Port Hotel Licence Protection Order Granted by Court Ahead of Proposed Takeover

A six-month protection order has been granted for the liquor licence at the Port Hotel in Portrush following an application at Coleraine Magistrates' Court.

The application was made on behalf of Curry Properties Ltd by barrister Alan Stewart as part of the company's proposed purchase of the hotel, subject to the completion of the necessary legal processes.

The court heard that all required documentation had been submitted, including the original liquor licence, company records, title deeds and confirmation from the Police Service of Northern Ireland that it had no objection to the application.

Mr Stewart told the court the hotel had previously been owned by Mark Johnson and the late Robert Torrens. Following Mr Torrens' death, ownership transferred to Joan Torrens in November 2022, with the business continuing to operate under that arrangement.

Giving evidence, Owen Curry, a director of Curry Properties Ltd, confirmed that he and his wife, Jacqueline Curry, are the company's directors and have entered into an agreement to purchase the hotel.

Mr Curry told the court that his family has been involved in the hospitality industry for four generations. He also confirmed the family owns and operates Curry's Fun Park in Portrush, alongside other businesses elsewhere on the island of Ireland.

The court heard that approximately 30 members of staff are employed at the hotel and that Curry Properties Ltd intends to retain the existing workforce following completion of the purchase.

Mr Curry also confirmed that neither he nor his wife has any criminal convictions. The court was told that a separate application to formally transfer the liquor licence into the company's name will be made in due course.

Granting the application, the judge said all of the required documentation had been produced, the original licence had been lodged and there were no objections from police. The six-month protection order was granted to allow the premises to continue trading while the licence transfer process is completed.

The court heard that the new owners hope to complete the takeover and begin operating the hotel from Wednesday. A further application to transfer the liquor licence is expected to come before the court at a later date.

Welcoming the development, Alderman Mark Fielding said: "This is a very welcome application for Portrush and it's encouraging to see further investment in the town. The applicants, who also own Curry's Fun Park, have demonstrated their confidence in Portrush. Hopefully this will be another positive development for the town and its tourism offering."