Floating hotel planned for River Bann in Coleraine

It would take the form of a 70-metre barge – to be imported from Norway – which would be capable of providing overnight accommodation on the River Bann in Coleraine.

The application has been filed by the owners of the Cranagh Marina Complex in Coleraine. If approved, the vessel will have 36 cabins, a restaurant, function room and will create 50 new jobs.

Seamus Carey, owner of Cranagh Marina Complex, has identified a barge, which is currently moored in Norway, for the project.

He plans to transport it to Northern Ireland where it will undergo an eight-week refurbishment programme.

There is also scope to introduce a spa facility should the application get the green light.

Mr Carey, who filed the application prior to the Covid-19 crisis, said: “The Cranagh has seen a steady increase in visitors over the last number of years and has become a destination on the North Coast offering excellent facilities for the entire family.

“Since 2016 we have won several tourism and visitor attraction awards and have been awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence every year since 2017.

“We believe the floating hotel will enhance our offering and enable visitors to stay and enjoy not only the facilities at The Cranagh but all the wonderful offerings of the North Coast.”

Despite lockdown he remained upbeat: “This is a really exciting time for us. Prior to the lockdown we were recording record numbers of visitors and were thrilled with the success of the Activity Centre, restaurant and cabins.

“We will also be announcing a number of exciting new developments at The Cranagh in the near future and this will undoubtedly further increase the profile of this wonderful destination.”

When completed, the barge will be a three-star facility and employ around 50 full- and part-time staff members.

Cranagh Marina Complex, like many visitor attractions here, has had to close down during the Covid-19 crisis. The complex has furloughed all 15 staff members there.

Mr Carey said: “We took the step to close the restaurant and accommodation at the start of March. The activity centre was due to open at the beginning of April, but we have postponed opening until the guidelines permit, which we hope will be around the end of June.”

Looking to the future of the site as restrictions are eased he said: “The restaurant will be among the last business sectors to open in line with government guidelines. We have plans in place to comply with social distancing and customer/staff safety once we reopen the restaurant.

“We plan to open the accommodation and activity centre towards the end of June, in accordance with procedures issued by Stormont and national governing bodies.”