The family-owned hotelier group behind Armagh City Hotel have now announced an additional £4 million investment plan which will see a brand new “concept” bar unveiled just in time for Christmas.
McKeever Hotels acquired the expansive city centre property this time last year. And in that 12 month period have already splashed a substantial £1.6 million pound investment into refurbishing the ground floor syndicate rooms, the Fisher Suite conference room and bedroom corridors, doors and locks.
The group’s ethos is very much community centred, with an emphasis in people – both those who work for the group and those who patronise it.
As such, when the McKeever family took ownership of Armagh City Hotel they immediately published a digital survey – with the help of Armagh I – to ask the public for their opinion of where that £1.6 million would best be spent.
That feedback undoubtedly shaped their plans… and indeed, continues to as the company set aside yet another hefty sum for works.
That new £4 million pot will be pumped into renovating the leisure and fitness suite, a refurbishment of the Fringe Lounge (The Bunker), the lobby and reception area and into – what is expected to be the jewel in the Armagh City Hotel’s crown – the development of an exciting new conceptual bar space, The Meridian.
Speaking in turn at a Strategic Meeting in the Fisher Suite on Wednesday April 22, the McKeever family delved into their family journey as hoteliers and outlined in detail their plans for the space.
As Chairman of McKeever Group – and head of the household – Eugene McKeever MBE recalled with fondness and pride their 40 year journey in business.
Telling a room of approximately 200 guests, Eugene explained that when he and his wife Catherine sold their home to buy Granagh House he would have scarcely thought that some day their team of three staff would grow to be over 640 across seven hotels both North and South of the border.
But, he said, “we didn’t do it alone!” Eugene gave thanks to the role of customers, staff, businesses, suppliers, councils, banks and countless others who supported and advised the family over those years.
Son and Managing Director, Eddie McKeever followed his father’s introduction to provide an overview of their portfolio and experience in renovating and refurbishing hotels.
Among them, Eddie stressed the stellar achievement with The Dunadry Hotel, Antrim which was brought up from “falling off the radar” before they bought it to now standing proudly as a four star luxury hotel replete with spa rooms and a newly added wine tasting cellar.
He emphasised that seeing Granagh House become “the heart of the community” is something they now carry through to all their hotels.
The message, “Hospitality – that’s what we do. The people – that’s who we are.” Eddie explained: “We believe hospitality has the power to change lives and communities.
“I firmly believe a rising tide lifts all boats and we have seen this on numerous occasions across our group. As our group strengthens it really strengthens the communities, as we call them, our own.
“We shared our vision with the staff and they have really taken it on board and pushed it on. We are delighted to say the original management team are still with us and still bought in to making this hotel one of the best on the island of Ireland.”
Making Armagh City Hotel a standout destination as “one of the best on the island of Ireland”, was meant to be his sister and Director of Sales and Marketing, Brigene’s line!
While joking that the Managing Director had “stolen her line”, Brigene expanded upon that very notion, adding: “We want to create a space where locals feel at home and where visitors admire.
“We are going to train, develop, invest in communities, in the property and in this city. To date, with the assistance of Visit Armagh – the city has welcomed 46 international agents to see what the city has to offer.”
The financial commitment over the next four years will see the development of the hotel to 4-star status, she added.
Starting with the Fringe Lounge in the next number of weeks, the group plan to create a new suite that can accommodate sit-down dinner for 200 guests acting as an extension to the newly refurbished Fisher Suite.
Artist impression of The Meridian
Moving to the gym and leisure centre – which serves 700 members – the family plan to redo the entire swimming and thermal areas with the fitness suite included in plans. At this stage they can only estimate the commencement of work in the next couple of months.
The lobby and lounge area is something Brigene said the family was “passionate about” from the very beginning.
Planning permission has now been obtained to replace the existing “heavy doors” at the entrance with new automatic doors and the attendee at the meeting were shown stunning artist impressions by designer Brenda Malligan of a new, high-class entrance and lobby space.
The reception will be moved closer to the door to allow gives space to develop a community meeting space with “intimate areas” for coffees and dining.
Then came the real talking point… the plans for Spires Bar.
The area previously acted as an “overflow” for the Callan Bar but it offered opportunity to be a standout space all on its own… and the public knew it.
Said Brigene: “When we came here, we wanted to know what people wanted and the thing that kept coming up was there was no good design bars where you could go with friends, take business people, acquaintances like other cities had.”
McKeever Group liaised with their supplier, Drinksology – who are also an award-winning design company who contributed to designing The Dead Rabbit bar in New York – to come up with a concept for the area.
The design is the first Drinksology have ever done for a bar in Northern Ireland. The McKeevers wanted something that was “true” to Armagh and Drinksology responded with flair!
“Armagh has such a great connection to space and time… which helped ships navigate the world… and therefore we are proud to introduce, The Meridian,” said Brigene.
A video showcasing artist impression images of the new space regarded The Meridian as a “space designed to bring people together”.
It continued: “Before the world had a standard, Armagh had it’s own and meridian… a point of reference.”
Artist impression of The Meridian
Brigene said the family and staff are “very excited about this concept” which is now in the final stages of tendering.
Explaining the concept in more detail, she said: “The meridian runs between the north and south poles and when the sun crosses its line that’s known as local noon. Armagh has it’s own historic meridian line and we believe that that is one of the biggest things that connect time, space, navigation and global travel.”
In return for their investment, Brigene asked graciously: “What I’m going to ask today is that you support us and help us. We want to raise Armagh city to the highest level we can get it to. We are investing £4m and we need your support help and, above all, your patience as we go on this capex journey.”
Lord Mayor Stephen Moutray thanked the family and team for sharing their capex plans “so openly”.
He added: “What has come through so clearly this morning is not just the hotel’s investment plans but the people, the values, the pride held behind a family-owned business built on genuine hospitality and strong connections to the communities that you operate in.”
The Lord Mayor regarded the hotel as a “hugely important asset” to the city and the wider borough, playing a “vital role” in supporting tourism, helping visitors to stay longer and fully enjoy everything the borough has to offer.
Importantly, it supports local jobs and local suppliers, said the Lord Mayor and in many ways a “cornerstone of our tourism infrastructure”.
General Manager – with over 20 years experience in Armagh City Hotel – Henk Compier also expressed his excitement and delight, commenting: “Over that time I have seen it grow and evolve and over the last year being part of the McKeever Group has been an exciting new chapter.
“It’s been a pleasure working alongside such a passionate and forward thinking team.”
He thanked the family for their “belief” in the property and said “this is just the beginning… there will be plenty more to come”.
