THE hospitality group which owns the Galgorm Resort & Spa in Ballymena has agreed to buy the Templeton Hotel in Templepatrick and redevelop it in an investment deal worth around £7 million.
And for the Galgorm Collection - previously known as Tullymore House Ltd - it will bring its investment in the tourism and hospitality sector in the last year to £10 million.
The Templeton Hotel, built by Stephen & David McCombe in 1990, is a popular location for weddings, conferences and events.
Its acquisition will add to Galgorm’s suite of hospitality investments, which includes £1.5m in Belfast-based restaurants Fratelli & Café Parisien and the £600,000 purchase and refurbishment last year of the Castle Kitchen + Bar at Galgorm Castle Golf Club.
Galgorm Resort is also set to unveil a number of additional luxury cottages in the estate next month, offering guests a new way to enjoy the Galgorm experience.
As well as supporting its world-class leisure proposition, the move represents a further strategic enhancement of the group’s hospitality assets and reinforces the company’s commitment to the tourism sector.
Managing director Colin Johnston said: "Our investment in Templepatrick will strengthen the local community and economy and cement Northern Ireland’s reputation as a world-class tourism destination.
"The purchase of the Templeton will bring our current employee count to nearly 1,000 people. Over 50 jobs will be created and all current staff will be retained.”
The company is renowned for creating world-class hospitality experiences, and its stellar reputation was also bolstered last year when the Galgorm resort was selected to host one of the world’s most prestigious hospitality award ceremonies, the World Luxury Spa & Restaurant Awards.
