The Grand Central Hotel Belfast

The Club were delighted to warmly welcome speaker Sir William Hastings. Lady Joy his wife, his 3 daughters, Hastings Group Board members and 36 visitors - Past District Governors, Past Presidents, Presidents, Ho.n Secretaries and Rotarians from Antrim, Belfast East, Belfast Fortwilliam, Belfast West, Donaghadee, Lagan Valley and Lisburn Clubs to hear his presentation on the Grand Central Hotel Belfast.

It was a grand meeting in every sense of the word, which even featured candelabra on some of the tables.

Sir William related to the large audience an historical account of the old Grand Central Hotel and brought some memorabilia for members to view. It was particularly of interest as the Club had held its weekly meetings in the Hotel for 44 years from 1927 until it closed in 1971.

He also revealed details of the new Grand Central Hotel to be developed on the old Windsor House site which, he advised, will inherit the legacy of Belfast's Linen Quarter, the site originally being a warehouse. The £35m investment will create over 1000 bedrooms in the Hastings Group – the largest in Ireland. The new Grand Central Hotel itself will have 230 bedrooms. Completion is estimated as Easter 2017.

A lively discussion with many questions and stories followed his presentation.

Past President Gordon Millington proposed a formal Vote of Thanks thanking him for his excellent presentation and his general contribution to the economy.