New 169-room hotel opens in city

The hotel will create 60 new jobs in the Cathedral Quarter

A new hotel opens in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter on Monday which will create 60 jobs.

The 169-bedroom Ramada Encore is part of the redevelopment of the St Anne's Square area.

The external facade of the hotel has been designed to reflect the traditional feel and architecture of the area.

Social Development Minister Margaret Ricthie said such developments were continuing to revitalise the area.

"It is a wonderfully historic area of the city and it is heart-warming to see that developments such as St Anne's continue to further revitalise this lively area," she said.

"The regeneration of our city continues to move forward and despite the economic difficulties we face today, this development will attract greater visitors to the area and help stimulate the evening economy in our city."

Alan Clarke, chief executive of the NI Tourist Board said: "The opening of the Ramada Encore Hotel marks a very exciting time for the Cathedral Quarter as well as the city of Belfast.

"Not only are we delighted to see the creation of 60 new jobs but we will be welcoming leisure and business tourists from around the world."

A report last year showed a decline in hotel trade in Northern Ireland, but businesses said they were still confident of filling rooms, with tourists attracted by a favourable euro/sterling exchange rate.