THE owners of a Coleraine marina have announced plans for a new floating hotel on the River Bann, two years after their last boat sank.
The Crannagh Marina Complex has acquired a 70 metre barge in Norway, with hopes that a 36-cabin floating hotel could be in operation by the summer of 2021.
One of the owners, Seamus Carey, has said up to 50 jobs could be created, subject to planning approval, in what he claimed would be Ireland’s first floating hotel.
It comes two years after a 36 metre paddle steamer acquired by the same company, sank off the Welsh coast, 200 miles into its journey to Coleraine. The MV Oliver Cromwell had been earmarked for a 15-bed floating hotel.
At the time, Mr Carey said the company would immediately set about sourcing a replacement.
On Wednesday, the Coleraine businessman announced that a 70 metre vessel had been sourced from Norway. He said plans are in place to transport the barge to the north coast for an eight-week refurbishment programme.
Subject to planning approval, it will produce a three-star facility with 36 cabins, a restaurant and a function room. There are also plans for a spa.
Mr Carey said a planning application had been lodged prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Crannagh Marina Complex is currently closed, with all 15 staff furloughed.
Despite the impact of coronavirus on the tourism sector, he is hopeful of a potential surge in ‘staycation’ holidays.
“Prior to the lockdown we were recording record numbers of visitors and were thrilled with the success of the activity centre, restaurant and cabins,” he said.
Mr Carey said plans are place to reopen the existing accommodation and water sports activity centre at the marina at the end of June. He said the company is continuing to monitor the guidelines for restaurants.
