three Business Improvement Districts – LQ BID, Belfast One and Destination CQ. The announcement follows the appointment of Michael Stewart as the city’s first-ever Night Czar in June 2024. Funded by the city’s BIDs, the Night Czar


position was


created to support the development of Belfast after-dark, with Michael taking on the role as “voice of the night time economy”. He works across four priority areas – improved transport provision, the return of Culture Night, reform of Pavement Café


Licensing and and


promoting an end to violence against women


girls.


In line with these efforts, a Night Czar website has now been launched, serving as a central hub for the industry and wider night-time economy stakeholders to keep up to date with developments.


Michael said that whilst achieving the Purple Flag is important, there is work yet to


be


done. He explained, “The continued renewal of Belfast’s Purple Flag status highlights not only the value in our night-time offer, but the incredible work being done to ensure our city remains a safe, welcoming, and dynamic place at night. However, there are challenges that are preventing us from reaching our full potential.


I’m pleased that


the Assembly discussed the nighttime economy last week, it’s incredibly important that we continue to shine a light on its value to secure the needed improvements.”


Introduced by Philip Brett


MLA, the Assembly’s discussion on the night-time economy took place on February 4. It brought attention to the key interventions needed including better supports for hospitality businesses,


into Belfast’s


night-time economy will help everyone understand its value. He said, “The BIDs and the Department for the Economy have co-funded new research into the scale, scope,


economic impact of our night- time economy, ensuring we can truly understand its value and apply data-driven strategies for its continued growth. “Purple Flag status proves Belfast City is a place worth


Corr, and


certification process. David Roberts, Director of Strategic Development at Tourism NI, said: “We saw growth in visitor accommodation in the area to meet the needs of people coming to The Open in 2019.


“It is really important that anyone providing


visitor accommodation is


calling for investment in bus and rail services and better supports for taxi drivers. Damien


Managing


Director of Destination CQ, explained that Translink has now submitted a business case for the creation of a year-round late-night public transport service.


He said, “The success of the extended Christmas service, which saw approximately 17,000 passengers using late- night


across bus and rail


provision.


year-round The


transport networks,


demonstrates the clear demand for


Purple Flag Steering Group fully supports calls for enhanced provision – to bring safety and dependability


for


the workers and the patrons who fuel the night-time economy year-round.” Martina Connolly, CEO at Belfast One, said the Purple Flag is something the city can be truly proud of. She said, “Retaining our Purple Flag status is a testament to the collaborative efforts of all within


and greater late-night travel provision.


Phillip Brett MLA said, “Belfast’s ambition is clear. It is captured perfectly by the Purple Flag group, and we should all try to match that ambition.” It was also noted that the


night-time economy accounts for approximately 40,000 employees, consists of 5,000 separate businesses across the region and has an estimated annual value of £3.3 billion. As Chris McCracken, Managing Director of LQ BID, and Chair of the Purple Flag Steering Group,


investing in. But we must all share in the long-term vision by addressing the challenges that hold us back. After all, the economic, cultural and social fabric of our city is defined by our collective night- time economy – now is the time for policy intervention to ensure we keep moving forward to protect jobs, and Belfast’s reputation as a destination both locally and internationally.”


Whilst transport is just one area of current focus, stakeholders across the night- time economy see


it said, as a critical part and are urgently


our night-time economy. We can be proud that we are continuing to shape Belfast’s reputation. “Market research indicates Purple Flag status


brings


numerous benefits including a positive public image, patronage,


increased expenditure, lower crime


rates, and of course, a thriving and sustainable economy. It’s important we continue to collaborate for the betterment of Belfast so people can paint the town purple in our thriving theatres, bars, hotels, restaurants,


cinemas and shops for long to come.”


certified in good time ahead of The Open coming back to Royal Portrush in July. We don’t want anyone looking to offer visitor accommodation to miss out by not being certified. “The process of applying for certification is straightforward and can be completed online. A certificate lasts for four years so it will be in place whether you are looking to offer stays on an ad-hoc or a more long- term basis”.


Aidan McPeake, Director of


Environmental Services at CCGBC, said: “We are excited to welcome The 153rd Open back to Portrush in July, with preparations well underway. I encourage all property owners within the Borough considering letting their property to visitors to ensure they are certified by Tourism NI and take advantage of the advice and support available.” Andy McKeown from the NIFRS, said:


“We are delighted to collaborate with Tourism NI to promote fire safety in tourist accommodations.


“It is your responsibility to protect people


using the premises from the risk of fire. This can be achieved by carrying out a fire risk assessment, ensuring sufficient smoke alarms are installed and operational, ensuring occupants know what to do in the event of a fire, and ensuring your premises meet the required standards of fire safety.”


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