THE Rosspark Hotel in Kells, Co Antrim has gone on the market.
It comes as well-known hospitality figure Keith Carmichael, who bought the 39-bedroom venue in 1999, announced he is to retire.
Set on a 10 acre site around six miles from Ballymena, the Carmichael Group said around £3 million had been invested in the wedding venue over the past two decades.
The Carmichael Group has also drawn up plans for an additional 38 bedrooms, 17 new two-bed cottages and a new spa facility with a swimming pool.
The group’s hospitality portfolio in the Belfast and North Down area includes the Bryansburn Inn, which is operated by Keith’s brother Ian Carmichael. A number of its other venues are currently leased up, including Pug Uglys, The Groomsport Inn, The Stables, and The Esplanade.
Originally from Cookstown, the Carmichaels' father Norman previously ran the Glenavon House Hotel in the Co Tyrone town.
Their hospitality portfolio down the years also included Morrisons in Belfast and the Tidy Doffer restaurant outside Hillsborough,
“I am very proud to see how the Rosspark has grown and developed over the last 24 years, whilst continuing to be a popular destination for families and friends to come together for special occasions,” said Keith.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed developing the hotel along with my family and the great team we have been fortunate to have working with us at the hotel.
“The time has now come for me to think about my retirement and start the process for this and enable the new owner to take the Rosspark to the next stage of its development.”
The sale is being handled by property consultant Gavin Weir from Avison Young in Belfast.
“This is a unique opportunity for someone to build on the great work that has been done over the last number of years at the Rosspark Hotel,” he said.
“Opportunities like this rarely become available on the open market and we anticipate a significant level of interest from locally based hotel groups as well as parties based in the UK and Republic of Ireland who will see this as chance to enter the Northern Ireland market and hit the ground running without the time delay and onerous costs that come with a new build project.”
