Leading group Andras Hotels has cut the ribbon on its first hotel outside of Belfast.

An event was held to mark the official opening of the Riverside Hotel Coleraine, delivered by Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Ivor Wallace.

The hotel, which is located at the Riverside Retail Park in Coleraine, was acquired by the hotel group at the start of the year and has undergone a refurbishment and rebrand as the Riverside Hotel.

Director of Andras Hotels, Rajesh Rana, said: "It is great to be opening a hotel in Causeway Coast and Glens area after such a long period of being solely Belfast-based. This opening marks the start of a major investment by our company in the north coast, which is the epicentre of tourism in Northern Ireland."

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The Northern Ireland hotel group is moving forward with new developments, with work taking place on site for the refurbishment of the former Northern Bank on Main Street in Portrush. When complete, this £2.5 million development will provide six luxury serviced apartments, with a café bar in the former banking hall, and is expected to open in September.

Speaking about the company's growth plans, Mr Rana continued: "This summer we will begin work on a new hotel at the L'Derry Arms site, also at Main Street in Portrush. This project will provide modern 4-star tourism accommodation in the heart of Portrush and will bring international visitors to visit and stay in the town. Our economists have projected the hotel will contribute £1.6 million to the local economy every year and add £1.1 million tourism spend locally. This hotel will open its doors in January 2025 in order to be up and running in time for The Open championship that summer.

"We are fully committed to growing the base of tourism accommodation in the north coast and investing in the area. There is such great potential in the Causeway Coast and Glens area, and we are excited and honoured to be able to contribute to the growth of the area."