Recruitment is now underway at a new venue on the site of what was to become George Best Hotel in Belfast city centre.
It was announced last year that the listed Scottish Mutual Building on Donegall Square South is to be transformed into a luxury five-star hotel by Co Derry developer Martin Property Group.
The property was previously proposed as the George Best Hotel, but the company behind it fell into administration. Having been rescued by the Martin Group, it will be relaunched as the Bedford Hotel, opening later in 2025.
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A new advert has now appeared on the building advertising that recruitment is now underway on its website.
Martin Property Group submitted a full planning application for their project in February 2024, which will see a 102-bedroom hotel developed, with bars, restaurants and a ground floor extension.
Bedford Hotel Limited, the company behind the proposal for the George Best Hotel, was placed into administration in 2020. It had been part of the overall Signature Living collection of companies, which was run by Liverpool developer Lawrence Kenwright.
Martin Property Group has an extensive property portfolio across the UK and Ireland and is developing several buildings in Belfast and Derry. The firm bought the Scottish Mutual Building for £5.5 million in December 2022 following a bidding process and immediately announced plans for a new high-end boutique hotel.
Focus Hotels has secured the management contract for The Bedford Hotel. It marks the first entry into the Northern Ireland market for the English company.
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