A Mid-Ulster company has announced plans to build a new hotel in Co Antrim.

Genmark Developments has acquired a 1.5-acre site at George Street in Ballymena and said it was confident the site should get the green light from planners.

A spokesman for the company confirmed it was in "exploratory discussions" with a number of hotel operators with a view to deciding on the best way to develop the location.

One of the options on the table is for a multi-million pound project comprising a 3+ star economy hotel with 72 rooms and office accommodation.

The spokesman described the site as the "gateway to Ballymena" and said he believed there would be strong interest from potential hotel groups.

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"Our research shows a significant market demand for a town centre hotel capable of catering for the great numbers of business executives who work with local companies and have a requirement for good quality, accessible and value for money accommodation," the spokesman said.

"We are currently in exploratory discussions with a number of operators who have shown an interest in our concept and our preferred option is to identify one organisation with whom we can partner to bring the project to fruition.

"Ballymena is a thriving town and while there is a range of existing hotel accommodation available we believe our proposition complements what is currently on offer.

"From the unofficial discussions we have had with public representatives we are also convinced there is a strong appetite for a hotel to be built on this site as it will also act as a magnet for incoming business and tourism traffic," he added.

Genmark said the initial concept drawings would be subject to modification if and when a suitable hotel operator came on board.

The company said it planned to make an initial planning application "in the very near future" and would be consulting with a range of statutory and non-statutory consultees as part of the process.

(NS/BMcC)