Work to convert two buildings into boutique hotels in L'Derry has begun.

The former Northern Counties Club on Bishop Street is being converted into a 31 bed hotel, encompassing a restaurant, cookery school and two retail units, while a former bank building in Shipquay Street will be transformed into a 20 bed hotel with a bar and lounge area for both residents and non-residents.

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The Department has provided funding of £595,000 for the hotel on Bishop Street and an additional £770,000 was secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund which is administered by the Walled City Partnership. Department of the Environment’s Northern Ireland Environment Agency has funded £155,000, with the Inner City Buildings Preservation Trust providing the balance.

The Inner City Trust owns the Bishop Street building and is developing it through the Inner City Buildings Preservation Trust, a stand-alone company that aims to restore and reinvigorate vacant buildings within the Walled City.

The work, which is being carried out by Conway Brothers Construction, is expected to be completed by late summer 2015.

(CD/MH)