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Ambitious plans to turn the iconic Holy Rosary church in South Belfast into a restaurant have been revealed by Tullymore House.

The hospitality group has acquired the former church and surrounding land on Ormeau Road.

More than £1million will be invested improving and enhancing the site, which has been derelict since 1980, with plans to convert the church building into a restaurant.

More than 40 full and part time jobs will be created once the project is completed, with a further 30 jobs during the construction phase.

Colin Johnston, project manager for Tullymore House Ltd, says the plans will add to the vibrancy of the area.

“We plan to regenerate this section of the Ormeau Road with a sympathetic redevelopment of the building, which has stood on the site since 1898,” he said.

“The Ormeau Road project is part of an ongoing investment programme in the hospitality sector by Tullymore House Ltd, including planned extensions to Fratelli restaurants in Galgorm in Ballymena and Belfast city centre.”

“As a major employer in Belfast and Ballymena, we are committed to the development and enhancement of Northern Ireland’s hospitality offering, and this project is one of a number of expansion plans for 2017.”

Tullymore House Ltd is a major employer in the Northern Ireland hospitality sector, recently investing more than £11 million in a redevelopment programme at Galgorm Resort and Spa.

The company has also developed the successful Fratelli group, with one restaurant located in the four-star Galgorm Resort, and another on Belfast’s Great Victoria Street.

The company have a significant investment programme planned for the Fratelli brand in 2017, totalling more than £1.5 million and creating up to 60 jobs.