THE company behind one of south Belfast’s best known pubs is set to expand its presence on the Malone Road.
Sinnott Property Services, which runs The Botanic Inn, has secured planning approval to convert two adjacent townhouses into a new bar and restaurant.
Belfast City Council’s planning committee has signed off on the proposal to transform 29-31 Malone Road from a club and offices to a licensed restaurant and public house, including terrace to the front.
The plans will also facilitate a two-storey extension built to the rear of the three-storey properties.
One of the townhouses has a long association with the Financial Services Union, which operated the 'Bankers Club' from 31 Malone Road.
The second building has been used in recent years as serviced office space.
Approval for the new restaurant plans at the Malone Road premises comes less than four months after The Barking Dog restaurant closed next door.
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Its chef proprietor, Michael O’Connor, said it had “just become impossible to keep the doors open”.
The Botanic Inn, better known as ‘The Bot’, belongs to one of Belfast’s best known hospitality families.
The Mooney family, which also owns the Armagh City Hotel and The Wellington Park Hotel next door, brought the popular Malone Road pub back into its portfolio in 2016.
The pub belongs to subsidiary Cathal GM Ltd, which in turn leases the venue to Sinnott Property Services.
The company’s directors include Margaret Sinnott, daughter of Cathal and Margaret Mooney, who ran the hotel group for the second half of the 20th century.
Ms Sinnott is also a director of Dunadry Development Company, which owns the Wellington Park Hotel.
Earlier this year, the Mooney family managed to steer the company out of insolvency proceedings after completing a company voluntary arrangement (CVA).
Belfast City Council’s planning report into Sinnott Property Service's proposal reveal two objections were received.
One questioned why the project was not being described as an extension of The Botanic Inn.
In response, the case officer said: “While there is an internal door into the neighbouring premises, the building contains a main door to the Malone Road and the description adequately describes the proposed development and change of use.”
