Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has launched a £1 million Hotel Development Grant Scheme to support the delivery of new hotel projects and the expansion of existing facilities across the district.

The programme is aimed at addressing the shortage of hotel accommodation, which has been identified as a barrier to growth in the local visitor economy. While the district attracted 1,245,000 overnight stays in 2024, demand continues to outstrip supply, particularly for hotel bed spaces.

The grant scheme will provide funding to businesses and developers for the construction of new hotels and for extending current premises. To qualify, applicants must have been trading for at least three years, and proposals must include the creation of a minimum of 15 bedrooms with a rating of three stars or above.

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Councillor Philip Campbell, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, said: "Newry, Mourne and Down is abundant with rich cultural heritage, outdoor adventure experiences, locally crafted artisan food and drink, world class golf and a vibrant calendar of events and festivals. To capitalise on this quality offering and encourage a greater number of people to stay longer within the district to spend locally, the Hotel Development Grant Scheme will play a vital role in increasing capacity, ultimately boosting our local economy."

Over the coming weeks, the council will be hosting two drop-in sessions and an online workshop to provide further details on the application process. The drop-in information sessions will take place on September 23 from 10am to 12pm in Downpatrick Civic Centre and 2pm to 4pm in Newry Leisure Centre. Interested parties can also join an online session on September 30 from 1pm to 2pm.

Further details on the scheme, including the criteria, applicant guidance notes and the information sessions are available on the council's website.