Challenges clear for new Federation president

Ciaran O’Neill has been busy lately as he takes on the president’s role at the NI Hotels Federation and co-ordinates the opening of new boutique hotel in his native Londonderry. He’s been talking to Russell Campbell…

Tourism in Londonderry is expected to receive a welcome boost, now that a plush new hotel has opened its doors to guests.

Bishop’s Gate is a 32-bedroom boutique hotel that has been built on the site of the former Northern Counties Building by the City Buildings Preservation Trust -an industrious local group that operates under the auspices of the Inner City Trust.

The Grade B1 listed hotel is perfectly positioned within the city’s historic walls in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter. It was built in 1899 and much of the original Edwardian architecture and detail has been preserved during the £6m refurbishment.

The new hotel incorporates three suites as well as a residents’ lounge, a fitness area, the Wig and Gown Champagne Bar and Grill and a ballroom with capacity for 100 guests.

Managing Derry’s latest hospitality arrival is Ciaran O’Neill, the newly-elected president of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, who has returned to his native city to look after his new charge following two years as regional vice-president of operations for Interstate Europe. He was last there as general manager at the City Hotel and previously spent six years managing Garvan O’Doherty’s Ramada Derry hotel.

Speaking recently, Ciaran said that he was really looking forward to the next 12 months:

“The hospitality sector in Northern Ireland has experienced significant investment and development over the course of the last five years and there are significant opportunities to grow and expand our offering,” he added. “I’ve recognised this and it’s part of the reason that I’ve decided to return home to Derry to take up the role of hotel operator for the Bishop’s Gate Hotel

“The Bishop’s Gate Hotel project provides a unique opportunity to create a boutique hotel where the customer experience is a focal point at every step of the journey. As a local person, I genuinely feel honoured to be appointed as the operator by the Inner City Trust to bring this project to life.”

The last few months have been an interesting period in Ciaran’s professional life as he’s also been appointed as the new president of the NIHF, succeeding Park Avenue owner, Mandy Patrick.

And speaking to LCN just before Christmas, Ciaran admitted that since taking over in mid-October “it’s all been just a wee bit hectic”:

“I’m in the role for the next two years along with vice-president Gavin Caroll from The Merchant Hotel, so I think the fate of the Federation is in good hands. We also have four new board members, Stephen Meldrum, Stephen Reddon, Eddie McKeever and Colin Johnston.”

Cairan also said:

“My immediate focus has been on getting the board together. We spent a day at Lough Erne where we discussed our Tourism 2020 strategy document. That’s something we’re going to be revisiting so we can make sure that we’re steering the ship along the right lines.

“Also, I’ve been involved with Mandy Patrick in briefing MLAs on issues around VAT and taxation and Janice Gault [NIHF chief executive] has been giving evidence to the NI Affairs Committee on VAT. It was Mandy who brought this campaign to the forefront and now we want to make sure that it doesn’t go off the boil.

“VAT is nine per cent in the south and that is where the struggle is. This gives them an advantage that they can reinvest in their businesses and in training, creating happier staff and stronger sales and we want to keep the focus on that in the next year.”

Looking further ahead to other issues he’s likely to encounter during his time in office, Ciaran said that he felt it was likely that many members would struggle with forthcoming changes to the regulations around the minimum wage:

“We’re looking at wage increases of up to 30 per cent between now and 2020,” he warned. “We all agree with creating a living wage if it means more disposable income for people, but I think in Northern Ireland’s case, it’s going to be very difficult for our members to increase their prices in line with this. We’re all trying to maintain a margin and if they have to pay an extra 30 per cent, as with any business, then they are going to struggle. It’s going to be a real challenge for them.”

Cairan also expressed his thanks to the previous two incumbents, Mandy Patrick and James McGinn and thanked members for all their support over the last 12 months, particularly during the Hospitality Exchange event at the Europa in October.

“I think that the focus for me going forward has got to be on making sure that I represent the members and that we keep the NIHF to the forefront,” he added. “I think the challenges are clear for Gavin and myself and the board in terms of carrying forward the good work that’s been done.

“Among my priorities will be a focus on tourism skills. I’m currently sitting on a committee with the Department of Employment and Learning and a number of other partners and we have a major focus on skills.”

He promised that the Federation would continue to work on the Five T’s – the five areas where it believes it can work with government and the industry to effect greater change – tourism, taxation, targets, trading and training.

“Belfast has seen a lot of investment and members are continuing to invest in their products, but it is outside Belfast and Dublin that the challenge remains,” added Cairan. “I’m not saying it’s all doom and gloom, but if you have a high bedroom mix then you’ll potentially struggle outside of Belfast where a good food and beverage mix is better, but that’s where they feel the pinch in terms of margin and the minimum wage.”