Iconic venue to shut: Tributes as Park Avenue Hotel closes doors for good

The hotel, based on the Holywood Road, announced the final decision on Facebook last night.

“Evening everyone, just to make everyone aware  that the hotel will not be reopening and this page will be deactivated,” it said in the post”.

It added: “Thank you to everyone, staff included, who has come through the doors over the last 60 years, and take care all valued customers.”

Almost 400 people posted messages of tribute in some 12 hours.

Nicky Thompson said: “I’m gutted for the whole Park Avenue family, cause that’s what it is, it’s a family! I had the pleasure of working on the front desk there for years, I have some amazing memories and made life long friends there! East Belfast will not be the same...”

Tim Loretto added: “I am so sorry to hear this. The place was an absolute icon and a real part of East Belfast history, going back to when I was growing up. Latterly I stayed there whilst visiting friends. Best of luck to all the staff and owners. A sad day.”

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Diane Hunter reminisced that it had been central to many landmarks in her life.

“So, so very sad,” she said. “Had our Wedding Reception here, many meals, birthdays, Glentorn functions and family bereavement gatherings....It’s an East Belfast Institution!”

Carol Magill agreed: “The Park Avenue Hotel was an icon of East Belfast. Great staff who treated locals and visitors alike with professional courtesy and friendliness. The food was always good and you never ever came away from the Park Avenue hungry.”

Like many other hotels, it closed its doors in March due to the pandemic.

Owners Beannchor Group, whose other hotels include the Merchant and Bullitt, released a statement that month saying it was looking at other uses for the hotel site.

“The Park Avenue has unfortunately been struggling for some time, and despite our intervention, business continues to fall behind expectations,” the company said.

“From the outset we were aware of the challenges facing the hotel, and notwithstanding our best efforts, these difficulties persist.

“During this review process, we will continue to strive to ensure the future employment of Park Avenue staff as a priority.”

A current proposal for the site, being taken forward by Holywood Holdings Ltd, is mixed-tenure residential development, comprising social, affordable and private homes,

The 4 star independent hotel billed itself as the closest such facility to George Best Belfast City Airport. It had 56 bedrooms, Gelston’s Corner bar, a restaurant, fitness suite and 16 conference and banqueting suites catering for up to 250 people with free car parking.

It had been a key venue for many political, cultural and sporting events and celebrations over the years.

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