Beannchor – Northern Ireland’s largest hospitality group – is celebrating the long service of 85 staff. Bucking industry trends for high staff turnover, Beannchor has inspired an enviable culture of staff retention and career progression, with almost one tenth of its employees now having racked up over 10 years of service.
Founded over 45 years ago, Beannchor’s diverse portfolio includes The Merchant Hotel and Bullitt, Belfast venues, The National, The Dirty Onion, The Second Fiddle, and Ulster Sports Club, 10 Little Wing Pizzerias, as well as Jenny Watts in Bangor, and The Hillside in Hillsborough. The group, which employs over 900 people across its estate of popular hotels, restaurants and bars, hosted a special event in The Merchant Hotel this week recently to celebrate its long-serving staff.
The first Beannchor Gold Club celebration took place in 2023, celebrating milestone anniversaries of the company. The celebration has taken place annually each May since. In 2025, 85 members of staff marked double digit years of service, with colleagues celebrating 10, 15, 20 years – and in 2025, for the first time – 25 years of service.
Speaking after the event, managing director Bill Wolsey honoured the important contribution made by Beannchor’s people. “Northern Ireland’s world-famous hospitality is created by the passion, enthusiasm and relentless pursuit of perfection we witness day in, day out from our staff. It is an immense source of pride for us that so many people have chosen to start and continue to build their careers with Beannchor.”
In April, Beannchor confirmed plans to begin a new multimillion pound aparthotel development on Ann Street in Belfast. The sympathetic restoration project centres on the entries linking Ann Street with High Street, which hold significant historical significance. The plans include a 40-bedroom aparthotel, a larger Little Wing Pizzeria and an expanded bar to replace the current licensed premises within the building. Subject to planning, work will begin in the next 12 months. It’s anticipated the project will create in the region of 50 new jobs.
For further information about Beannchor careers, visit www.beannchor.com