Business

£250,000 investment will boost Newcastle tourism offering

Brothers Charles (left) and James Small (right) pictured with Derick Wilson, business development manager at Ulster Bank
Brothers Charles (left) and James Small (right) pictured with Derick Wilson, business development manager at Ulster Bank Brothers Charles (left) and James Small (right) pictured with Derick Wilson, business development manager at Ulster Bank

AN investment of more than £250,000 in the development of luxury self-catering apartments in Newcastle is likely to boost the short-term holiday let market in the seaside town, its developers claim.

Brothers Charles and James Small, owners of Shimna Café, the generation-old family business based on Main Street, have invested in the conversion of a 3,500 sq ft space above their café into five holiday lets aimed at the growing golf tourism market.

The investment in Blue Door Apartments, which has been backed by Ulster Bank, follows the success of last year's Open championship at Royal Portrush and will contribute to the north’s international appeal as a world-class golf destination.

“We’re positioning the holiday lets for the growing golf tourism market,” Charles Small said.

“These tourists tend to stay longer, so affordability is an important factor in accommodation.

“One of the most scenic and celebrated golf courses in the world, Royal County Down, is right on our doorstep, so we’re in a prime location to benefit from this growing market and to maximise Newcastle’s appeal as an attractive destination for inbound tourists.”

Tourism NI’s golf tourism strategy aims to grow the value of golf tourism in the region to £50m a year and build Northern Ireland’s capacity to host golf events.

Derick Wilson, business development manager at Ulster Bank, said: “We are pleased to support Charles and James to invest in the development of Blue Door Apartments and diversify their business interests in the tourism and hospitality sector.

“Every year Northern Ireland attracts thousands of overseas visitors to play its world-renowned golf courses, and there is huge potential and optimism for the continued growth of the golf tourism market here.”