Andras House, Belfast’s biggest hotel group has announced the launch of two new city centre budget hotels under the international Ibis brand, representing a £12million investment into the city and creating over 50 new jobs. Ibis Belfast City Centre, located on the corner of Castle Street and King Street in Belfast and Ibis Queens Quarter, situated in University Street in the city, represent a significant vote of confidence for Northern Ireland’s burgeoning tourism sector from Accor, a leading global hotel group and player in the international hospitality market with over 4,000 hotels worldwide. The hotels were officially unveiled by Arlene Foster, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment today in Belfast.Lord Diljit Rana, Chairman and Chief Executive of Andras House, Belfast’s biggest hotel group was responsible for securing the international Ibis brand for Northern Ireland. The company currently operates some of the best-known worldwide hotel brands in Belfast, including the Ramada Hotel, Days Hotel and Express by Holiday Inn. Andras House has built and will operate the hotels under franchise.

Today marked the unveiling of a stunning ‘New Chapter’ in the story of Northern Ireland’s spectacular Merchant Hotel. The five star establishment, set in the heart of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, revealed dramatic plans for a new £16million extension set to create 100 new jobs and incorporating a new luxury spa, decadent jazz bar, roof top garden, new conference and event facilities, a state of the art gymnasium and 38 new bedrooms which will be the largest guest rooms available in Belfast at 42m².Due for completion in Summer 2010, the impressive development is set to further transform the historical Cathedral Quarter in Belfast city centre with The Merchant Hotel now occupying an entire city block from Waring Street, through Skipper Street and High Street.The expansive extension was part of The Merchant Hotel’s owner Bill Wolsey’s long term vision for
the ground-breaking luxury hotel.

Peter Corry and his production company PC Productions, will be presenting the fully staged production of their magical Christmas show, ‘The Music Box’, in association with Ulster Operatic Company this December. The festive wonder, sure to deliver a breathtaking display of local talent, will be show-cased against the magical backdrop of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum between the15th – 19th December 2009.The captivating event is anticipated to be the ultimate Christmas musical experience and simply one of the most exciting Christmas Spectacular shows ever to visit Belfast. Peter will be performing in, as well as producing and directing ‘The Music Box’, which will be showing at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum between the15th – 19th December. Tickets are available by contacting Ticketmaster (0844 277 44 55 or www.ticketmaster.co.uk) or the Odyssey Box Office (028 9073 9074).

Its official - The spectacular Merchant Hotel is the ‘World’s Best Hotel Bar’. The five star establishment, set in the heart of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, was awarded the prestigious accolade at the recent world famous, internationally acclaimed Spirit Awards, as part of the ‘Tales of the Cocktail Festival’ in New Orleans.

The luxury hotel, regularly frequented by celebrities visiting the city, also walked away with the title of ‘World’s Best Cocktail Menu’ and ‘World’s Best Drinks Selection’. The hat-trick of success means the hotel is the only venue globally, to win three world-class awards, in the history of the New Orleans event.

Sean Muldoon, Bar Manager and Mixologist at The Merchant Hotel is pictured with bartender Lisa Gowdy and General Manager Adrian McLaughlin.

Due to considerable growth and advancement since its inception in 2005, Peach Public Relations has announced that it will be re-branding to LJK (Larkin Jago Keane) Communications.
Over the last four years the company has expanded by some 200%, with corporate PR & public sector communications now making up a significant part of the business. Although the agency has evolved to meet the communications demands of the Northern Ireland business community, under new branding it will continue to offer communication strategies, campaign delivery and event management services to consumer clients. It is hoped that the new name and brand identity will strengthen the agency’s integrated communications offering.
We are very proud of our achievements as Peach Public Relations and are very much looking forward to mirroring the same successes and acclaim going forward.