FAMILY-owned Portrush department store The White House is progressing with the next stage of a £1.5 million development programme, which will focus on the refurbishment of its popular Trocadero restaurant.
The restaurant space will temporarily close until March 31 to allow the network of local trade businesses employed by Ulster Stores to complete the refurbishment works.
And when the eaterie reopens, it will employ an additional 10 staff.
The latest project will bring the total investment to £1.5m for The White House Portrush over the last three years, with work taking place in various stages to minimise disruption to customers.
The most recent completion last year launched a new art deco feel and design for the first-floor womenswear department in-store.
Supporting local, the design team is led by Alan Irwin of Montgomery Irwin Architects in Coleraine while the building contract is awarded to Ballymena firm Elmwood Construction. Well-known local man Simon Clarke has also provided a consultancy role on operations and new menus.
Ulster Stores owner Neville Moore said: “This is another exciting development for the White House, where the restaurant transformation promises an unrecognisable dining space.
“We've been working hard behind the scenes and are excited for our customers, visitors and staff to experience a beautiful new setting which will embrace the original character, charm and familiarity that people love about the White House.
“Renovations will provide an entirely new design and layout for Trocadero Restaurant which will help us to better cater for our customers’ needs, enhancing our current offering to another level in terms of appearance, quality of food and service through providing a larger restaurant space and state of the art kitchen facilities.”
The 10 new restaurant jobs bring the overall payroll to more than 300 across the group's four stores at the White House Portrush, Moores of Coleraine, Clares Llandudno and de Gruchy St Helier.
