The Railway Hotel, Enniskillen RMGFH55
A LANDMARK hotel in Enniskillen is to go under the hammer later this month, just seven months after it was previously sold to a local businessman.
Kesh property developer David Mahon acquired the Railway Hotel and adjoining Ritz Cinema back in August after it had been up for sale for a collective £400,000. Now the Forthill Street property is set to be auctioned just before Easter with a maximum reserve of £220,000.
Speaking this week, Mr Mahon said he was taking the decision to sell after a number of negotiations to develop the hotel fell through:
“I had a couple of people interested but in the end nothing came of it. I couldn’t wait any longer so that’s why I have decided to sell. It’s a good time to sell and the property has a lot of potential so I’m happy enough to part with it. I still intend to develop the cinema site and there are several plans in the pipeline,” he said.
The property had been linked with a number of budget hotel chains and it was hoped that the Railway Hotel could attract the interest of outside companies.
The hotel had been in existence for 130 years, while the Ritz cinema, opened in 1954, closed its doors in 1992. It has 20 ensuite bedrooms arranged over the ground and three upper floors along with a bar, restaurant and function room. It is being auctioned by Belfast-based estate agents Lambert Smith Hampton who have stated that its prominent position in Enniskillen town centre makes it an “ideal owner occupier or investor purchase”. Their brochure also notes that “the property is in need of some modernisation throughout”.
Before it closed last August, the Railway was jointly owned by two business partners, James Crozier and Owen McKenna who took the decision to sell on health grounds.
The partners had run the Railway for the previous 16 years, having acquired it from Peter and Imelda Byrne who were its owners from January 1976.
All four were very popular and well-liked by the clientele and its proximity to the old mart made it a popular choice with farmers and their families.
The auction will take place on Thursday, March 24th at the Europa Hotel, Belfast at 10.45am.
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