The opening of a new £15m hotel named after Northern Irish football legend George Best has been delayed after what the developer called "unforeseen building works".
The George Best Hotel was due to open in Belfast's old Scottish Mutual Building last year, but has been hit by delays since.
Liverpool firm Signature Living , which holds a portfolio of properties across the North West city, says it is working with Belfast City Council to "ensure all planning issues and regulations" are addressed.
Signature Living had hoped the 63-bedroom luxury hotel would open in June last year, but subsequent delays have led it to launch an "operational review".
Following the delays, it's been reported that staff hired ahead of the anticipated opening have been offered alternative posts in Liverpool and Cardiff.
A Signature Living statement issued this week to The Caterer website said: “The opening of the George Best Hotel Belfast has been delayed due to unforeseen building works in the restoration process with building regulations and protocols taking longer than had been originally expected.
“As with many listed buildings that we have developed, it is often the case that the restoration process can be a complex one which has to be monitored and adapted through each stage of the development.
“We are working pro-actively with Belfast City Council and its various departments to ensure that all planning issues and regulations are addressed.”
It's also understood a relocation package was offered to employees, meaning they would return to Belfast and the George Best Hotel once an opening date was confirmed. That deal included travel, accommodation and flights.
Signature Living said others who did not opt for the relocation package were being "compensated accordingly and fully supported".
